Welcome to Our Poor Parents

The time has come to finally launch this blog.  Sorry to those of you who have been patiently waiting!

What is "Our Poor Parents" you may ask? Well, here is where it all began...

Enter myself, 27 and already bored with the 9-5 corporate world, daydreaming about what I could do next.  Enter Emily, 27 and doing freelance work in her dream career.  Ironically, on the same day a few months back, we both dropped bombs on our parents.  I was quitting my job and moving to the west coast with absolutely no set plans, while Emily was moving to the East Side of Nashville and living with a guy she had never met before(her dad is a retired police officer, clearly thrilled with this news).  As we were highlighting the entertainment value that was the utter shock of our parents, Emily laughed and said, "Our Poor Parents", and from there the rest is history.

"Our Poor Parents" is more than just Emily and I making alternative decisions in the face of our parents perception of a safe and routine life.  For us, the concept of "Our Poor Parents" strikes home for our entire generation.  We are individuals constantly striving to better this world, standing up for our rights and our beliefs.  Nothing about us is uniform. Careers are different, lifestyles are different, communities are different and every morning I wake up inspired by what our generation is capable of accomplishing next.

Once I quit my job, my safety net was gone.  I made the leap and there was no looking back.  I knew this was the opportunity to think, feel, say and to do something special.  With nothing holding me back, I was now in charge of my own destiny...

Giving back to the Community has always been a passion of mine.  I grew up with a Grandmother and father who selflessly gave to the people in their lives, and I aspire to pass that on to every single person I encounter throughout my life.  I have always been fascinated with the pay it forward concept.  So one day, while looking at pictures of the All Hands Volunteer (http://hands.org/) work being done in Japan following the Tsunami, I started wondering how I could make it possible to be a part of something this special.  How amazing is it that these people are able to take time to travel to the other side of the world, only to give their time to those who desperately needed help? One glance at these pictures on my computer screen, I was so inspired.

If I was going to give up my job and travel around for a while, I needed the funds.  The pay it forward concept began to unfold, and with the amazing generosity of people at my work, we started raising the funds.  It was my belief that these donations would help us get from one location to the next, helping as many people as we possibly can.  (There will be a post for our donors coming soon)

After researching a variety of volunteer opportunities we could participate in across the country, Emily and I chose to aim a majority of our time around Habitat for Humanity and Second Food Harvest.  The next couple weeks would be spent researching and planning this because despite my open ended schedule, Emily was still very employed and we had to work around what her schedule would permit.  I knew I wouldn't get to have Emily on every stop of this trip with me, but I also knew there was no one else I wanted to experience this with more, so we worked November around her schedule.  (Posts from Baton Rouge LA, Sarasota FL, and Wilksboro, NC to come)

There are many moments in my life that led to this journey, but two specifically stand out in my mind and these two I would say have forever shaped my views on what it is to give back to the Community.  First, was reading "An Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Clayborn.  This book definitely changed my life, and was conveniently introduced to be my my traveling comrade as the best book she has ever read.  This man, what he stands for, it's a level of selflessness and love we should all aspire to reach.  I never really associated myself to any one religion or any one political party, though I stand very opinionated in certain areas.  "An Irresistible Revolution" put in to perspective exactly how I felt about separating both religion and politics, and what it means to give back on a spiritual level.  More than anything though, it gave me hope that I had finally found someone who mirrors my beliefs. (I'll let Emily talk for herself on what this book means to her) 

Second, while attending a volunteer orientation at the beginning of the year in Philly, the leader spoke about how most people who financially contribute to organizations never directly see the impact or results from their monetary contribution.  Then, there are people who can give their time, and that is just as valuable as any financial contribution.  This stuck with me, but it also fueled my frustration at the difficulties of working volunteer hours in to a Monday to Friday schedule. In the end, I want those who donated to see the direct impact their contributions are having on our journey in helping others.

When I left almost two weeks ago to begin this journey, a slew of emotions ran over me.  This was the culmination of so many memories, my family and my friends, and a comfortable life in the rear view.  For me though it's not who or what I was leaving, it's all about every single one of those people being a part of me on this journey.  It's greater than just Emily and I out here on the road, it's everyone who has ever made an impact on my life.  Not only do I feel their love in every decision I make on this trip, those who I come in contact with will also. 

Love transcends race, it transcends gender, it transcends age, it transcends sexual orientation, it transcends religious affiliation and it transcends political views.  In the end, we are all human beings capable of loving one another and with love, we are capable of doing anything.  So for anyone who I have ever crossed paths with, this journey is for you.  Thank you for making me who I am today.

I will leave you with what I think is one of the greatest songs ever written.  This is what it's all about...

Erin

(I will be trying to keep up with the blog daily, though I found after our first week on the road it was a bit tough.  I will be utilizing Facebook and Instagram (eringotts) for more daily updates.  Because we both are huge music fans, I will be using Twitter (eringotts) and our blog to talk about who we're listening to on the road.  Hang tight and enjoy the journey, I will do my best to keep everyone afloat.  Thanks for taking the time to follow)