WHAT A GREAT WAY TO END THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND!!!
Today, I was sitting at the park with my doggies, feeling sad. Gotta be honest, I miss my kids. They are all grown and happy, and they have their own families now. That's the way life is, but it's not easy to feel left behind.
I got home, and there was a letter in the mailbox from the Summit County Prosecutor. "Oh no! What did I do?"
I opened the envelope, and it was a beautiful letter thanking me for what I'm doing in Akron. How about that?
Now I can't stop smiling!
I headed for the Aldi at Arlington, and I have driven by this dumpster on Wilbeth Road a dozen times. Ick, Ick, Ick!This time, feeling super good about the letter, I drove around the block and went back. It's the 4th of July weekend. Nobody wants to look at (or smell) a mess like this!
It took me 18 minutes to clean all that up! And yes, there were maggots.A woman came out after I finished (of course, after I finished,) and she thanked me. She said little kids take the trash out and the bags are too heavy for them. So they just leave them outside the dumpster. And everybody else follows their lead, or they can't get past the bags to throw their trash in the dumpster.
Whatever is going on, please stop!!! If I can clean a mess like this in 18 minutes, and I don't even live here, why can't you? Maybe it's not your "job," but it's not my job either. Let's all work together. Can't we do that?
When I drove around the block, I saw broken glass on Virginia. I had to go back and clean that up. Little kids walk down this street.After I finished cleaning that up, a sweet little girl in a pink dress came running up to me with an orange popsicle. She said, "Here, it's hot. You need this!" I told her a popsicle would make me thirsty, but thank you so much. I told her to eat it for me. That would make me happy.
Then she said, "Why do you have to pick up trash?" I replied, "I don't have to pick up trash. I want to pick up trash. I just cleaned broken glass off the sidewalk that could cut you. I want you to be safe."
She just smiled. And she walked away thinking about what I said, eating the orange popsicle.
I made a new kitty cat friend. I see some really pretty cats when I'm picking up trash.After I finished cleaning that block, I headed to Arlington again, but the pizza shop was all trashed up again. I stopped and cleaned that up.
I finally made it to the Aldi on Arlington. I picked up 1,346 pieces of trash from the Aldi to the Napa store. And just like yesterday, I overdid it, and I was tired. (I know I'm tired when I keep missing my bucket.)
So I'm driving home, west on Wilbeth Road, an area I just cleaned yesterday, and I saw more broken glass! Do the people in this area think breaking glass bottles is the same as shooting off fireworks? It sure seems like it.I whipped into the parking lot and picked up 151 pieces of broken glass. There were people on their porches watching me. People that live here. People that walk on this sidewalk.
Maybe by the time I reach my second million piece goal, people will start joining in. I can do a lot, but I can't do it all.
I heard from Candace Hare at Channel 3, and she said the story will be on TV on Tuesday. So let's see if that happens this time.
I picked up 5,271 pieces of trash tonight. Super good way to end the holiday weekend!
Debbie, I so love reading your posts, especially this story about the little girl offering you a popsicle! So many opportunities to show others how they can help to make a difference! Keep up the good work..
ReplyDeleteLots of trash!!! And a beautiful kitty!
ReplyDeleteAnother amazing day picking up trash! You definitely outdid yourself! That popsicle had to be very tempting in this heat. So sweet of that little girl. 😁 Joyce
ReplyDeleteDebbie God is watching you every day and there is a special place in heaven for you and a thank you from all the children and pets you protect by keeping these streets clean and safe. KUDOS to you my friend, Phyl. Keep going my dear you have the right spirit! And keep praying others get the message and stop to help or make a plan to help you to alleviate some of the burden. And yeah for the news and the cities to ACKNOWLEDGE your hard work. PHYL!
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