When I was a young girl, I used to think about what I wanted
to do when I grew up. At first I wanted to be a teacher, and then as a child of
the 1960s watching television, I discovered something called the Peace Corps. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was an ambitious new social program started by the Kennedy administration. I wanted to go places, see things and help
people in far away lands who could not help themselves without me to teach
them. I knew right away joining that
organization was exactly what I wanted to do.
I excitedly ran to my mother and told her I
wanted to join the Peace Corps! She
smiled and told me no. The reality was
I, a child, was too young. I had to be
grown and go to college before they would accept me. I was disappointed, but not for long. The ’60s moved right along into the 1970s
and I moved too, forgetting all about my aspirations to join the Peace Corps.
It wasn’t until in the 1980s when I was grown, married, and
already had three children that I realized I would liked to have been a
missionary. But, missionaries went over
seas, didn’t they? I couldn’t leave my
family to help other families in need.
The reality was I had too many responsibilities; my children needed me
more than the rest of the world did, so I put the thoughts of being a
missionary out of my mind and went on with my life.
By the 1990s my family was just about grown and I started
searching my soul again. Missionary work
seemed to be out of the question so I looked in another direction. By the turn of the 21st century
things seemed to be changing. Hurricanes happened on the east coast and forest
fires burned in the west. Natural disasters were happening all over the United States. I always wanted to go to those places and
volunteer any services I could, but my life in the midwest kept me tied here. I worked in mental health services and with
juvenile placement; my children graduated high schools and colleges.
I knew I was never
going to exotic lands, not as a missionary; not even for a vacation. I watched as friends and relatives went to
all the faraway places I had always dreamed of while making do with the postcards and pictures they sent. I also
knew I would never be a missionary in the traditional sense because my calling
is to teach and work with those around me.
The people I have worked with, been friends with and those I have
counseled or in some way touched my life have made all of the difference. I don’t know if I would have been truly rewarded
had things been different. It doesn’t
really matter. I just continue to do as
I am called upon.
And now, one of those ways I can help is with
the World Wide Web, and to ask you to click on the link and take a look. A designer
of crochet patterns is donating all the proceeds from her very popular
lovey blankie to help out a family in need. Please read their story and allow
your heart to speak to you.
Posts
