Yesterday, the kids in I were driving in the car. We were listening to the radio, as we frequently do....they were laughing hysterically in the back seat. And then, on the radio, "Do They Know its Christmas?" came on. In one moment, I felt the chills start at my toes and quickly crawl up my neck. I felt the lump in my throat. Thinking back, I don't remember hearing it last Christmas, and if I did, I was probably too caught up in everything else going on in my life last year. I listened to the words. Every word. And I thought first, of my children, and then, of their Ethiopia daddy, brother, grandmother, auntie, and all of their cousins. "There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas. The greatest gift they'll get this year is life. There is a world outside your window. Feed the world..." It was 1984, and the photos of the famine are forever etched in my mind. Sunken eyes, swollen bellies. Its not the same Ethiopia that I know. Lush and green. But, the famine isn't over. Children are still dying. Families are starving. There isn't enough clean water or food. So, then, when I heard the words, "Well tonight thank God its them instead of you," I almost lost it, with my kids laughing in the backseat. I have grown to seriously dislike that lyric. Their family is my family. This is my family they are talking about. I do care for them, and haven't thought for a second that I am glad its them and not us. I would do anything to help them. To feed them, provide clean water, healthcare and an education for their brother and cousins. I know I am not alone here. And, yes, the words to this song mean so much more to me now than they ever did in 1984.
Although I recognize that I can't "Feed the World," I can feed a child. Sponsorship will save a child, a family and perhaps an entire community. With $25, I can feed a child in Ghana three meals a day for an entire month. Click here to learn how: http://feedingtheorphans.com/donate. You can give the gift of helping to provide clean water to a town with a population of 10,000 people in Ethiopia: http://www.mudulawater.org/ or, you can provide life saving infant formula at http://brightontheirworld.org/.
I need to take some time during this Christmas frenzy, to remember what is most important. So this Christmas, I am going to promise myself to say a prayer or two, for their family, and for those all over the world who are not as fortunate as we are.
Accra Time
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I don't know if you watch the show, "Glee," but they used that song at the end of their Christmas show, and they used it in such an inappropriate manner. The kids sang it while in a soup kitchen, serving homeless people meals, and they were all smiling and laughing and such while singing it. It made me cringe. I've always felt the meaning behind the song, but of course I feel so much more now (and I'm sure that will exponentially increase once I have a family in Ethiopia to consider).
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Amy. I, too, have all sorts of conflicting emotions when I hear this song. But I especially loathe that "thank God it's them..." part. And Kelly, I'm really glad I missed that episode of Glee. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the "thank God it's them and not you" line. I understand being thankful for what you have, but not being grateful that someone else got the bad fortune of struggling to survive. I don't think that was their intent, but that's how it comes off.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost inconceivable to think of the millions who go to bed hungry :(
ReplyDeleteHelping one child may seem like a small step, but it may very well save a life.
Thank you honey for the reminder. Love, Mom
I agree, every time I heard that song over the past few months, I would cry, it is so real and people will never understand poverty like there is over there, I didn't until I saw it for myself. We have to continue to educate those around us.
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