Wednesday, January 16, 2008

You Say You Want a Revolution

"I have some exciting news for you," I told him last night.

So I told him of the comments on the last post. I told him that three people, at that time, had said they would like to match whatever he chose to donate to the kids in South Africa.

He said, "total strangers?"

"No, honey, not total strangers," and then I told him about Jen and her work. I told him that the others were people we knew, but he was most interested in Jen (who wouldn't be?). He bent his head down and counted on his fingers, "so if I gave twenty dollars, that would mean eighty, right?"

"Yes, not counting what Daddy and I would match and any other people who have left a comment about it since I checked this morning."

"Wow."

Wow, indeed. Wyatt and I are talking about setting up a temporary place with the link to the Open Arms Home for Children, where people can come and make their donation and then leave a comment about it. We are talking about letting his school know about this and seeing how much support we can drum up with this little "project."

My expectations have already been surpassed you see, because the look on his face when I explained what a difference one person could make and the fact that he'd already quadrupled his own donation, was priceless.

This, is why this matters. Why reaching out and being part of a greater community other than the one surrounding you everyday, matters. Why educating our children about the issues and letting them know that there is a great, big world out there just full of children, just like them, matters.

We may have not taken our children to the far reaches of the globe at their young ages, but I really feel like something resembling the beginning of global responsibility is growing inside of them.

The spark has been lit, and I am going to do everything I can to make sure that it doesn't get extinguished.

13 comments:

LindaJ said...

THINK WORLD!!! having an awareness to the world is priceless. He already is on the right track.

Auntie Linda is VERY proud of him.

flutter said...

This totally rocks!

Unknown said...

I am so proud of Wyatt.

Family Adventure said...

Wow, that is awesome Wyatt! Keep us posted on what you decide to do so we can all help out...

Heidi

alice c said...

I'm in!

Anonymous said...

Dad & I will be contacting Wyatt....


xxxooomom

ditzymoi said...

Thats really wonderful Carrie! What a sweetheart he is ... and I think I know where he got it :)

Kellan said...

What a great thing and yet - the spark has been lit!!! I'd like to contribute as well!

Thanks Carrie for coming over and leaving your kind comment and offering your support. You are one of my "oldest" friends and I have always been grateful for that and love your site and hope you know that I respect your talent and feel very honored to call you my friend. I am glad to know you. See you soon. Kellan

Aleka's World said...

That's awesome! Your children are a testament to how great of parents you and your husband are!

Lisa said...

Yes, yes! Keep us posted on what you decide. My fam would LOVE to help out!

You have an amazing son. And that's because he has a wonderful mom!

painted maypole said...

wow!!! awesome.

Kristin said...

You tell Wyatt that Jake and Jack will both match what he gives... this is a great lesson in compassion and the amazing good that we can do for each other!

You should be one proud mama.

Anonymous said...

Nice blog. I will keep reading. Please take the time to visit my blog about Free Guitar Lesson