Smilestones 2013

Smilestones 2013

If you are a parent, you probably have fond memories of your
child's first smile. It was breathtaking. And as she/he grew those
smiles so often made you happy to be a mom or dad.
Can you imagine how you would feel if that precious child was
born with a cleft lip and palate and corrective surgery was a
seemingly impossible dream. He/she is scorned and bullied by people
who are horrified by this disfigurement. You fear that she/he will be
doomed to a life of poverty and ostracism.
Then imagine a miracle enters your child's life in the form of
free surgery. Your little one suddenly has a life of hope and
promise. I read a number of these amazing stories in Smilestones
2013, an elaborate album put together by SmileTrain, an organization
that lists its mission as "changing the world one smile at a time."
The pictures and stories of young (and some not so young) people
having their faces and lives transformed are totally heart warming.
Even if you can not locate this particular volume there is
something you can do. What are the things we too often take for
granted that other people lack? In other countries these can be a
seemingly commonplace as clean water, sanitation, vaccinations, and
primary education. Raising awareness and money can do a lot of good.
I plan to celebrate my birthday by raising money for girls' education in
Africa. Here in this country there is need too. In your community
are there children without access to meals when school is out or
isolated senior citizen? There are so many ways we can show gratitude
for our blessings by sharing them with those for whom they would be
amazing grace.
On a personal note, July 29 the hubby and I celebrated out 25th
wedding anniversary. I made his favorite meal and dessert. We
exchanged cards and gifts. I used the money he gave me to buy a
musical snow globe and have our names and those of our children
engraved on it. Now I think that's smile worthy.
A great big shout out goes out to the SmileTrain people doing amazing
work one smile at a time.
Julia Emily Hathaway


Sent from my iPod