It has been several months since that day we talked and she made a decision on how she would respond to the discussion about her scars. You can read about it here.
It is only $35 a month, but to a 7 year old that is a lot of money. In our house, that is 35 days of making Mom and Dad's bed at $1 per bed makeover, one of the many creative ways she has chosen to raise her money (her bed doesn't count since it is her responsibility). Her price seems expensive but it is for a good cause, she says. Last week, I entered my room to the strong aroma of perfume. I mean strong! My nose followed the scent to my pillow. Gracie stood pleased and asked if the extra eau de toilette might get her an extra quarter for her Jars for China. I said, "Of course" (and then I opened up all the windows and aired out my pillow case). We have also found flowers (pulled from vases around the apartment) placed on our pillows, stuffed animals, Graciemade sleeping crowns, and other delights on our neatly made bed to the cost of an extra quarter here or there. At the end of the month, she hands over $35 in bills and her variation of coins, which has included piles of pennies (she like Abe a lot). I make the payment with my card and we deposit the money in the bank together. We just made our third month today.
I am watching my daughter whose passion for this has not slowed down. I am thankful to see the light in her eyes when she talks about her friend, Gabriella. I am amazed to see the little sacrifices she makes to use her money for her friend she is sponsoring rather than tempting treats or things. She loves to tell the story of Gabriella and get the latest update on how she is doing. Joy. That is what I see in her face. Joy that she is doing something positive. Joy in knowing that she is helping Gabriella.
Christmas is around the corner and she is already thinking about presents. She is enlisting her aunties and doting grandparents. In the past, our family has chosen to do a gift for someone that we all do together. Gracie is putting Gabriella's name in the hat hoping that this year, Gabriella will get that extra something special.
Total raised for Gabriella: $124.35
I am struck with something today. We have just finished the holiday of thanksgiving and I am hoping that we have taken the opportunity to truly be grateful for that which we have. It is so easy to get caught up in the negative, in the loss, the hurt, the injustice. But to take all the tough stuff and still enter each moment with gratitude and with hope can change the way we see things and the way we respond to our hurt, our scars. Taking our hurt and from it, choosing to do something positive means that we are making our world better in spite of all the injustice and sadness. And before we even know it, we begin to heal ourselves. And those scars that could threaten to make us hard, instead become fuel to change.
We are entering in to the season of hope...of giving...of joy....How is it that we will turn hurt to joy? How is it we can turn hopelessness to hopefulness? How are we going to give in order to heal...ourselves and those around us?
Gabriella is one special little one of many beautiful, special little ones at An Orphan's Wish. If you would like to get involved in their lives by giving, check them out here:
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