Volunteer Reflections
GREEN EGGS AND MEAT By: Jenny
Green eggs and meat…..she called out when asked to name a Dr. Seuss book during reading time at the inner-city preschool where I spend my days as a CCSC member. I just chuckled under my breath and made a point to write it down later in my journal. Now looking back that phrase is just so symbolic on a variety of levels for our community.
First, there is the obvious imperfection of the phrase. As she shouted in a knowing voice, she stood firm with no realization of error. And oh, how we have all done that same thing. So often stuck in our thought of how things are or “should be,” we speak with no intent to listen. And as a community you will get nowhere if you do not stop and listen. For me this year has been a very humbling experience – stopping admitting I am wrong and listening. It is not easy especially when all you want is for people to see it your way.
Secondly, our community plate is literally 3 green eggs and 2 pieces of ham. Mark, Tom, and Brent are the 3 eggs as they have committed themselves to the vegetarian, sometimes vegan, and sometimes-organic lifestyle. That makes Marva and I the ham because we prefer to include meat in our diet. (of course then also there is our occasional soap opera story we like to bring into it at as well) And since I know Marva, so well I know when she reads this she'll say to me “Your life might be a soap opera, but mine sure aint” To that I say that's why you're the ham.
All joking aside, we have and are learning that green eggs and ham can complement each other. And like Sam in the beginning my thought was to not to deal with them (eat them) on a train or in a plane. But also like Sam, I am enjoying my community on a train and in a plane and most importantly in my life. Just today I realized a difference in views between myself and another community member and instead of trying to get him to see my side I looked, listened, and thanked God for the similarities in our argument. Then I prayed that the truth would be revealed to both of us in the matter.
I realize now that God put these green eggs in my life for a reason, and thanks to him I am learning to enjoy breakfast.