Sometimes, our teens do something...and you can't help but inwardly applaud yourself, knowing you did something right.
My daughter's school took up a collection for Haiti. Their hope was to have each student bring in at least one dollar.
She gathered all her money--this is the daughter that's the fashionista girly-girl shopaholic--and took it to school. $65.00 that she'd been saving for some crazy boots.
Her words: I have a tub full of shoes. Those people are lucky to have a glass of water.
Later, when my other teen arose to begin her home schooling session, she brought me 30.00.
What's this for?
She blushed--she's very, very, very shy--and said she'd counted her money and found she was able to call and text 3 times, each text equating a 10.00 donation, to equal what she had on hand.
I've spoiled them because of the shit parents I had, I wanted them to have that mom that they'd grow up and have memories that made them laugh and laugh, not cringe.
But, it was at this moment that I was humbled by their selfless actions. It was nice to know that, regardless the material things they own, they didn't come to us for the money, but took what was their own earned cash, and simply handed it away.
It made them see their friends in a new light as well--some of the girls talking about how they weren't parting with their Starbucks money.
I had to do that quick therapy thing: They're just simply not where you are, but as they grow up, perhaps they'll get there.
What I really wanted to say was much uglier, but had to remember I would be talking about 13 & 15 year olds.
Both daughters said that if they were older, they'd whip out their passports and go there to help.
It's just profound to see how such a horror has pulled the world together, no matter the age.
