The Human condition

I find it amazing that humans are capable of great love and empathy for people they have never met. The internet has expanded our ability to know of other peoples tragedies and hardships. What do we do with this knowledge? I hope that we all do something to make things better. No we can not personally change everything, but we can all change something. I have always been a big believer in charity, and feel that almost everyone can do something for someone else. Sometimes just passing on the knowledge is the start of making things better. Chris and I have always been involved in fundraisers, benefits and things to help other people. We are working to instill these values in our children also. I believe that they are learning.

When Allan was 3 years old, a friend from work had asked me if I still had clothes from my garage sale to sell. She told me that her sisters family had lost their home and all belongings due to a fire. I told her that I would donate the clothes I had left to her family. She was surprised and offered to pay. Of course I said absolutely not, this family had been through enough and I wanted to help. While I was packing up the clothes into a box later that evening, Allan asked what I was doing. So I explained about the fire and giving the clothes to the family to help them. He asked a few questions, did they lose all their toys, things like that. Once we were done talking, he chose his favorite wooden train set to send to the boy and one of his favorite books. What a beautiful act from a sweet boy. That action spoke volumes to me that we were on the right track with him.

This past fall, the Boys & Girls Club that Allan attends was having a gently used stuffed animal drive for children in other countries. Cara has an abundance of stuffed animals and of course I wanted to donate some of them. I wasn't sure how she would take it, she is very much in love with her "babies". When I explained to her what it was for and that these children didn't have toys like her and her brother, she jumped right in to choose animals to send. She ended up filling 2 grocery bags with her beloved babies, each chosen especially to make these other children happy. Another action speaking volumes to me about my giving loving children.

One of my hopes for the world is that more people will want to do small actions. Small actions can start big changes with the ripple effect. There are days when I get melancholy and think what else can go wrong, and then I have to pull myself up by my boot straps (figurative boot straps of course) and get back on the right track. My wish for all of you is that you will find a way to make a small but significant change for someone who needs it. Even a smile to someone who is having a bad day is a start. I wish you all a wonderful Friday tomorrow!