Appreciation creates new viewpoint

Appreciation creates new viewpoint

The concept of a new attitude on life had little meaning throughout my life until I was almost 13 years old.

In the winter of 2012, my family joined a program called Safe Families for Children, a crisis care program designed to assist struggling families in their time
of need. Members take in young children for weeks or months at
a time to feed them, play with them and give them a place to call home until their guardian is able to get back on their feet.

At 12 years old, I was not fully aware of what my family was doing. We babysat all the time, but when one of the kids we were taking care of stayed for over a month and through Christmas,

I started to feel frustrated about what we were doing.

I felt as though Christmas was a day for just our family. Why was it our job to take care of these kids? What did we have to do with it?

After six different kids came through our house, I finally understood what we were doing.

I realized this after overhearing my parents discussing the situation a child was in before he came to our home. This was the first time I had heard of mature, real life issues like unemployment or homelessness. It was then I started to learn more about the program, and why it was so important.

This was a slap in the face. It really opened my eyes. I, a child born into a family where I was lucky enough to not worry about basic needs, remember feeling so awful about my selfishness and my obvious ignorance.

Previously, I had volunteered and worked with people far less fortunate than I, and I always felt an immense sense of pride and accomplishment during my service, so I was even more confused as to how I could possibly have felt the way I did.

Today, with over 40 different kids having come in and out of my home, I always love to think about the impact that a simple realization made.

“

What’s the point?

“Recognize what you have and give accordingly

The stories my mom and dad have told me about struggling parents getting back on their feet, and being able to reunite with their children never ceases to put a toothy grin on my face.

Perspective is everything in life. It takes a changing view to grow as an individual and as a community so helping others never seems like an inconvenience or a chore.