The picture says it all.
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| Picture from The Young Turks
Since January, together we have helped to feed over 15,000+ meals to the orphans and vulnerable children of Uganda through our Frontlines+ Feeding Program. Please consider keeping your Christmas simple. Simple. Simple. Trust me in this, as a silver haired mama, International Voice of the Orphan |
Oh that picture breaks my heart. The reality of the imbalance in our world is too much. Thanks for this reminder. It's so easy to get caught up in the holidays and that's the last thing I want to teach my boys.
Wow Linny, that certainly is the truth. I know I've been spoiled and I can't say that I remember many of the gifts I've received over the years. 🙁 Sure puts things into perspective…
GO girl!! I love this picture and the story behind it. Thanks for being the Voice
LOVE THIS! Thank you!
So true. That pictures just breaks my heart.
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving, Linny.
Linny,
This Black Friday thing is really getting to me. I've been pondering about how to take my anger (over the insanity of it all)–and turn it into something positive. I think that our family is going to set aside time on Black Friday to make a batch of bracelets for Orphan Wares. I would love to hear anyone else's ideas of ways to "redeem the day".
Love you, Linny!
Tina
Yes, simple works! The things our kids remember and ask for are the things we do together as a family. It is a tradition for us to drive up to the mountains and hike in the forest to cut a tree each year. We've tried buying a tree and we all miss the togetherness of our "Tree Hunt". Another tradition we have is to get together with my best friends for "Cookie Day" where the 3 families make all kinds of Christmas cookies. We have a blast listening to Christmas music while rolling, dipping, baking and frosting cookies! Another tradition we have is shoe-box Christmas gifts. Each of our kids shops for a child of their gender and age, and mom (that's me) shops for a baby in memory of our lost babies and we donate them to our church's shoe-box gift drive! These are the things that my kids love and remember. These are the traditions they ask for each year. We really try to minimize the rest. You've definitely made me think about what more we can do for others.
This year I have a part time job in retail and will be working on black Friday. I'm sure it will give me a new perspective on the craziness, though that probably won't be a good thing. We shall see.
Thank you Linny for reminding all of us of the reality of the world. While I did go Black Friday shopping with my son, home from the marines, and his girlfriend, it wasn't the buying that was the big reason of why we stayed up all night but the togetherness of the my son and I doing our traditional shopping along with his girlfriend. I will cherish these memories forever. My daughter who is 10 wrote a story of her favorite thing. It was a school project. She was adopted when she was 5. Her favorite thing happens to be her home. Oh, it is not fancy and the meals are not fancy but it is warm, her bed is comfy and her tummy is full. Coming from a former orphan, this is a tear jerker that puts in perspective that our society does not in general always appreciate the simple things in life. Thank you for your words and wisdom…they are appreciated. God Bless you are your family and keep them safe and happy.
Thank you Linny for putting in perspective the reality of this world we live in. While I did stay up all night and go shopping, it was to continue a tradition my son and I have had for years. He is home from the marines on leave and he invited his girlfriend. We had a good time but it wasn't about the things. It was about being together. You are correct in saying these memories of togetherness are what matter most. They are even more special when we don't see our adult children as often as our younger children.
My 10 year old daughter who was adopted at age 5 had a school assignment to write about her favorite things. She wrote about her home. It was quite lovely and so special coming from a child who spent her first 5 years not knowing she would have a family. "It isn't the biggest or fanciest home, the meals are not the fanciest but it is warm and my tummy is full and my bed is comfy." These are the things our society has to remember…not all the commercial plastic that is sold in stores. Thank you for your blog and your words of wisdom. They are very much appreciated.
God Bless you!