Third times a charm... or a rude awakening... and 1000 Gifts

Three times today an incredibly devastating and inconceivable (beyond our narrow scope of all things TV, internet, and newsprint) reality of human suffering has been brought to my attention (Someone upstairs clearly telling me to pay attention beyond my little bubble and get over feeling sorry for myself)… After hearing and reading about the worst drought and famine in over 60 years affecting OVER 12 MILLION people in parts of Africa, I felt convicted and spoiled (even as we try to figure out how we are going to afford our usual groceries and basic bills each month with one shaky income… its embarrassing to admit that I thought we are/were “barely making ends meet” when these people can’t even get basic water- let alone CLEAN water- food, or proper medical attention). I can’t help but think that every door closes for a reason. And before we realize it, another door or even a small window- a glimmer of hope or assurance- opens a new opportunity. I cannot even BEGIN to imagine the pain and suffering these people are enduring. I cannot even BEGIN to imagine what it would be like if I had to trek on foot, with Jayme on my back (hungry for anything that might possibly cross her lips), for days on end in the brutal desert just to possibly find resources at a camp that will provide some minuscule nourishment and maybe some way to prevent widespread measles among other life-threatening diseases (the little provisions that get past the corrupt government who is hoarding the supplies for themselves and the military)… It literally brings tears to my eyes to realize how blessed I am only after seeing the nightmare happening in Africa (my heart strings as a mom are particularly sensitive to those children who depend on the aid of their dying parents)… I have used the line “Well it’s bad, but it could be worse… we could be starving orphans in Ethiopia!” - and now I feel so humbled and lame that the ignorant words that escape my mouth are not just words, but to over 12 million people they are a harsh reality.

I’ve been reading a book that a friend (who has inspired me in more ways than she realizes) gifted me. 1000 Gifts, by Ann Voskamp, has truly touched my heart and has opened my eyes to the countless blessings that surround everyday life and that may have gone unappreciated or unnoticed until now.

This book, coupled with this overwhelming human suffering, has given me a new inspiration for my life and as a result- my blog. (side note* I realize there is tragedy- and possibly even to this scale or worse- in other parts of the world, and I am not ignoring or lessening the severity of those circumstances- I have just been rocked to the core by the awareness this famine has brought me.) I realize updates on our little family (accompanied with pictures of our growing little girl) are entertaining and bring joy to some of you who follow (i.e. Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and Great-Grandparents, etc.), but I feel it is important to appreciate my countless blessings (heck- the fact I have a computer to type on and the freedom to publish my thoughts on the internet are blessings in themselves!)

  1.     As Ryan likes to say, our child “eats regular and has a roof over her head” (a basic need that often gets taken for granted) 

she loves to paint with nutella as much as she enjoys eating it

  2.     In keeping with our child’s eating- baby fat and chubby thighs.
  3.     The infectious laughter that fills our home when Jayme is simply happy (sometimes I wish we could truly re-live and appreciate the innocence of a child as the world around them is full of turmoil and yet they have genuine laughter and happiness)

  4.     Healthcare. Even if it is out-of-this-world inflated and ridiculous, at least it’s available and my child is healthy because of it.
 5.     The smell of clean baby.

6.     Mid-afternoon on a Tuesday dance party with my toddler, simply because WE CAN.

 to be continued....