2012 King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Reflections on the 25th anniversary theme:

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"

Contributed by King County Employees

In September, I donated a kidney to my dad, 15 months after he experienced complete kidney failure caused by lifelong high blood pressure. The surgeons called me the "young, turbo-charged kidney"; It began working immediately!

Now, just three months later, my dad and step mom are free from the hassle and pain of daily dialysis and can resume their retirement careers as volunteer park rangers.

I gave a kidney, now my dad is paying it forward by helping to keep our beautiful national parks open and staffed.

Cindy

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Reflection

Dr. King's call to help others is more important than ever given the tough economic climate facing our nation. Fortunately, here in King County, we are blessed with a vibrant infrastructure of people willing to step-up and help our society's most vulnerable. I am always inspired by the acts of public service I see throughout our community every day. I also deeply admire the spirit and dedication exhibited by our local non-profits and public servants. Dr. King would be proud that he is the namesake of our great county.

Jane

In the middle of the room is a large table. A large pot of stew is set in the center. People sat around the table and they were thin and sickly. Each held spoons with very long handles, longer than their arms, and could not feed themselves. This is hell.

In a second room sat a table exactly the same as the first. The people had the same long-handled spoons with a pot of stew in the center. All were well-fed. The secret? They learned to feed one another. This is heaven.

We do not lack resources, only generosity.

Jesse

I have been blessed by a daughter with a giving heart. She was impressed by her teacher's presentation of Veteran's Day. She decided she wanted to visit the Seattle VA hospital. I am far more shy than she's ever been, so I would never have done this without her prompting. We went on a Saturday and took a bunch of tulips to give out. She was such a ray of sunlight going up and down the halls of the Community Living Center. The men were so surprised and pleased at their young visitor. We're going again after Christmas.

Cecille

Dr. King spoke of the need of opening our hearts to one another and not to judge or criticize. Each of us has a road we must walk. Everyone needs a little help in their lives; and by offering that help, you are helping yourself as well.

We all have one chance to live in this world and one opportunity to make this world a better place. Let's not deny this chance to another human being. Opening our hearts is the beginning of some wonderful! Just look at the many faces, hearts and minds you can touch!

Karen

Conjuring Love

We gathered under his voice

because he had the courage

to bare our sorrows

and humanize our dark skin

He taught us to stand

without fear,

to let go of the shame,

and to live

on our own terms or die

fighting for equality

We followed him

because he walked his dreams

and dared to fight back

against a system

that killed

to keep us out

of their Apple Pie reveries

He conjured love

that moved the world

leaving our children

with a martyr

that can never be

silenced or denied.

Kiana

I, too, have a dream:

To love my sons and give them peace through life's storms.

To teach them to plant a seed.

To grow a tree.

To leave a legacy.

To volunteer their energy to worthy causes.

To leave the light of unconditional love and wisdom to their generation.

I have a dream to teach them that Faith removes all obstacles.

Today, they are young:

Full of promise.

Tomorrow, with my guidance, they'll grow securely.

Their branches will stretch toward Heaven and create a rich canopy of peace.

And they will teach their Father's lessons to their seed.

Eric

Every moment provides an opportunity to do something for others. Give someone the gift of a gentle smile, words of encouragement, or an ear that listens. People want to be loved, heard, understood and cared about in life. You can be the person that makes a difference. The one that opens the door for them, sits down to coffee and listens to them, simply makes time for them. Do it for yourself, your family, your friends and for Dr. Martin Luther King. You will be glad you did. So will that special person that really needs you today.

Claire

Challenge yourself to be more aware of those around you.

See their struggles, needs,

Show compassion

Kindness.

Acknowledge your opportunities to make a difference.

Use your good fortune

Not to boast

But uplift.

Change comes with or without us willing it to be.

Our only true choices lie within our actions everyday.

Amber

Volunteering is a way of life! Whether it is for my church, children's schools, my city or scouting, I hope it has shown my children that the gifts we have are ours to share with others.

For the last 14 years I have been an active Girl Scout volunteer. This is a special year for Girl Scouting, "The Year of the Girl" as we celebrate 100 years of preparing girls to be strong, capable leaders, building girls of Courage, Confidence and Character who make the world a better place, one girl at a time.

Karan

I shine my light wherever in whatever I do.

I see possibilities and promise in all I meet.

I expect the best in people and believe in them.

I have empathy and appreciation for others knowing any situation could be my own.

I am an advocate of the poor and underserved.

Social justice lives in my heart.

