The World Needs Love!

My most sincere apologies for delaying this post.  Though I have enjoyed the procrastination, I finally managed to write something that hopefully a few people will find of interest. 

I appreciated the occasion to visit Myanmar because the very next morning we to an outreach hosting Thai Aboriginals as well as, interestingly enough, Burmese refugees.  All of which were children.  These children were so skilled and produced the most beautiful crafts.  I was actually able to procure a few things to send to my only sister Anna.  The children were by far the most lovable kind-hearted and welcoming children I have ever encoutered in any part of the world.  I wanted to stay all week with these kids because they were so thankful for a place to stay and study languages and learn skills.  They loved having foreign visitors and were so disappointed to see us leave.

These children are working and they are happy.  Many children world-wide enjoy countless hours of freedom and leisure, with only minimal if any duties and are so dissatisfied that they rarely even enjoy their lack of responsibility.  Yet here were children who were happy because they were loved.  More often than not we as adults fret and stress over finances.  If we have a child how are we going to do this? How will we pay for that mWhat will we do when ect.?  But in all my travels and of all the children I have met I am beginning to realize more and more that the most content, most pleasant, and even the most successful children are those who have love.

Of course they may never live in a huge home or win a Nobel Prize, but they experience success in their lives doing whatever trade and hobbies are to their taste.  Senior American citizens often confess to me, “We were poor, but we were happy.  We had each other and we all loved each other.”  They grew up in a time when family was what mattered—not money!

I recal an instance several months into living in Rio de Janeiro when Austin and I decided to explore the local community for a pool that had been mentioned.  Having finished a recent project it seemed a perfect opportunity for a leisurely afternoon.

We quickly made our way through the streets and soon found our destination.  As we sat enjoying the warm sun and cool water our quiet solitude was abruptly interuppted by the sound of kids with whom we had played nearly everyday.  This truly was their novelty.  Seeing the ‘gringos’, not at school, but with them at the pool.  After playing and swimming they wanted to show us every detail of their world.

They found insects, introduced us to a new fruit, picked flowers (I should tell you the pool is situated at an abandoned railroad station).  As we explored the ruins, many courtyards, rusted train cars, all of which were overtaken with weeds and jungle undergrowth.  The once concrete floors and high ceilings were broken up and pulled down.  It really is an interesting place in retrospect.

The boys inevitable intrduced us to a dandillion.  We in response told him of the American tradition of wishing on the weed and attempting to blow each pedal from the flower in a single breath.  Quickly the wishing began and within a matter of seconds the very last pedal released its grip on the flower and was carried off in the gentle breeze.

Casual we asked the young boys wish.  His reply was so simple, so candid, and so sincere that I will never forget his face nor his response.

“I wished.” He began, “that you would never leave Brasil.”  He finished, as he took Austin by the hand.

We stood shocked.  We felt so meaningless. Yes, we had done some construction, and spent a few hourse a day playing games and sports with the kids.  This however, was the last thing I expected.  I had supposed he’d wish for a toy or to go to a soccer game, possibly even new shoes (If he had any I am sure they were worn and probably too small).  Yet, love, attention, and approval is the greatest need and the largest wish of this boy and children world-wide rich or poor.