Building A Dream

If you missed Oprah's special on Monday night you missed a great one. I've watched it 3 times now & sobbed my way through each one. Whether you love Oprah or hate her (or are just indifferent) there's no denying that this is a great work. What amazing girls, so many, many trials and unimaginable hardships in their lives yet they are so positive and willing to work hard to make a better life for themselves, and more than anything OVERWHELMINGLY grateful for any kindness shown them. They were all beautiful, and simply radiant. I was particularly touched by Thando & Zodwa.

Watching them, you can't help but compare your own children - knowing that their parents or grandparents love them every bit as much as I love my own kids and are sacrificing to provide whatever they can for them. We work hard to provide opportunities for our kids - but our efforts don't even come close to the sacrifices they are making.

I wondered a lot about my own children - especially my daughter around these girls age - the opportunities afforded her, and difference in attitude towards learning and being willing to make the most of yourself, and be grateful. I have been thinking about this a lot over the past year, and this brought the same questions up in my mind. How do I instill that kind of attitude without making them miss meals, sleep on the dirt, or have no indoor plumbing? Is it possible to come from affluence, and still have a deep sense of gratitude and a good work ethic? How, as a parent, do you facilitate that?

Oprah's special will be repeated on Saturday night, if you want to catch it then (or I have it on my DVR, if you want to come over.)