When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain
Siren's Song
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
Aug 5 2003, 1012h
Choice is one of our most cherished possessions � especially when we have the right to choose first. After I finally got down to reading the letters the kids from Hainan, China sent me this morning, something washed over me like a relaxing cool breeze. It�s not exactly happiness or joy, maybe just the feeling of being pleased with choice I made so many years ago. Come to think of it, it�s not really a choice at all. It�s just the plain act of giving away something that I like a lot to others who may make fuller use of it. It ought to be natural and coming from the heart, not tainted by ugly voices by the devil�s advocate inside me. After all, it�s just a rag doll.
Well, not just a rag doll. It�s a really cute rag doll that I always have hanging on my bag. Isn�t it human nature to wanna keep what�s yours, especially when time comes for it to change hands? It�s weird how some people rather throw away something than to give them away to others who may still make good use of it. It�s like, I never thought much of that rag doll, however cute it is, when it was just hanging on my bag. It�s only when I saw the girls looking at it with such obvious envy that I felt guilty for owning something so cute, yet so grossly out of place in a poor rural setting. My mental jury kicked up an awful fuss for a while, before coming up with the verdict � Don�t ask any questions and just take that toy off your bag and give it to them!
I�m glad my little rag doll�s with them now. They mentioned in their letters how they have loads of fun with it, and how strongly it reminds them of the time we spent with them. It�s amazing what kids can teach you by simply interacting with them. Village kids, that is. (City kids are so often loud and obnoxious! ) I feel so much more encouraged to give now. *Mona Lisa one-lined smile*
