We were provided the opportunity to volunteer with some Ecuadorian children through Fundacion Arte Del Mundo. It was an amazing experience, the staff was great, the other volunteers were very welcoming…fantastic people. The children for me were a true blessing…our time helping included: playing all sorts of games with them such as duck duck goose, memory, Ninja, Magos y Enanos y Gigantes, arts and crafts, reading, self defense lessons, futbol, watching Beauty & The Beast, dancing, tumbling and most of all we laughed…we laughed all of the time.
There’s something about watching a child live out their life without insecurities. After volunteering with the kids I feel almost addicted to their mindset and care free attitude…it’s perfection. No insecurities and no straining over what other children are thinking about. As adults we’re addicted to worrying about what other adults are thinking about us when in fact they’re too busy worrying about what we’re thinking of them. These kids ARE pure elation and delight…no worries, just bliss. They laugh when it’s not appropriate and it’s adorable. They find true happiness in the simplest things…we were playing Pato, Pato, Ganso (Duck, Duck, Goose) and immediately after one was honored with the Ganso title the biggest shining smile stretched across their face accompanied by giggles and laughter…just from running and being chased, I know people who haven’t smiled like that for way too long.
Such innocence. It of course takes me back to when I was a child and my worries were insignificant…well looking back they were insignificant but they meant the world to me. Perspective is all relative of course. I don’t have children so how much could I know about being an adult and having responsibility over something so important??? Well I was forced to care for my wife Jessica throughout her battle and make some very difficult decisions regarding her care, she was the most essential part of my life. I feel that these last few years have given me an immense amount of life experience. A few months ago I would have said that caring for my true love throughout her battle for survival was the most difficult situation I have ever encountered…I would have also said that nothing places second. Now I would say that caring for Jessica is a distant second place. The absolute most challenging life situation I’ve ever encountered is now grieving over her loss…this is now so far ahead that I hope and pray it remains number 1 for the rest of my years.
I miss thinking like a child, living like a child and enjoying life like a sweet innocent child. So much joy, so much life…so much love.
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