The differences between this world, and the one I sometimes forget is out there hit home with a very hard SMACK yesterday. We just returned from New York, where we took my daughter to the American Girl Place for an amazing birthday. She turned ten, and we were an hour away for a wedding, so off we went. Her attitude was very humble, and she didn't ask for or accept anything once we hit "the limit", even though we may very well never go there again and being the person I am I tried. She was so thankful to be able to have a little party in the cafe, cake and all, that she was the perfect child. The next day we saw Lion King on Broadway. Spectacular!
When we came home, however, there on the counter, with all our mail, was a notice regarding our sponsored child's birthday. Inside was a paper crown, which we send in to give the message that this person's life is more precious than any gem. If we choose, we can add to our donation, thus allowing our child to have some kind of celebration, and maybe even balloons. I don't feel guilty for being born in the U.S., and with Lenny's death I certainly don't feel guilty for giving both my girls birthdays and experiences that will bless their lives. What I felt though, was humbled. Humbled by forgetting about those who have so much less, simply because they were born somewhere else, or born here but have difficult circumstances. Humbled because as I go through this life I forget that this really is a fools paradise, and that I am destined for a real paradise. Tania's crown, which Colette filled out right away, I mean the second she saw it, reminded both of us that we too are more precious than gems, and that with all the goodies the weekend brought, our true treasure lies elsewhere. She and I together made a pact never to forget that.
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