One Child At A Time

by Michele Boy | July 14, 2022

Last week I mentioned how sometimes life can throw us good surprises.  Well last week I had an opportunity to volunteer with poultry testing in our county. The veterinarian showed up and I mentioned how much my daughter wants to become a vet. And could she watch her work. 
Wow, this specialist took time to explain what she does, to give her a hands on opportunity to learn and grow and ask questions. When we left for the day, my daughter was beaming. 
The next day we headed to a “How to be a vet” clinic a few counties away. Another wonderful experience and when they mentioned testing chickens, my daughter sat taller and smiled huge and got a chance to talk about her experience. 
Flashback to a year or more when we took one of our dogs to a veterinarian. When I mentioned her interest in doing what they do, He smiled and told her to just wait here.  She was disappointed.
But it made last week’s experience so much more rewarding. 
Our children are intelligent, curious, and are drinking in the world around them. Are we doing our part to help them get a sense of joy and excitement about their future? 
The world can be scary. I saw where there a shooting at a little league game the other day. 
I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t have a crystal ball and not sure I would want one. 
  But I have today. I have an opportunity to show and teach a young eager willing youth.  When I opened up my office to an intern from the high school, I was nervous. Would they enjoy this? Would it be a rewarding experience?
I was so happy at the end of the school year to learn she wanted to return. She smiled often at the office and enjoyed the experience. I made a difference.  
You can too. 
Maybe the next child that comes by and asks how to do something or what you do, maybe we can stop for a moment and truly express with joy what possibilities there are!
Instead of focusing on where kids today have it rougher or struggle more, maybe we can all build a stronger group of youth one child at a time.  
 The fair begins tomorrow. Maybe support the youth who worked hard all summer by adding on some money to their sales at the auction. Or come by and look at their hard work on display.
 As our school year begins in just a few weeks, perhaps consider what you could offer to a child.
Wouldn’t it be incredible to know you made a difference in a child’s life?
Teachers and paras get paid  nothing compared to celebrities or sports figures. 
Yet they impact our children in so many ways and spend so much time with them.
John F Kennedy said, “Children are our most valuable resource and it’s best hope for our future.”
What could you do? Could you offer a child a safe home? A scholarship? Help with classroom needs or wants? 
I want the world to be a magical place for children. And I am smart enough to know it can be a wicked horrible awful place where children are trafficked or abused. 
Maybe that makes us beacons of light in this world. 
The children’s nursery rhyme speaks to me. “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine.”