**This post looks quite long- though I feel really strongly about it. Please, if you get the chance- make the time to read it. If it's easier, you can copy and paste it into word as the format for my blog makes it especially visually unappealing to read. If you copy and paste it, it is 1 & 1/4 pgs. Thank you**
From: How to Save a Lifeguard:
...I also decided to change it up this week. So often I talk about how thankful I am for things that are pretty vast, general, and I repeat them a lot (not saying this is a bad thing). This week, I wanted to be more specific. I think that when we get more specific about the things we are thankful for, it makes us.. well.. MORE thankful for them! Here goes..
I KNOW it seems like I am breaking my own pledge on making things more specific and this is no exception as Operation Smile is included in almost ALL my TTs, but please hear me out- this is actually what I am most thankful for this week.. month.. life.
My sister and her beautiful family (minus the brand new addition)
My two older sisters, Lina and Mica (l-r)
I can't begin to explain to you how deeply this conversation hit home to me. All my life I have never seen my sister any different than anyone else, other than she was far more amazing than anyone I had ever met. But- others do. Others.. complete strangers.. passersby... they look at my big sister and judge her so much that she is embarrassed and not as confident in who she is... Solely based on her birthmark. Something that about 4 in 1,000 people get. Not by choice- not by consequence- definitely not by accident- but by chance. Nothing my mother did, or she did- made this happen. It's just what God gave her for his reasons. It makes me so mad. I am not generally an angry or bitter person- but this is something that just infuriates me beyond comprehension. Why would people look again? Stare? Tease? Judge? Why would they do that to such an incredible person who has gone through so much in her life? If only they knew her or her story.
"Today, a bunch of us were talking about patients we saw yesterday and they were saying like oh yeah- he had the bilateral cleft, or she had the big burn on her face-- I found it kindof crazy that I didn't remember. The biggest thing that I remember yesterday about the kids were their eyes. I didn't really remember who had what deformity or what was wrong with them. I remember their enormous, infectious smiles and their happy spirit."
Another slight port-wine stain in Jordan
LONG story short-- I am so thankful that I have had my eyes opened wider than many others. The others who do not know the story and the people and the spirit behind what they see on the outside. I am so thankful that Operation Smile does what a simple application of makeup does for my sister. It removes the cleft or burn or other such deformity that takes away a sense of self to those individuals. It gives them higher self esteem and a new chance at life without having to be judged, labelled or ridiculed. It gives them a second chance. I asked my sister if she would receive surgery if she had the opportunity if it was free. She said it was tempting, but of course she said she would feel selfish not being able to care for her kids for the time she was out recovering. However, I know that if she had the choice, she wouldn't have had the mark in the first place. If she could have the mark magically disappear from her face, I know she would and it would change her life drastically.
How amazing is it though, what we did in Jordan and all over the world every week? It gives me joy and comfort to know that each of the 104 patients that received surgery this Spring are happier and more secure now because of something I was involved in. It is truly changing and transforming lives of not only the patients themselves, but their parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, children, friends and loved ones. It effects them too. Every single person who is a part of this cause has been a part of doing something that will forever impact someone's life. YOU have that opportunity every single day whether it is through something small, or significant- to be a part of that change. I have, You have, WE have the power to Be the Change. To me today, each one of those patients in Jordan is my sister. Each one has experienced pain and trial in their life due to something they had absolutely no control over. Each one has had difficulties, decisions, conflicts, many tearful days and wishes upon stars to rid themselves of their deformity. I am so thankful that I have more empathy for their frustrated families who know the real person inside each body who- like me, have the ability to see past. You too, can be that person.
How amazing is it though, what we did in Jordan and all over the world every week? It gives me joy and comfort to know that each of the 104 patients that received surgery this Spring are happier and more secure now because of something I was involved in. It is truly changing and transforming lives of not only the patients themselves, but their parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, children, friends and loved ones. It effects them too. Every single person who is a part of this cause has been a part of doing something that will forever impact someone's life. YOU have that opportunity every single day whether it is through something small, or significant- to be a part of that change. I have, You have, WE have the power to Be the Change. To me today, each one of those patients in Jordan is my sister. Each one has experienced pain and trial in their life due to something they had absolutely no control over. Each one has had difficulties, decisions, conflicts, many tearful days and wishes upon stars to rid themselves of their deformity. I am so thankful that I have more empathy for their frustrated families who know the real person inside each body who- like me, have the ability to see past. You too, can be that person.
Thank you for reading my simple post-turned novel.. This is something that has really touched me this week and I will never forget it.
Hope you have a wonderful, safe, fun and peaceful week as I trek to the wilderness.
Always remember to share your smile.
Love Always,
Lis
Ps: Thank you so much for your time. Please feel free to share this story and post about it through your own means.However, I just ask that there be a referring link back to this site: (BountifulToAmman.blogspot.com)
Ps: Thank you so much for your time. Please feel free to share this story and post about it through your own means.However, I just ask that there be a referring link back to this site: (BountifulToAmman.blogspot.com)
I love this one, Lis.
ReplyDeletewow.
ReplyDeletei wish i could say more about how beautiful this is. but i am speechless. wow. incredible*
Lisa, I'm so sorry for Mica's experience in the store. It's hard to believe that people are so terribly insensitive. I clicked and looked at the pic of her with her cute family and the pic without her makeup. What trials she has gone through to make others feel comfortable in her presence! She is beautiful with or without the makeup. Loved this post. Loved spending a little time with you last week!
ReplyDeleteSo Nice ..
ReplyDeleteWith All Best Wishes!!!