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Tears for those I can't help
Dec. 9th, 2005 07:23 pmA local radio station is running an auction to benefit the "Make A Wish" Foundation. The items are expensive packages, and they are going at good prices (one went for over $6,000). They've had some families with small children on the show. One mother was talking about what it meant to her family to go to Disney World after her four year old finished treatment for leukemia. You know, no four year should know what leukemia is. That little girl knows what leukemia is and has fought for her life, but she is still excited to tell people about meeting Mickey Mouse and Cinderella.
Earlier, there was a news story about adoption in BC. There are so many children who are waiting to be adopted, many of them with special needs. They are considering posting pictures of the children who are looking for homes on the website in hopes of getting more people interested in adopting. There simply aren't enough willing and capable people out there.
Maybe I shouldn't be listening to these kinds of programs. I am clogged up with the tears I don't want to shed while sitting at my desk at work.
I am one of the luckiest people in the world, even more so because I also know how lucky I am.
I give small amounts of money to a number of charities throughout the year, because I have a small amount readily available to give. I buy some toys for the empty stocking fund every year at Christmas. But today I am overwhelmed by how little I've given as opposed to how much is needed. There are so many worthy causes, so many people who are hungry, sick and hurting. And I don't give as much as I could.
That's a problem right there: How to define how much I can give? My roof needs to be repaired, so obviously I can't give away the money that will pay for that. But do I need a new kettle? My old still works, it's just a little smaller then I would like. Do I need new boots? A haircut? Another book? A bottle of wine? Do I need to put that money into savings?
Then, who to give the money too? I don't plan my charitable giving, I just give to whatever tugs at my heartstrings when I have spare money. This usually means the charities that phone or show up at my door. I don't even know if I'm giving to groups that make good use of the money. I think this is one area where I feel too much and think too little.
I am so blessed, so privileged, to live in a rich country with a loving family, with a roof over my head and food on my table. I have good physical and mental health. I have a full-time job. I do not lack for anything. I wish everyone could be as lucky as me. My spare pennies do not feel like enough.
Earlier, there was a news story about adoption in BC. There are so many children who are waiting to be adopted, many of them with special needs. They are considering posting pictures of the children who are looking for homes on the website in hopes of getting more people interested in adopting. There simply aren't enough willing and capable people out there.
Maybe I shouldn't be listening to these kinds of programs. I am clogged up with the tears I don't want to shed while sitting at my desk at work.
I am one of the luckiest people in the world, even more so because I also know how lucky I am.
I give small amounts of money to a number of charities throughout the year, because I have a small amount readily available to give. I buy some toys for the empty stocking fund every year at Christmas. But today I am overwhelmed by how little I've given as opposed to how much is needed. There are so many worthy causes, so many people who are hungry, sick and hurting. And I don't give as much as I could.
That's a problem right there: How to define how much I can give? My roof needs to be repaired, so obviously I can't give away the money that will pay for that. But do I need a new kettle? My old still works, it's just a little smaller then I would like. Do I need new boots? A haircut? Another book? A bottle of wine? Do I need to put that money into savings?
Then, who to give the money too? I don't plan my charitable giving, I just give to whatever tugs at my heartstrings when I have spare money. This usually means the charities that phone or show up at my door. I don't even know if I'm giving to groups that make good use of the money. I think this is one area where I feel too much and think too little.
I am so blessed, so privileged, to live in a rich country with a loving family, with a roof over my head and food on my table. I have good physical and mental health. I have a full-time job. I do not lack for anything. I wish everyone could be as lucky as me. My spare pennies do not feel like enough.
