If you’ve read this blog for awhile, you’ve seen a picture of son # 1 and son # 2. And while I’ve never posted a picture of son # 3, the opportunity to sneak a peak at him has always been available.
If you click (or have clicked) on the link to OneChild on this blog, that’s where you’ll find him. Sam is a member of this non-profit organization. This is a youth driven and run organization dedicated to the elimination of the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
How this child of mine finds the time to do well in school and actively participate in this organization is a mystery to me. (Have you ever heard the expression, “If you want a job done, give it to a busy man?” Well, Sam’s your man.)
While they were growing up, I taught my children to live by a simple version of the Golden Rule — “Be kind.” They’re not wimps — they’ve come home with the black eyes and bruises to prove it. I also taught them to stand up for their beliefs. But I do believe that the simple act of being (or trying to be) kind in just about any situation makes for a better world.
Sam not only took this lesson to heart in the sense of how he views the world — he took it to a more active level in terms of how he lives his life. He’s been volunteering for worthy causes since a very young age. He firmly believes that he gets more out of volunteering than any of those who benefit from his work.
In the summer of 2004 at the age of 17 he went to Thailand to work in the slums and in orphanages for children with AIDS. He did this with the organization Leaders Today.
Last summer he and other members of OneChild went to the Philippines for a month in order to learn further about the child sex trade. He was one of the members who went undercover in an attempt to discover and rescue a child from a life of prostitution.
Both trips made a lasting impression. He has experienced things that few people his age (or any age) ever have or will.
Am I proud? Of course. Sometimes fearful? Oh, yes.
Tomorrow Sam is going to be a guest blogger on BooksEtc.
Please read what he has to say. He is not requesting money.
If you click (or have clicked) on the link to OneChild on this blog, that’s where you’ll find him. Sam is a member of this non-profit organization. This is a youth driven and run organization dedicated to the elimination of the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
How this child of mine finds the time to do well in school and actively participate in this organization is a mystery to me. (Have you ever heard the expression, “If you want a job done, give it to a busy man?” Well, Sam’s your man.)
While they were growing up, I taught my children to live by a simple version of the Golden Rule — “Be kind.” They’re not wimps — they’ve come home with the black eyes and bruises to prove it. I also taught them to stand up for their beliefs. But I do believe that the simple act of being (or trying to be) kind in just about any situation makes for a better world.
Sam not only took this lesson to heart in the sense of how he views the world — he took it to a more active level in terms of how he lives his life. He’s been volunteering for worthy causes since a very young age. He firmly believes that he gets more out of volunteering than any of those who benefit from his work.
In the summer of 2004 at the age of 17 he went to Thailand to work in the slums and in orphanages for children with AIDS. He did this with the organization Leaders Today.
Last summer he and other members of OneChild went to the Philippines for a month in order to learn further about the child sex trade. He was one of the members who went undercover in an attempt to discover and rescue a child from a life of prostitution.
Both trips made a lasting impression. He has experienced things that few people his age (or any age) ever have or will.
Am I proud? Of course. Sometimes fearful? Oh, yes.
Tomorrow Sam is going to be a guest blogger on BooksEtc.
Please read what he has to say. He is not requesting money.
18 comments:
Wow. I'm totally blown away by your amazing kids. And it's really wonderful how they in one way or another take an interest in your blog. I can't wait to read tomorrow's guest post!
Your love and committment for your kids reminds me of this great quote by author Calvin Trillin, which was brought to my attention by a writer/cartoonist friend of mine:
"Sometimes, I find myself drawn to the simplest possible way of explaining what may count in rearing children: your children are either the center of your
life or they're not, and the rest is commentary."
Can't wait to hear from Sam the Man - no pressure kiddo!
What an lovely family....he must have seen some completely harrowing situations. I am looking forward to hearing from him.
patricia: Re: the quotation. It's a loaded one. I'm still pondering it. I guess I chose to make my kids the centre of my life when I had them and then stopped working "outside the home." Raising them well became my raison d'etre. But they can't remain the centre of my life - for their sakes and mine.
And then there's my husband - where does he fit into this equation?
See - I'm still thinking...
megan: Stay tuned - my "baby" is gonna blog!
oreneta: Oh, yes, he saw and was affected by so much of what he experienced. What a life education he's been having.
Wow...what an amazing fellow. The world needs more Sams.
Going undercover in the Philippine child sex trade? Oh my goodness...yeah that's a little scary.
I'll be looking forward to tomorrows post.
trish: Very scary. Needless to say, I had no idea that was in the plans. I find out these things afterward. Which I guess is for the best - otherwise I'd never give my permission for him to go.
Respect to the Kid! As Trish said, the world needs more people like him.
I shall look forward to tomorrow's post! Outstanding effort young man!
john:
Thanks for those kind words!
He is a great kid.
I'll be here. Save me a seat!!!
While I love my kids right now because they're little, sometimes I think it would be a relief to see them grown and fabulous, like yours!
mof3: I know it's tempting, but don't be in a rush to have those precious childhood years go by too fast! (They do anyway - when you look back...)
And every stage brings headaches, heartache and joy.
He does sound like a pretty cool kid. I think by the time I was 17 I might have left my state once. Oh well.
And I look forward to reading his post.
Kudos for raising some fantastic children!
See... they did well even though you don't still do their laundry after they move out! ;)
dorky dad: Well, if I left the province as a teenager it was to go on a vacation! I was certainly no shining star for him to follow...
princess pointful: Yeah, but I'll still do their laundry if they bring it home...shame on me...
What a fabulous kid! You must be so proud! :-)
attila: I'm proud of all of them!
You are an amazing mom cuz you have some amazing kids Beth. that is a true testament to you.
congrats!
beth:
Thanks!
Maybe their father had something to do with it?? Nah, it was all me. ;)
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