Inspired To Do More

I received this message from one of my favorite Mutha's on CafeMom.

Okay, so I have to ask....  What did it take to make you someone who actually makes a difference rather than someone who just thinks about it? I always tell you that you inspire me, but who was your inspiration?  I believe that we all have moments in life when the way we think, believe, and act... can change the way we live.I also believe you are that catalyst for me. Just "knowing" you here on this little virtual world called CafeMom, has enlightened me to the world outside my door....and brightened the lives within my own home. What inspired you to do more?

 My journey started five years ago.

I had always been a fan of Oprah. I had watched hundreds of her shows throughout the years. One show changed me. It was called Christmas Kindness. I watched it alone on my couch late one night while The Hubby was back in his office. I was moved to tears as I watched all these amazing stories of the struggles that these children had gone through. I was moved to tears when I watched them open their presents. I was moved to tears to see their faces when they received a pair of tennis shoes, a soccer ball, and for the girls their first black baby doll. I was moved to tears by how much they appreciated the little things that they had received. I was moved to tears.

After I wiped my face and composed myself, I went back into our home office to tell The Hubby the news. Honey, I said. I just want to let you know, that one day we are going to adopt some African orphans.

He was taken back at first and said, "We can't live in California then. It's too expensive to live here with four children, let alone bring more kids into our home."

I looked at him and smiled and said, "Whatever, I just wanted to let you know."

Needless to say, I made him watch Christmas Kindness with me the following night. Two weeks later, on New Years Eve, he told me he wanted to adopt too.

Fast forward four years. After months of paperwork, fingerprints, social worker visits, and more paperwork, our country of choice closed all adoptions. My heart broke. After weeks of talking, decision making, and more paperwork, we changed countries. Fast forward 18 months later. We have two daughters from Guatemala.

I continued to watch Oprah and did the "little" things to try make a difference. I joined the ONE campaign, donated to UNICEF, and sponsored a woman through Woman for Woman International. I just didn't feel connected. I felt lost. How was I going to make the difference that I wanted to make?

During this time, I started "making t-shirts." It was a very frustrating time for me. I was trying to do something for myself, something outside of being a mom, and it just wasn't happening. Problems with screen printers and having a different vision than my partner frustrated me to the point of slowing down and eventually just stopping. I was in a funk.

In 2004, there was a movie released called Hotel Rwanda. Oprah recommended it, one of my favorites from Ocean's 11 Don Cheadle stared in it, and it was about Africa. I figured I couldn't go wrong. Once again, I was moved to tears. But it wasn't just tears. The credits started to role, and I placed my face into my hands, and sobbed for what seemed like 10 minutes. I was forever changed.

I was disgusted in myself for not knowing that this happened in 1994. I was 23 for goodness sakes. I should have known. I should have been aware. But I was so wrapped up in my own, college-boyfriend trouble-self serving life, that I didn't want to be aware. I knew now. I wasn't going to let that happen again.

Life moved on and things started happening with Muthahood once again. Ms. Brooke Shields was seen wearing one of the tanks and things started to pick up. The Hubby and I had many long talks over the next few weeks about what the future was for Muthahood. We decided to create a blog. I would write about the trials and tribulations of being a Mutha. The shirts started to sell one by one and I was excited if I could sell more than two in a week. But where would the money go? I only make $6 from each shirt and $1 from the license plates. If I sold 10 shirts (which would have been huge) what was I going to do with that $60? It could pay a small utility bill, 1/2 of the food bill for the week, OR it could change the lives of children in Africa. And in that moment, thinking and doing became one.

I knew too much about what was happening in the world. I became aware. And I knew...

I couldn't sit back any longer. I couldn't ignore the truth.

When I lay down in my warm bed, I know there are people in the world who are truly suffering. How can I sleep soundly? I can't sit back any longer. I cannot ignore the truth.

As I sit at my dinner table with my plate full of food, I know there are children in the world who are starving, not hungry, starving. I  can't sit back any longer. I cannot ignore the truth.

As I tuck my children safely in their bed at night, I know there are thousands of children in Uganda who must walk and be locked up in cages for their own safety so the rebels don't kidnap them to be child soldiers. These are the Invisible Children.  I can't sit back any longer. I cannot ignore the truth.

When I am up before dawn to drink my coffee in peace, I know there are children as young as four in Ghana who are fishing for their slave masters. They are known as the "fishing children." I can't sit back any longer. I cannot ignore the truth.

So the truth is out and I have chosen not to ignore it.

Will you?

Comments

[Olivia Deardorff]

Your words have touched my spirit and I am sincerely moved. I am so glad to have found this blog. Keep up the amazing insight- you are an inspiration:)

[Angie Flowers]

What a wonderful story. I know exactly how you feel. I really don't know how I am going to accomplish getting over there and connecting into what I think we are all feeling inside. Some still ignore. I know I did. I think I'm just a couple of years older than you. I am 40 as of this past August. 08-08-08 was my birthday! Its suppose to be extremely lucky. Thats why China started the summer olympics on that date. My boys are wonderful. They are 17 and almost 12. My 17 y o has volunteered with me and my 12 y o wants to do a habitat house so bad but he has to wait until he is 14. Well thats some more of my story. I got to run and get ready. I will be back online, interesting in finding out more about you. You sound simply divine. God sent!

[Rocky Turner]

Can't wait to get to know you!