We’re a go-go family, hiking, playing at parks, swimming. By the end of summer (who am I kidding, by two weeks into summer), I’m feeling like a cruise director…planning one fun activity after another. Of course all of these fun activities revolve around bringing glee to my children. After all, we live in one of the richest counties in the nation. The biggest problem faced by me and my peers is not getting into a premiere vacation bible school program (not really, but you get the idea). So it should come as no surprise that reading the book Seven by Jen Hatmaker has rocked my happy little boat a bit. It’s hard to be horrified by someone accidentally taking my son’s navy blue Crocs at the splash pad (picture navy blue Crocs everywhere!) when I have two more pairs his size at home and a Burmese refugee child in Denver is wearing his one pair of holey shoes (and not the kind you wear to church).
Over the last two weeks a group of women and I have
completed the Clothing and Possessions chapters of the book together. We purged enough stuff to outfit multiple
families. Our fearless leader found an
organization who worked directly with refugees and so I found myself hauling an
SUV full of excess along with my mother-in-law and three boys to the other side
of the tracks so to speak.
We arrived at the church that served as the organization’s
meeting place a bit early. The building
had yet to be unlocked, and our liaison had yet to arrive, but a group of
Burmese children stood around the building waiting and beyond excited by our
arrival. We gingerly exited our caravan
of goodwill. A few introductions were
made by the bravest of our group, but there was a general feeling of
awkwardness…..until one smart mama who goes nowhere without bubbles took action
(we Highlands Ranch moms know how to rollJ). Suddenly, the language barrier was broken as
bubbles started to float through the air.
Children of different native tongues found a common language as they
popped bubbles with glee, unaware of how different their lives were. We worked together as one big team to unload
the cars and organize all the excess in the church basement. Then my family loaded up in our shiny white
car and drove off….to the science museum of course (How could I deprive them of
their daily glee?).
I think the experience left a bigger imprint on me than my
boys. I’m left with the realization of
how important it is to cross barriers and serve those in need as part of our everyday
life. I want my boys to feel comfortable
around all people, not just those that have a similar lifestyle. Adjusting my cruise schedule and stocking up
on bubbles might be the key to making this realization a reality. (And being shown up by a more prepared-for-fun
mama is only a small part of my motivation;-).
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