This afternoon I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman and the manager of a pizza joint while waiting for my pizza order. It started with a comment I made about what we used to do before cell phones when we found ourselves with time to kill. We agreed that we would talk to those around us, read, write, ponder life, etc... But today we find ourselves checking e-mail, texting, scoping out the latest tweets and reading and responding to facebook updates.
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| Nick, Emily & Christopher in Peru, July 2007 |
And our children don't have a CLUE what to do when faced with free time. They're 'bored' and 'can't find anything to do.' They are growing up in a most privileged, teeny, tiny 'world' and the greatest gift we can give them is NOT preaching at them or reminding them how "good they have it." No, our responsibility is to take them to a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter and give them the opportunity to serve; or better yet, send (or take) them to a third world country and let them see, experience and live among those who truly know poverty. THAT, my friends, is what will open their eyes, minds and hearts to those less fortunate than us... those who live in "the real world."
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| Emily in Haiti |
It is through these experiences that their lives will possibly be changed and perhaps even motivate them to pursue a career with a non-profit organization that is committed to serving those less fortunate than us, or to teach children who are living unimaginable lives. Perhaps they will choose to spend their time outside of their jobs... their free time serving the needy. There are endless opportunities out there and all they (and we, for that matter) need to do is grab hold of them.
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| Chris in Haiti |
Mychildren have been blessed to volunteer helping others in countries such as Peru, Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala and Indian Reservations in Arizona. Nick has seen the worst of the worst... visiting slums in Africa, Cambodia and El Salvador. My hope for them is that the experience they have while serving in impoverished countries will be transformed into a vision, a dream... a dream to spend their lives being part of changing the world, one life at a time. I want them to chase their dreams, to fly on the wings they were born with, to take chances. And my hope is that they know that I'll always be here for them, loving, supporting, encouraging and cheering them on.
Below is the link and the lyric to a song I sent to Emily when she left for Guatemala a month ago and I love the lyric and the sentiment of the song by Nickel Creek called, "When You Come Back Down."
When You Come Back Down
"You got to leave me now, you got to go alone.
You got to chase a dream, one that's all your own before it slips away.
When you're flyin' high, take my heart along
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song that you learn to play.
When you're soarin' thorough the air I'll be your solid ground.
Take every chance you dare, I'll still be there when you come back down.
I'll keep lookin' up, awaitin' your return.
My greatest fear will be that you will crash and burn and I won't feel your fire.
I'll be the other hand that always holds the line connectin' in between your sweet heart and mine.
I'm strung out on that wire and I'll be on the other end to hear you when you call;
Angel, you were born to fly.
If you get too high, I'll catch you when you fall.
Your memory's the sunshine every new day brings,
I know the sky is calling Angel, let me help you with your wings.
When you're soarin' through the air, I'll be your solid ground.
Take every chance you dare, I'll still be there when you come back down."
