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Inspiration
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Written by Dr. Susan Badaracco
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Monday, 14 December 2009 00:16 |
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I called my sister today in San Diego and interupted her as she worked with some church friends to put together gift bags to give out for those in need during this Christmas season. This was going to be an all day task during a season when we all wish for a little more time.
My office administrator, Diane, has been tutoring kids in her time off. Last winter she collected hats and gloves for children who were facing the cold weather without this protection. This year she is collecting food too. According to a recent report, 17 million children live in households without enough food. While I open up cupboard doors to look for what to make for dinner tonight, some child is going to go to bed later tonight, hungry. Diane is making a difference. .
Dr. Steve Smalley is a pediatrician in Flower Mound. I see him at the hospital either rounding on patients or attending meetings. He is always smiling and I have always thought of him as a really nice guy. Turns out, I was right. Dr Smalley has a boy in his practice with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome. There are a few times in medical school that I would learn about a diagnosis that would send chills into my heart. LNS is one of those syndromes that I find incomprehensible. Children afflicted with this will self-mutilate. They will bite their lips until they bleed, they will bite their fingers off. Incomprehensible. Dr Smalley wants to get a new wheelchair for Christian Fuchs so he is planning to run the 2010 Cowtown marathon and hoping that through sponsorship...www.runforchris.org...he will be able to raise enough money.
Santa is not the only one watching. Our kids are watching us. They notice when we do something kind for a neighbor and when we routinely donate our time or money. Families can make giving part of their family heritage. Children learn to give thanks for their blessings when confronted with those without.. I can think of no better legacy to pass on to my kids than compassion for others and a desire to help in my community and my world.
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