This is MK. She is one of the happiest, sweetest, most enthusiastic people I've ever met. While I could probably fill a post with entertaining stories about all of the time we spent together in high school (like the time we almost got in a car accident on the way to the movies), this post is, selfishly enough, about me.
MK has become the woman I wanted to be. She is motivated to go halfway around the world to do what she can to help others. I have a few friends like this, actually - Matt leaves for the Peace Corp in the fall and Nathan and Tricia spent six months in Haiti last year, among others - and I am thankful to have had these people in my life. Partially because I can enjoy their experiences vicariously, and partially because it throws into focus how the image of my future self has changed with regard to others.
There's a verse from a song I know:
"Turn on my TV, there's a man tellin' me I can stop the hunger that's goin' on overseas. I won't send him my money, 'cause it won't do much good - I got people starvin' in my own neighborhood."
So as I sit here listening to the thunder, I can't help but think about those homeless in Kalamazoo that were grateful for today's warm weather, but are now concerned with finding shelter from the storm. Maybe I'm being melodramatic, maybe it won't actually rain tonight and everyone can rest easy on 60-degree concrete.
I suppose I'm just saying that I think a stronger home base will give us the strength and resources to help those in other communities. I can't single-handedly change national or world politics - not yet, at least - but I have the ability to help those around me.
It's entirely possible that living with a social worker is starting to rub off on me!
I mirror a lot of your sentiments here. And while it could be seen as rather melodramadic, I think you've got a great point. I think far too many people worry about the rest of the world when there is so much here that needs attention.
ReplyDeleteThe phrase that comes to mind is "lead by example", because I do not think the United States is doing this. How can we hope to create a healthy and free world, when we ourselves have so many people here in need.
I sometimes find the world rather exasperating, because as much as I wish to help... there is just so much out there that needs fixing.