Great video. We are all such egotistical beings. We all love to feel sorry for ourselves, most of us love it secretly even subconsciously… but we do love it. I am blessed to be able to do a lot of work with The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp here in CT. The camp was started by Paul Newman, and it is for kids that are really sick, a lot of cancer etc. Many of them spend ten months a year in the hospital and have no real friends.
They come to the camp, all expenses paid, and have an incredible week. Horseback riding, fishing, boating, swimming, crafts, carpentry, etc. It really is a VERY cool kids camp.
Every time I go there I see some of the bravest kids in the world. Now… they don't realize they are being brave… they're just being kids. But to see them laughing and joking and playing with the other kids with very little self loathing, pity or need to "feel like they have been given a raw deal". Well… it's just really inspirational. The folks at the camp are always SO gracious. (We provide a big burst of confetti and streamer for them at their final party) They tell us how wonderful what we are doing is for the kids and how much they are grateful for us being there etc. I always say It's us that are thankful to be able to share such a powerful human moment. It really is cool!
Thanks for reminding me again not to be a putz,
I truly believe that life is it's own reward, accept it, love it and make the most of each day. I know doing exactly that makes my days full and happy!
Sherman, thanks for sharing that video with all of us. It's truly inspirational, not just for the acts and accomplishments of the two, but on the family 'landscape' as well.
Spending time with, looking into the eyes of, truly seeing who our children are. Helping them to live their dreams, discover themselves - in spite of what the experts and tests say, instead of what we think they should do or want or strive for. That's beautiful. That's a dad!
I've been thinking about this quite a bit - the disabled (or as we say differently abled). And I've been thinking that of the hundreds of kids I spend every Wednesday with, there are many there who hurt. They have all the physical functions of a 'perfect' human, but they are emotionally disabled - leery of adults and burdened with heavy hearts.
These kids also don't shout "It's not fair," or "Why me?" They simply endure. They're my little heros and I have worked hard to reach them on some level, any level. The breakthroughs are the most glorious blessings!
How do breakthroughs come about? The same way it happened for 'Pa Hoyt' - by looking into their eyes, taking an honest interest, and listening.
It surely doesn't take 17 hours a day (but wouldn't that be glorious if we all could spend 17 hours a day on our children?) it just takes a concerted effort. And it doesn't matter if the child isn't even yours (although I do believe that the children of the world are all of our responsibilities).
Thanks again Sherman, not just for reminding us that our lives are full of blessings unseen and unappreciated, but that all children have a need to be heard, recognized, acknowledged, protected, and helped to find themselves and realize their dreams.
You are one of my heros, as always,
Laura Childs
P.S. In America April is Help Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect month. In Canada it is November - buy a purple ribbon and help support the children in need in your own community.
2 Comments »
October 2, 2006
John Jaworski said:
Great video. We are all such egotistical beings. We all love to feel sorry for ourselves, most of us love it secretly even subconsciously… but we do love it. I am blessed to be able to do a lot of work with The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp here in CT. The camp was started by Paul Newman, and it is for kids that are really sick, a lot of cancer etc. Many of them spend ten months a year in the hospital and have no real friends.
They come to the camp, all expenses paid, and have an incredible week. Horseback riding, fishing, boating, swimming, crafts, carpentry, etc. It really is a VERY cool kids camp.
Every time I go there I see some of the bravest kids in the world. Now… they don't realize they are being brave… they're just being kids. But to see them laughing and joking and playing with the other kids with very little self loathing, pity or need to "feel like they have been given a raw deal". Well… it's just really inspirational. The folks at the camp are always SO gracious. (We provide a big burst of confetti and streamer for them at their final party) They tell us how wonderful what we are doing is for the kids and how much they are grateful for us being there etc. I always say It's us that are thankful to be able to share such a powerful human moment. It really is cool!
Thanks for reminding me again not to be a putz,
I truly believe that life is it's own reward, accept it, love it and make the most of each day. I know doing exactly that makes my days full and happy!
Thanks Sherman!
John Jaworski
October 19, 2006
Laura Childs said:
Sherman, thanks for sharing that video with all of us. It's truly inspirational, not just for the acts and accomplishments of the two, but on the family 'landscape' as well.
Spending time with, looking into the eyes of, truly seeing who our children are. Helping them to live their dreams, discover themselves - in spite of what the experts and tests say, instead of what we think they should do or want or strive for. That's beautiful. That's a dad!
I've been thinking about this quite a bit - the disabled (or as we say differently abled). And I've been thinking that of the hundreds of kids I spend every Wednesday with, there are many there who hurt. They have all the physical functions of a 'perfect' human, but they are emotionally disabled - leery of adults and burdened with heavy hearts.
These kids also don't shout "It's not fair," or "Why me?" They simply endure. They're my little heros and I have worked hard to reach them on some level, any level. The breakthroughs are the most glorious blessings!
How do breakthroughs come about? The same way it happened for 'Pa Hoyt' - by looking into their eyes, taking an honest interest, and listening.
It surely doesn't take 17 hours a day (but wouldn't that be glorious if we all could spend 17 hours a day on our children?) it just takes a concerted effort. And it doesn't matter if the child isn't even yours (although I do believe that the children of the world are all of our responsibilities).
Thanks again Sherman, not just for reminding us that our lives are full of blessings unseen and unappreciated, but that all children have a need to be heard, recognized, acknowledged, protected, and helped to find themselves and realize their dreams.
You are one of my heros, as always,
Laura Childs
P.S. In America April is Help Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect month. In Canada it is November - buy a purple ribbon and help support the children in need in your own community.