For all the children around the world

With a smile on my face, I remember my childhood days when I used to play in the mud and come home all dirty, and the next day I would do it all over again. I was never a spoilt child or came from a wealthy family, and I remember how my parents tried their best to accommodate our needs and would at times forget their own needs because our needs were more important for them. Even though I did not have the fanciest clothes or the sweets shown in TV commercials, I was happier than many other children around.

Since I have the opportunity to travel now and I have been to places that you may not consider while planning your vacations, I see how unfortunate some children around the globe are.

Many years ago, I went to Perugia and prayed in a church, and I received a tiny prayer on my way out. At that time I didn’t get its meaning, but I always kept it with me and when I was down, I used to read it. Now with the opportunity I have, I fully understand the meaning of it and I wished that it wasn’t true, but unfortunately there will always be someone in the world that is less fortunate than you are.

I have seen so many children living in poverty and hunger, but that is not the most upsetting thing because they can bear the poverty and the hunger, but what they really long for is a warm hug, a nice touch, some attention and love. Nothing is more heart breaking than a child not letting go of your hug while calling you mother. Nothing is worse than the need of a parent in their life. I went to a few orphanages and it breaks my heart to have children hanging off of me and calling me “mother”. At the back of my mind, I know I cannot help all of them and I leave with a broken heart.

For many years, my parents took care of some children from an orphanage and loved them more than us, or at least that’s what we thought. But if you take time to observe such children and the way they value the family that was given to them and the happiness in their eyes when they sit around the table and say “we have a family dinner”, that is when you realize that nothing in the world is more precious than having a family of your own. Only someone who doesn’t have a family will appreciate one and will treasure it more than anything else in the world.

The world will be a better place if we all stop criticizing and blaming others and start helping each other starting with a smile, a hug or to offer unconditional love to the ones who need it, like the children, irrespective of their nationality. They are the future of tomorrow and holding their hands while they take their steps towards a bright future will surely make your own life brighter.