7.10 am: Our youngest son got up crumpy because we didn't wake him up earlier, i.e. deprived him of some serious pre-school gaming activity on the x-box (yes, we let him, it's the last week of school before the holiday). Furthermore, he is pissy because we told him our Secret Santa is only allowed to spend $ 10.00 on a present. His comment: "You can't buy anything good for $ 10.00!"
7.30 am: Our middle son shuffled in from up his man-den. After a thorough inspection of our cabinet (filled with pop tarts, bread, peanut butter, syrup. oats and honey), our breakfast shelf in the pantry (cereal boxes of all shapes, sizes and colours, nuts, granola), the fruit bowl and the freezer (waffles, ice-cream, fries, garlic shrimps) he shrugged and complained: "We never have anything good to eat."
8.20 am: I time our school run so I can listen to the 'sleeze "on Virgin Radio - my daily dose of gossip,Today, the breakfast team skipped my beloved feature. Instead, I listened to a heartfelt story of goodwill here in the Vancouver area. The radio team was on location to bring Christmas Cheers to a family in need. In their case it was a single father with four children. According to the report this family didn't have enough food items in the house to feed a mouse, they don't have proper beds or bedding, no propper winter jackets or extravagent toys - i.e. electronic devices for entertainment. With the help of money and food donations of a major super market, a furniture institution and volunteers Virgin Radio was ready to offer this family a Christmas to remember.
At this point it hit me: We live in British Columbia, named after the Goddess of Wealth. BC, the Canadian province of wealth (timber, water and minerals)! This province offers one of the most varied landscapes in the world, consequently, the outdoor opportunities for sport, fun and recreation are as varied and fantastic as nowhere else in the world. (Please correct me if I am wrong)!
It is the province of plenty - plenty for some, but not all. To live in this extra-ordinary part of the world doesn't mean its residents live the wealthy lifestyle.
Awareness for the less fortunate is all around us. Newspapers and schools are bringing us up-to-date on how to bring relief for somebody in need. I am baffled by the extra-ordinary efforts institutions, stores, sport clubs and individuals are taking to collect toys or food. We are talking strip-athons, bra auctions, free train rides, tossing teddy bears on the ice after the first goal is scored at a major hockey game, fundraisers or good old money donations.
Yes, love and awareness is all around us and we are doing our best to let it show. Mysteriously, our emergency dinner supply - canned soups and pasta- disappears on a regular basis only to be found back as a donation for the Foodbank!
Our children may not be aware-ye t- of their fortunate situation in life, but it starts with awareness and hopefully will end with appreciation!
12.45 pm: Back at school to help selling raffle tickets before our Christmas concert. We were selling tickets to help our school to purchase playground equipment; we were selling cookies to help 'Bring Water to Kenya'.
We were ready to sell, our parents were ready to buy. We sold the lot! It was fantastic!
This is the real wealth of British Columbia: The willingness of many to create a difference in the lives of others either here or around the world.
Well done, Christina... good perspective.
ReplyDeleteThank you, - it is so easy to forget about "The Others" if your have so much of your own and take lots for granted!
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