Teaching my boys to give

My boys have never had to want for anything.

They live a very rich, full life.

Sometimes, too full; not always as rich as any of us would like.

I did not grow up with designer jeans or any of the trendy clothes.

I wasn’t one of the cool kids because I didn’t hang out at the pool or play sports.

I was, however, always warm and my tummy was always full.

I was cared for and cherished by a mom that had ‘been there, done that’ EIGHT times before me, yet I was her baby and I showered with so much love.

It would be a lie to say I don’t wish things had been slightly different.

I wish I could have fit in more.

I really wanted Girbaud jeans BEFORE they were on there way out, instead of the pair I got from the outlets when everyone had moved on to something else.

I really wanted a new clarinet instead of the old one that smelled like moth balls.

I can’t change MY childhood, but I can change things for my own kids.

My boys now have cool clothes and participate in group activities and have more friends than I can keep up with.

Sometimes I think I over do things.

I want to find balance.

I want them to see that others lack the things they take for granted.

I want to teach them that they can fill the gaps.

We can fill the gaps, together.

I want them to someday know where that fine line lies when they have kids.

I’m sure they won’t, but I can try.

Some may think that my blogging brings in money. It does not. Not even close.

It does bring in other riches though.

Riches I would have never found without these words I type when the moods strikes me.

These riches are friendships I have formed with other bloggers; other moms. 

These moms also want to find balance withe their children.

One such friend wrote a BEAUTIFUL book about a Princess that already had that figured out. 

Sadie’s creator, my beautiful friend Amanda, had the opportunity to travel to India with Children’s Hope Chest back in November 2012.

As I read her blog posts, my heart broke for the children there. I hugged my babies tighter. I longed to hold the boys and girls she posted about.

When Amanda came home, she shared a few pictures of kids that would need to be sponsored.

I scanned the pictures she laid out on her sofa and each face looked so hopeful, so full of life and opportunity. Opportunity they might not get if I didn’t help. 

I knew we had to bring one of these kids into our lives.

I knew which boy, almost immediately, of course it was a boy. How could it be anything but?!

His eyes spoke to me. 

I know that might sound strange, but something about him reminded me of my sweet boy, Lucas.

Amanda knew exactly who I was talking about just from my description and today, January 7th 2013, I have committed to sponsor this little boy until he no longer needs me to sponsor him.

My boys will write to him, send him pictures and learn about HIS life in India.

I hope that he writes back and that we get to watch him grow into a fine young man with a great life.

I hope that they form a true friendship with him and can someday help in other ways.

This is Rohit.

My wish is that he helps MY boys find a new joy in life. A joy in GIVING to others and helping them with the little things they need in life.

Clearly this little boy is already full of joy, but I hope we can make his life a little easier.

I hope that one day, I get to give him a REAL hug and tell him how much he changed our lives for the better.