I just have to tell you that my littlest did the sweetest thing today.
I went yesterday to Target to pick up a few things for my upcoming trip to Bangladesh. You know, stuff that’s really important to have with me….Immodium, Pepto, Propel packets, and a new pair of yoga pants for an eternally long 30+ hours of airline travel. (Seriously…almost 5 hrs to LA, then almost 16 to Istanbul, and then another 8 to Dhaka….and that’s just the in-flight time.) I’m pretty sure my new yoga pants will be put to good use. Anywhoo….I picked up a couple of little things to take to Ritu, our sponsored child who I’ll get to meet when I’m in Bangladesh. I didn’t want to get too much or overwhelm her, but what 7 year old kid doesn’t love colored pencils, paper, and some watercolor paints?
My littlest wanted to see what I got to take her. It was actually my kids’ idea to get her a present…they’re gifters, just like their mama.
When I showed him the bag, he pulled out the 8pk of watercolor paints and said “no mommy, you cannot take this.” I thought he was being selfish when he ran off with them.
But then he came back…carrying a his used 16pk watercolor paint box and said “mommy, take her mine because it has even more pretty colors.”
He’s 3 next week. And he gets it. I’m afraid that maybe sometimes, he gets it even better than I do.
You know what I’m nervous about? I’m nervous because once I go…once I see…once I live this journey….I can’t pretend it doesn’t exist anymore. Don’t I wish that I could say that I’m not nervous about how this one trip can change my worldview?!
I know it will. I’m counting on it. But the truth is, that once you really come face to face with the hard reality of life in most of the rest of the world, you HAVE to do something about it. You have to be different. And I’m excited about what that different will look like, but I’m nervous about it too.
We’re just so comfy, cozy here in America…and any other place I’ve ever been is pretty comfy, cozy too. I’m pretty sure that Bangladesh is about to make me abandon that ship called Comfy Cozy and change my life.
Follow along with me? Encourage me along the way as I follow the lead of my 3 year old and learn what it looks like to give away my favorite paints too.
Awesome. I am impressed by your 3 year old!!
This is beautiful, friend. Your 3 year old is beautiful. So excited to journey to Bangladesh and back with you.
Yeah Logan, our little kiddos can help us process and understand these things sometimes more often than we can as adults. Love this, and yet there’s still so much to see, hear, smell and experience and love. Let’s journey on my new friend!
Love this, Logan! How sweet! The trip will be amazing in so many ways!
I am very excited to follow you along this life changing journey you are about to embark on!
What a great story! Kids just know things, don’t they? After two trips to Kenya, Comfy Cozy looks a lot different to me than it used to … striking that balance in the first world is a definite paradigm shift. Will be praying for you all during your trip and am looking forward to seeing Bangladesh through your collective eyes.
I went to Bangladesh in 1997 and it was a life-transformative experience. SO hard, but it changed me forever.
Wishing you peace and safety as you go.
Love this…praying for you my friend!
praying for your trip! i love how our little ones teach us so much!
I love what your son did! I had to reread the one sentence you wrote a few times. “I’m nervous because once I go…once I see…once I live this journey….I can’t pretend it doesn’t exist anymore.” It’s so easy to pretend that another, far less comfortable world, doesn’t exist. We’ve become experts at turning our heads. Acknowledging that it does exist, is one thing, but when you are willing to go, see and let it change you is far beyond what most of us would allow. It’s going to be an awesome experience for you. I say, bring it on!
lovely post. and ouch. it sort of hurt. (but in a good way). safe travels.