I am a dreamer, a believer in all.

I respect the connection we all have to each other.

I smile at strangers and play with babies.

I am kind to all I meet.

Jennell

I give my time to others. I take time to listen. I take time to care. I take time to volunteer in my community. I take time to help those in need. Time is a precious gift, unlike things, you can't return it or exchange it. It's the best gift you can give to others. Tick tock tick tock ...

Karen

This year I spent each Saturday afternoon as a patient care volunteer for individuals who had entered hospice. I arrived at their homes every Saturday and spent four hours reading to them, talking with them, helping them with end of life projects like a memoir or correspondence to distant friends. I provided respite to their family members who needed to take a few hours to themselves. Mostly, I simply shared their fear and anxiety as they faced what is often the loneliest moment of their lives. I offered presence, comfort and companionship. I've been forever changed.

Alma

My grandmother taught me to do for others. We baked pies for others. We delivered meals to others. We checked in on others. We gave rides to others. We made clothes for others. We gave gifts to others. We greeted others with a smile and a wish for a good day. My grandmother lived for her community of others. There were no requirements for being welcomed in or for being taken care of. At 91 she will offer her chair to you even when there is nowhere else to sit because that is what she would do for others.

Candice

If the only action you can take is to pick up litter at your neighborhood park and you do it - I believe there is a place for you in that noble order of altruistic souls right along with the doctor who gives time and expertise to saving children. It is in doing what you are able to do at any given time or place to help others that answers the question - not what you did.

Laurie

I try to help people see the importance of the interactions with one another. Greeting people with a smile and treating them with kindness. There so much negativity in this world that sometimes a kind gesture can make such a powerful statement.

Jean

I recall the bad old days during 1970s: job ads were in separate newspaper sections: jobs for men, jobs for women. Fortunately today Rev. Dr. M. L. King's work benefits all people. Today, it's more likely that relevant job-performance-related criteria is used in hiring, rather than prejudiced irrelevant assumptions about gender, race, etc. This allowed me to get a good job where I was the only woman working with men. The men accepted me as a co-worker and I did the job well.

Diane

BE THE CHANGE

Wear a smile

And wear it well,

For sometimes

You can never tell

Just who might catch it,

And to what

Great things

That will lead.

Jamie

A citizen once sent me these words as part of her email signature. I printed and have kept them on my office desk ever since as a daily reminder to live this very basic and important truth:

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Erika

If not now when--a phrase used by the great Rabbi Hillel. When Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, he was praying with his feet: If I am only for myself, who am I. If I am not for myself who will be. If not now, when?

During the course of my life I have been a part of many of my own generations' actions. Everything from marching against the Viet Nam war to feeding the homeless in Lake City and sleeping with homeless women and children at my local Temple shelter.

Jo

I'm participating in the Occupy movement and listening to recordings of King's important speeches because they help me choose the right course. In "Where Do We Go From Here?" are the famous words "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that!" He reaffirms his commitment to non-violent revolution through powerful community action like "Operation Bread Basket" in Chicago. And he proposes a "guaranteed annual income" that by ending poverty would both invigorate the economy and lift up the depressed and sometimes violent lives of all people.

Mary

The "Spring Tree" is a branch I annually tie onto a really ugly cable wire the phone company planted into my corner parking strip to anchor a telephone pole. The neighborhood has renamed it the Giving Tree or the Sharing Tree.

The neighbor kids and I keep it 'decorated' it with dog biscuits and chocolates.

We add a sign, "Happy Spring! Take something, leave something." And the fun begins!

Toys, decorations, playing cards, a table, strings of beads, 2 tricyles (!)....we never know what will appear -and disappear.

Another one has 'sprung up" in the neighborhood...may there be more sharing!

Gail

"What are you doing for others?"

Does it matter if they have a mother, father sister or brother?

What are you doing for others?

Do you help the ones in need or do you wait until there is a crying plead?

So much hunger, so many to feed.

Are you employed? Many are not!

They can't buy tissues to wipe their eyes or snot.

Tears in their eyes watching their child cry from hunger, not much longer.

Dig in your pockets, purses or wallets, grab for change give unto others and watch your life change and others too.

Azziem

Dr. King said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" He also said, "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhumane."

I was first inspired by Dr. King's legacy decades ago when I learned about him as a kindergartener at Seattle's Martin Luther King Elementary School.

What am I doing for others, today? I work diligently in my role at Public Health Seattle & King County, and as a volunteer to promote equity and justice in health and the health services available in our community.

Tracy