My son’s baseball team was VERY generous to me as their team-mom. It was one great group of moms (as was T-Ball with MommaBean and Umm F) and a joy to be mommy-organizer for. They gave me the mani-pedi extravaganza AND a gift certificate at BH. I now own a cute pair of bronze cork wedge sandals, thanks to these ladies, to show off my cute (and still manicured) toes.
Not all the teams I have mommed are such stellar examples of fun, fairness and responsibility. This year, all four teams were super. I also ended up co-momming the Seniors team, as the head coach’s wife is an older blonde Cali Gal like me. Two such heads were better than one, oh yea. It seemed like a bit much, especially when I was collecting for coach gifts for both teams. Fortunately for this old blonde, my wallet has ten compartments.
I discovered that Project Boy’s team mom was partially momming not just one but TWO other teams! Her son coached one, her daughter was on another, and her older son on yet another. This Urdani-Muhajibabe (is that a sexist thing to say? I forgot, but it is a VERY cute play on words, mish?) is not only beautiful, talented, organized and a sacrifical giver, she is one of the most hands-on local moms I have seen in her social circle. No nanny-ing in that home, and in addition to a career, she cooks ALL the food that family eats.
She has been a pillar in the Amman Little League Association for probably a decade. I learned on another team we shared kids on that She Does Not Want a Team Mom Gift at the end of season. She is not the kind that doesn’t want you to trouble yourself, nor the kind who try and make it diffucult while secretly hoping for Galler chocolates or the mega-basket from Natural Looks. It could be that she received so many lame gifts that were a waste of money and space that it became her new policy.
All season I got her sms’ about practices and games, I imagined her sending them in the middle of a boring business meeting (which is where she told me she sends them from). I saw her there every Friday, since we had kids on three of the four divisions together. Sometimes she would come and go to Ghamadan Park 2-3 times a Friday between getting lunch ready and prayers. She was amazing. I wanted to bless her somehow, thank her for her ta3ub.
So I thought, you know, she is a selfless person, maybe she would appreciate a donation given to a charity in her name (or anonymously, as she would probably prefer). I asked Desertmom and MommaBean, two of my more clear-headed friends with whom I bounce my multitude of ideas off of. They both thought it was worth a try.
I asked her older son what he thought, and he brightened up and said, yes, she woudl like that. So I asked him, “What is her favorite charity? Orphans? Gaza? Impoverished families? Ramadan packages? Habitat for Humanity? Gift of Life? Operation Smile? King Hussein Cancer Foundation?” His brow knits just like hers when he is thinking, it is very sweet. He thought for a moment and said “Yes, King Hussein Cancer Foundation, that is what she would like”.
I am a natural-born fund-raiser/recruiter/networker, so collecting one dinaar from the participating parents of the three teams she mommed was easy-peasy. Even had a free compartment in my wallet, and unlike coach gifts, no one dared to give me a 50JD note and ask for change. I have a friend at the KHCS, so the contact was simple.
So the big End of Season Award Ceremony came. I was so excited. I thanked her on behalf of all the teams and told her that the gift that would be given in her name, and her son was right, she loved it!!!
SO, if you have any friends who have everything they need, consider a gift for others on their behalf. It helps a circle of friends grow in depth by declaring their love for that person by helping another in need.
Haneen, you are the best. May God crown your year with goodness, and make His heart’s desire your own.