From a conversation today, here’s what I have learned: people see it, even if I try to brush it off.
Thank you Mrs. O. for seeing something in me that I try to brush off, but secretly love. It is my dream to be as good a writer as you think I am.
Thank you Mrs. O. for seeing something in me that I try to brush off, but secretly love. It is my dream to be as good a writer as you think I am.
And so, I bleed.
Today, I’m bleeding for homeless and hungry students. I’m formulating a plan for that. But right now, let me tell you what I posted on my Facebook wall, in case you wonder where this post came from.
I simply shared this photo:
I’m not friends with Senator Sanders, I don’t follow any of his groups. I’m not even really sure how this post showed up on my newsfeed. But what I can tell you is this: as soon as I saw this picture, I saw several faces. Faces I know well.
One of my friends who is from my homestate, but I met abroad wrote me back. He was very respectful and gave me information which supported why he disagreed with me on this point. What happened was that I read my friend’s comment, and I agreed with him, and then I explained why I wrote what I wrote. And here is what I said:
“I love what you had to say here, and I do agree with you. However, my intent was not so much to take aim at the businesses or the large corporations who get tax breaks – because we do need them, and their employment! I did want to share that there are children right here in front of our very eyes who are homeless. Sometimes we don’t believe they are homeless, or don’t want to admit that they are homeless, but there are without a permanent home nonetheless. I know more kids than I would like to admit who do not have a home to go to each night. They do not have a stable parent to teach them about love and life, and nurture them. I know so many kids who have one parent, maybe two, how can not eek out a living or make poor choices and these INNOCENT children suffer, without proper clothing or food. So, you see, yes, we do need employers in the US, I agree VERY MUCH with that. WE need to take back our production, innovation, and ingenuity that made our nation self sufficient after the Great Depression. We need to stop shipping jobs out of our country and keep them here. WE need to stop taxing everyone until they bleed. Really, we do.” (Then I told him I’m creating a post about this, and proceeded to bleed out this next part…)
“I love what you had to say here, and I do agree with you. However, my intent was not so much to take aim at the businesses or the large corporations who get tax breaks – because we do need them, and their employment! I did want to share that there are children right here in front of our very eyes who are homeless. Sometimes we don’t believe they are homeless, or don’t want to admit that they are homeless, but there are without a permanent home nonetheless. I know more kids than I would like to admit who do not have a home to go to each night. They do not have a stable parent to teach them about love and life, and nurture them. I know so many kids who have one parent, maybe two, how can not eek out a living or make poor choices and these INNOCENT children suffer, without proper clothing or food. So, you see, yes, we do need employers in the US, I agree VERY MUCH with that. WE need to take back our production, innovation, and ingenuity that made our nation self sufficient after the Great Depression. We need to stop shipping jobs out of our country and keep them here. WE need to stop taxing everyone until they bleed. Really, we do.” (Then I told him I’m creating a post about this, and proceeded to bleed out this next part…)
But we also need to stop lying to ourselves that we are not affecting the youth, the innocent children, who oftentimes do not have a choice but to be homeless, hungry and hurting. And we need a society of helpers who are willing to let go of blame and judgement of the parents and children, and start showing them true mercy and compassion. Who among us could go to work with no food, no water, and lest we say, NO COFFEE!!! (That coffee thing is for me). Who could be productive and happy, and unashamed if they were forced to live this life day in and day out, with no hot water to bathe or clean clothes. We live in a first world nation. Is there not enough to go around? Is there no one willing to serve without judgement? Just without knowing anything about this politician, without thinking very clearly (I’m sick, cut me a tiny break, please?), I saw this picture, and I see faces of kids I PERSONALLY KNOW. And I want people who see my news feed to think about them. These kids I know. These kids who are innocent to the situation they are in – it’s not their fault. These kids who learn from the lack of nurturing adults in their lives, or the harsh judgement of others because of the choices their parents make. Who will teach these children that there is HOPE? Who will show them that there is COMPASSION? Who will remind them that they are PRECIOUS? Who? Because if they don’t have anyone to give them earthly necessities, who is giving them the Eternal One? In this area, there is no one on the street corner proselytizing. There are no signs being held up proclaiming freedom from oppression, and love and mercy for all. There is only one shelter and we JUST got that shelter last year. We have a band of Angels who give food and clothing to the needy (if they come or if the Angels hear of them), and help out with utility bills or maybe some home repairs. We have these Angels who help in great ways. But when I see these children’s faces, I do not know if they understand that they are LOVED.
I don’t want to look the other way anymore. I don’t want to let anyone ignore the obvious. I can’t let people ignore the obvious anymore. Because if I ignore, if we ignore, we break ties, we break down the connections that we have to each other. There are kids depending on us.
None of this has to do with politics, except that all of it has to do with politics. You see, there are people in this world who are on the front lines of society doing; and there are people in this world who are on the sidelines talking. I understand the need for law, and support a civilized society. Except that the term “civilized” seems to apply to the minority and no longer the majority. When we the people have allowed those writing the laws to write themselves a blank check, we have written ourselves out of the freedoms our forefathers died to protect. I’m worried about these kids who I know are homeless. I’m worried about what they think about, what they’re worried about, what they need, who they are crying out to, and how I can help them. I’m constantly thinking of how I can help their situation.
I know one way. I don’t have a lot of money to spare, but I have plenty of HOPE, plenty of COMPASSION and plenty of LOVE to share with these hungry kids. I want them to see that when they see me. I want them to feel that when they are in my presence. Poverty is a problem that isn’t likely to go away soon. But Love is a commerce in which we could all stand to do a little better in exchanging.
© amysara and TheRFarm.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to amysara and TheRFarm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to amysara and TheRFarm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
© amysara and TheRFarm.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to amysara and TheRFarm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to amysara and TheRFarm with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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