Perspective

[Jessica Blocker]

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting at the dining room table; adressing a round of support letters. My 8 year old niece Kyrie (keer ee ay) walks in and immediately wants to know how she can help. She always wants to help :) She checks names off the list as I call them out to her, but after a few minutes she's like "what's this all for?" I procede to explain to her in 8 year old terms (which surprisingly turns out to be very similar to 24 year old terms) what I'm doing this summer and what these letters are all about. She's quite brilliant, btw. I show her where Africa is on the map, talk about disease and contaminated water, and tell her what we can do to help. I see the wonder in her eyes when I say that they don't have sinks with faucets and running water, and they walk for ages to get dirty water for their families. I explain what a well is and where water comes from, I tell her how a little bit of money changes their lives. Now she's excited. My terms were simple but they shook even me. It meant something to see things from her perspective, to explain things in simple terms, and feel the gratitude for the enormous blessings that I take for granted.

[Jesse Olson]

Kids are so cool. I wish I had more 8yr olds in my life.

[Amy Blocker Albanese]

Great post sis! Amen to Kyrie being brilliant -- sometimes she's a little too smart.

[Mindy Gunter]

That's really cool. I have been thinking about how I'm going to tell my students, who are 8 years old, about what I'm doing this summer. They are always asking me questions about my life, I haven't told them about this summer yet. They are in the middle of a big test this week. I can't wait to tell them and see their reactions! It's always interesting to hear their questions and get their perspective.