Photo by Jamiesrabbits
By now, most of us have seen the pictures and listened to the news of unspeakable disaster in Haiti.
We can’t possibly imagine the loss and devastation. And we feel deep sorrow for these people, many of whom will never embrace their mother or father or child again. They are alone in a land of ruin.
Photo by United Nations Development Programme
In a week this will be old news. For us.
Our children are watching to see how we react in situations of this nature, even when we feel strapped financially. Do we sympathize but sit back? Do we let someone else take care of it? Do we make excuses? Do we wait for the news to pass?
These are somebody’s children. Dead. Missing.
Photo by United Nations Development Programme
I’ve written before about my family’s core values. One of them is Responsibility: We have a responsibility to ourselves, to our community, and to our world.
If I value the fact that I have a responsibility to be a positive force in the world, then I shouldn’t think twice about donating money to Haiti relief. I don’t say this as someone who has extra cash to spare. I don’t. I say this as someone who feels that this is what I must do.
Photo by United Nations Development Programme
It won’t be long before my daughter starts to hold me accountable. Do I act on my word? Or are my words empty?
We must act. Our children are watching.
Please join me in helping to rebuild Haiti:
Our Chance International (My family is personally supporting this organization. Thanks to the donations, a medical team is responding at this very moment.)
and many more!
This is part of the Moms’ 30-Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom.
Sarah Morris says:
thanks MJ- great post. you’re right- congruence is often the hardest value to embody–but remembering not to just talk about our values, but live them and model them is so important.
January 19, 2010 at 11:22 pm
se7en says:
Absolutely!!! Our kids sure do what we do rather than what we say… Actions really do speak louder than words!!! Great 30 minute Post.
January 20, 2010 at 2:06 am
Susan@improvamama says:
The pictured quote says it all for me. It is important to get to compassion and more important to find ways to turn that to action. LIke you, we’re donating money that we didn’t think we had but know that there are so many things we can forgo. And I’m making sure to talk about it with my little person when we make donations or volunteer. She’s too young to “get it” but I’m hoping it will instill action. For myself, I am reminded that I need to make it a priority this year to do the first responder training I’ve been interested in for years…eventually I want to be able to take even more meaningful action.
January 20, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Shannon says:
Oh so true! thank you!
Shannon´s last blog ..Self-control, self-regulation and play
January 21, 2010 at 3:01 pm
mir says:
mj, your words really touched me. thank you for this meaningful post.
January 24, 2010 at 3:17 pm
judi says:
As a nation, and as individuals ,we must remember..”to those whom much is given -much is required.” I believe we usually become more loving and giving when we become parents—because we realize WE are responsible for the character of this innocent little person that God has entrusted to us…and they ARE watching.
Thanks for the beautiful reminder.
January 24, 2010 at 9:13 pm