If Children Ruled the World...

This is a story that my oldest just shared with me:

"Mac and I were up in my bed watching TV (probs pbs kids) and one of those "donate money to the kids in Africa" came on. So I started to change the channel, but Mac freaked out on me and said "No Shayna! I wanna watch it!" So I warned her that it was pretty sad... and flipped it back...As soon as the commercial was over, she side hit me... like w/ the back of her hand and I looked at her. She had THE BIGGEST EYES bulging out and she goes "CALL shayna!!!" like I was mentally insane for not picking up my cell asap. And so I explained to her that it was really expensive... and she goes... "Well... would they send that little boy to us?"


This really struck a chord with me. I'm proud of her for her strong desire to help others, but I don't think her reaction is all that unique. It seems that most children have an overwhelming sense of wanting to make the world a better place. When they see poverty and pain, they seem to have a basic need to fix it.

And I wonder, when do we become so cold and distant from the pain of other human beings?

If children ran the world, I bet there would be no hunger. Every one would have warm clothing. Every one would have a bed to sleep in and clean water to drink. And, I'd be willing to bet that every child would be guarenteed a loving parent or parents, with lots of hugs and laughter.

Oh yeah, and if Mackenzie ruled the world, every kid would get a chance to play basketball and stay up all night eating cookies!!