Oscar and I were juicing oranges this morning. He asked for a slice of orange and so I peeled him an especially beautiful orange. I got on my "we must always be grateful, Oscar" kick. I was explaining to him about how there are people in this world that would view that orange as the most beautiful thing they have ever seen. That orange would be more than they could ever even ask for or expect for Christmas. That orange would be like gold to them. That orange may very well be a flavor that they have never experienced because they have never have such a treasure as that gorgeous golden orange.
I want my kids to always understand that we are rich. We have a house, a car, clothes, food and clean water. We can turn a handle and water comes out! This puts us in the top 5% of richest people in the world. We sometime forget to think about it this way. I explained to him that there are more than 1 billion people in the world without access to clean water, especially in Africa. Water, pure and simple. I explained how some children in the world live in cardboard houses with dirt floors. When it rains, the rain may even fall on their heads because they have no roof.
Please understand I was soft in my explanations. I was not pummeling him, but rather we were just talking. We talk about things like this when we see a homeless person. I should have known by his reaction to those conversations to take it slow. Because when we see the guys begging on the corner it usually results in some begging inside the car. "Let's give him a ride!" "We have to give him our car, Mom" "Have you got any money in your purse? GIVE IT TO HIM!"
Anyway, this morning, after my soft but way-too-much-information oration, Oscar came unglued. He is such an empathetic child. He cares so much. I pray he never loses this trait (or at treats his sister with some of that kindness...LOL). He was insistent that we go to the store THAT instant to get food for those children. He was trying to explain it to me like I was the child...because, after all, it is that simple, right? Up at Tom Thumb there are rows and rows and rows of food. How can there be so much food right up the street and none where those children are? We just have to get it to them. He sat in the car the whole time I took my shower and got ready because he wanted to get to the store.
I wish it were that easy.
xoxo
p.s. I know this sounds suspiciously like a total bragging post about my sweet Oscar...and it is. But it is never far from my mind how I can make a difference. I long to move somewhere to help the poor but have never had the courage. Now some of you are helping me. And I am so overwhelmed with gratitude and LONG for the day when I am 100% giving instead of receiving. One charity I found last year that I love is Charity Water. They are so smart. They have private donors, foundations, and sponsors help pay for flights to Africa, staff, and office rent. So 100%...100%....of the donations go directly to fund freshwater projects in developing nations. Each $20 can give one person clean, safe drinking water for 20 years. Okay, sorry...I am done. Everyone has charities that are near and dear to their hearts.
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