This week I have been following Ryan Detzel, a blogger while he is visiting children in Kenya, through the Compassion project. I weep daily for the conditions these children live in and what they have to endure. Today, I shared with J some of the photos. My intention was not to make him sad but, to remind him to be thankful for everything we have.
My poor little boy wept and wept and wept some more. He just couldn’t understand how they didn’t have proper houses or running water or food! Let alone the fact that they didn’t have any toys. But, how I made him stop crying was by sharing with him how happy these children were and how they are happy because they don’t know the difference. Of course J asked if some of them could come and live with us and I had to explain again that they had family there or they didn’t want to leave their Country and come to a strange place. He seemed ok with that, but knows now that he is very blessed with all we have. I hope to keep sharing with him that others aren’t as fortunate so that he can appreciate everything from water to a warm bed.
While I was bawling my eyes out for these children in Kenya, I heard the sad news that Layla Grace passed away today. This little girl has been in my heart and mind for a few weeks as she is just a month and a half younger than Apple. My heart goes out to her parents and sibling who are now without their sweet little girl.
Thinking of Layla reminded me of this photo of Apple at three days old, she is so fresh and new and even though she is full of fire now, I remember taking this photo like it was yesterday. I hugged my children a little closer at bedtime tonight.
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I often wonder how to talk to the kids about what we have and what some people don’t have. I think that is wonderful that you shared with J. Those are such important conversations.
That is heartbreaking. I haven’t followed that little girl’s story but clicked over. No parent should have to go through that and certainly no child should.
I am thankful and grateful too. Thanks for the reminder.
and Apple, the sweetness! Beautiful!
Nicely said. I am reminded to be thankful again for all those blessings we have and be generous for those whose needs are much more than mine. The Kenya project is wonderful for the kids at school, feeling like they can make a difference, small as it is.
I have a hard time with all this too – it’s so sad and then to try and share it with your own children, it’s just so difficult. But it’s such an important lesson, for our own kids to understand how lucky and blessed they are, and to feel compassion for others.
That photo of Apple is stunning 🙂 Look at her hair!! Sweet!
Reading about Layla Grace breaks my heart. How quickly life can change and how easily we forget that.
That photo of Apple is beautiful.
It certainly is heartbreaking to see the poverty and loss. I have to admit that with D2 being so young and my senses so raw I have been avoiding reading their stories. I am not in a good place for that type of emotion right now.
What a post. We have to remember there are people doing all that they can to help others out of the goodness of there hearts. My Brother in law and his teenagers (age 11 to 16) just left on their March Break to go to a Lutheran Misson in NICRARGUA ! They took very little clothes and took all that they could in supplies with them to help them out. They were so exicted!
I’m not sure I could do it, but my hats off to them for going!
Hugs Anna