#carrythefuture

[deermeadowquilts]

Off to little hands and little heads with Carry The Future

[motherhoodrising]

Common love and common passion brought @dorideer and I together. This really pushed surrounding myself with strong, empowered, and creative women and has opened my mind to just how much can be done to expand our knowledge and impact. Knowing about suffering that exists in this world and not finding a way to support those that are in need of human feeling- empathy will not shift thinking or make change. Being proactive is not always easy but it is possible and it is worth the time and the energy. My family and I sped down the freeway last night leaving what's said to be the happiest place on earth. It was after nine and the fireworks lit up the night sky. Loud echoing booms filled the air and Ever held me so close and tight. As I spoke quietly in her ear and reassured her that it was ok- the lights were pretty and colorful, there was no need to worry. Mama will keep you safe always.... As these words left my lips I was overcome with sadness and grief for children, mothers, families that I will never know - cities filled with children whose mothers cannot reassure them with that knowing it's true. Mothers and fathers that can't sleep for fear they may not get out in time. Weary travelers that desperately search for a peaceful place to raise their children. Syria. I cry for you children of Aleppo. | I will be packaging up all of my baby carriers that sit unused and I will be sending them directly to @carrythefuture to be dispersed among refugees - allowing their hands to be free while carrying their children into the future. | Throughout the day, I will be sharing different ways you can get involved - ways you can help these families that have been displaced by violence. #hopeforsyria #syria #carrythefuture #aleppo #childrenofaleppo

[malcriada9]

BON VOYAGE >

My whole life I’ve been almost phobic about traveling. My mom was the opposite and she wanted to go everywhere, so when I was a kid she’d ask me if I wanted to go to Egypt, to Italy, to France, all these places, and my answer was always NO. I had this terror of going anywhere they don’t speak English or Spanish, because those are the only languages I spoke. I have no idea where this fear came from.

Then I grew up and went a few places, but anywhere I went, I spent most of my time there drinking. As a result, my experiences were limited and my memories hazy.

Then I quit drinking, and my anxiety and airplane phobia got progressively worse to the point where even a little jaunt to Oakland made me not get on a plane again for 2 ½ years. And all I could think was FUUUCK!!!

So I did a little bit of footwork, which I’ve talked about before here: http://malcriada.net/post/133412692460/one-year-ago And I’ve taken a few plane trips since then—6 in total if you count all the layovers, which I do, because the best treatment for phobias is accumulation of experiences where you do the thing you’re scared shitless of and DON’T have a panic attack. I’ve got 6 of those under my belt and I have not had to take any medication, nor have I had another panic attack since I started my journey of treatment almost a year ago.

Then I signed on to go to Greece to volunteer with Carry the Future to serve refugee families arriving in Europe. That’s 11 HOURS in a plane, people! But what am I going to do? Not go? Not be of service? Let one of the most horrible humanitarian crises of our lifetime pass me by and say I did not go when I had the opportunity to do so, because I was scared to get on the fucking plane?

No. I decided I am not going to let my fear keep me on the ground for the rest of my life. I have a God that has wrought miracles for me already, so I think I will just trust that I can use all the tools he has provided me to just DEAL WITH IT, and go out and live my life.

So 2016 is going to be my YEAR O’ TRAVEL! I’ve already been to San Francisco this year, and I leave for Athens SUNDAY, with a 5 hour layover in Zurich (that I am absolutely counting)! Then I get to take my kids on the Hawaii trip they have been begging for for years, in either June or July. Then I’ve got Seattle in September, with my girlfriends Sandra and Laura from my SF trip. Wheeeeee!!!! I am so excited for all this WORLD-SEEING!!!!

Riding the little ferry to Alcatraz, looking out on the water to the beautiful city, I was so seized with this desire to go and see all the things I’ve been hiding from my whole life. I can’t wait to go out and experience this world, because for the first time I am not afraid, and I am absolutely present, and my eyes and my heart are open. I know my mother is so happy, up there looking down at her little girl who finally stopped being scared. I know she will be with me in all of these places, because she is with me everywhere I go.

She’s gonna be especially stoked about Greece. <3

[kaleidoscopecreates]

#Kaleidoscope and #PeaceVillageLasCruces getting ready to tie our #blessing notes o to the 33 baby carriers we've collected, and ship them of to #CarryTheFuture out in #SoCal so they can deliver them to #refugees in #Greece who are carrying their beloved cargo (#babies!) hundreds of miles north in hopes of a brighter future. @carrythefuture

[michellekashon]

Rocking my new @carrythefuture tshirt at the park today! #babemarlie #17months #susonpark #mommyandme #carrythefuture (at Suson Park)

[kaleidoscopecreates]

#KaleidoscopeLasCruces and #PeaceVillageLasCruces sending #CarryTheFuture dozens of #babycarriers for #refugees landing in Greece and carrying their precious ones northward. @carrythefuture

[michellekashon]

@carrythefuture and Operation Refugee Child are having an emergency winter collection drive for refugees. This morning I heard about a refugee child who died of hypothermia. Let's do something small to help so that this does not keep happening. Here's what you can do right now: :: Drop off winter supplies or monetary donations at one of our drop off locations. Our St. Louis locations are: Amber Sky, Parenting Resources, and Kangaroo Kids. These items include things like wool socks, fleece hats, and mittens. Please see the photo for a complete list. :: You can buy an item off of the Amazon wish list and have it sent directly to Carry the Future. CTF BABY CARRIERS 121 W. Lexington Drive Suite L 106D Glendale, California 91203 They will make sure it arrives in Greece. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ls?lid=3ECXME2QN38XW&ty=wishlist :: You can donate directly to Carry the Future's Indiegogo campaign. Just $5 sends a baby carrier and supplies to refugees. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/carry-the-future-baby-carriers-for-refugees--5#/ :: You can help spread the word. Just share this update with friends and help get the word out. You might not be able to give right now, but someone else may have the ability. It's a big world out there. And every little soul matters. Let's do what we can! Contact me (Michelle Melville-Kashon) with questions. #carrythefuture #carrythefuturestl #refugeecrisis #syrianrefugees

[michellekashon]

We have our second St. Louis baby carrier donation site for @carrythefuture ! This is Kathy from Parenting Resources in Tower Grove @parentingresourcesstl ! You can drop off soft structured baby carriers or Mei tai baby carriers here! They will be hand delivered to Greece where they will be given to Syrian Refugee families. #carrythefuture #carrythefuturestl #refugeecrisis #syrianrefugees #parentingresources