We live in a lilly white resort town.
In an hours drive you can hit true, deep, concentrated poverty.
We took a group of kids to winterize a trailer for a Navajo family.
Most of their animals froze to death last winter.
Max grumbled about this service project. It didn’t seem like a great way to spend a Sunday. The stark reality washed away any complaining. Where’s the road? No road, my dear. Do people really live here? Yep.
The animals. Sick and chained to a stake for life. Everywhere hungry.
The rez chickens LOVE trail mix.
The house we were working on looked palatial compared to the neighbors, but their previous winter was tough. A mom and a disabled daughter. We insulated and replaced broken windows.
Can we keep him? Will he die? Can I give him my lunch?
To be honest, it’s easier to rest your worries on all the poor animals.
I counted five small kids in this house.
“Mom, don’t they need us more?” Max asked.
and then he thought for a minute...
“There’s probably another house around here that’s even worse, do you think?”
"Yes, you’re right.” I said
"Then what do we do?” he wanted to know.
You just keep doing.
What you can.
When you can.
What you can.
When you can.
Note: An excellent Read Aloud on the subject of the forced migration of the Navajo from their homeland by the US government is Scott O’Dell’s Sing Down the Moon.
Thank you. For giving, for making this a better world... we are all touched by kindness.
ReplyDeletethank you for showing your kids the other side of the southwest.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me cry. I grew up in a Northern Arizona town that would bus kids in from the reservation for schooling, their stories were heartbreaking. Thank you for teaching your children compassion and allowing them to see things like this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the story of this day of giving and caring. It is certainly good for our kids who have so much to see what it is like not to have!
ReplyDeleteHow to teach them the heavy heartache of knowing our predecessors took away so much...
namaste.
It's knowing that people like you, who care and want to give back, are out there that gives me hope! Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such an important and touching moment with your kids. Although it is rough to see it is something more kids need to be involved - helping out the less fortunate in a hands on environment. They will remember it for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeleteOur town is the same way, extreme wealth and then a short drive and extreme proverty. There was a house close by that didn't even have running water, the two older women that lived there uses a hand pump in the yard! I love that you are teaching your children to lend a helping hand. We CAN make this a better world!
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Thank you for sharing this. I was truly moved to tears by both the photos and your son's comments.
ReplyDeleteThis was so touching Ivey, what a wonderful experience for you and your family. What we can, when we can--love that motto...Thanks for sharing this very special day with us...
ReplyDeletexo
this is a really moving post. thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteIvy and her kids are amazing -- want to do a plug for the Youth Program at St Marks, Durango -- sponsored the trip
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful way to spend an afternoon. I think you made a pretty big impression on your little guy. These are hard things to learn and to teach.
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