I've decided I need to start something new and add a post every Thursday. I have several friends who do "throwback Thursday", which is fun. Today was just one of those days where I felt so much gratitude for my life. Here's to 'Thankful Thursdays'.
Tonight it was my turn to volunteer at a community night held at my school. It was fun to have all of the kids and their parents come for a free night of science experiments and food. I teach within a community that is at and below the poverty level. The people are real, hard working, considerate, endearing, and proud of the things they have. I often get rocks, small used toys, bouquets of dandelions, and leftover apples from lunch as gifts from my students. They are genuinely excited to give me anything they have, and I accept it all with enthusiasm, excitement, and hugs.
Tonight as I was wandering around the activity watching the kids it made me think of the opportunities that these kids most likely will not have in their lives. I hope they all fight to graduate from high school. I hope advantages will come along for them that help them along their way. I hope they will find a way to attend college. I hope they will be able to find good employment and be able to support a family. I hope their lives are easier than the lives of their parents. A lot of the parents in the community work 2, 3, 4 minimum wage jobs, barely scraping by. They have no advantages, aren't cut any breaks, and go without necessities. Life isn't fair. Most of us are a product of our environment. Sometimes we can rise above it.
I am beyond thankful for the advantages that I have had throughout my life, and continue to have. There are many! I am thankful for the parents who raised me and provided not only advantages but countless opportunities for me to succeed. I am thankful that I have an education and a career in which I can be involved in the lives of these kids who need extra encouragement and love. They are just as capable as any other child in this world!
Sometimes I just need to remind myself that even though I wonder what in the world I'm doing with my life, I sure am thankful for where I'm at. I'm one lucky girl.
