My mom was telling me about this story from the Olympic games, and I thought it was really profound, and thought provoking. There are so many little (or big) freedoms that we enjoy as Americans that all to often go unnoticed. So I thought I would share.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/ksl/blogs/blog=tksallaccessbeijing/postid=181744.html#go+your+kids
Go hug your kids By Tom Kirkland
Posted Thursday, August 7, 2008 9:47 AM ET
It was the last picture I took the night before one of the greatest events in China's history...
But this image and short conversation that followed is now forever a part of my Beijing Olympic (and life) experience.
The emotional tremor started simply enough...I asked this mother if I could take a picture of her cute little girl...since instantaneously I missed my wife and 3 amazing children. The mom and dad, fumbled about, proudly putting her on display, trying to help her to smile, maybe giggle a little to enhance the photograph. The pride and love for their daughter was more powerful than any Opening Ceremony could ever be...
Then, came the moment in time I will never forget...it brings tears to my eyes even now as I fumble to tell this amazing and profound tale. Trying to communicate and to relate as one loving parent to another, I said "...I have 3. back home in the U.S..." and then the mother looked down, a bit wistfully, and motioned..." we have 1".
It hit me like the Great Wall of China. Since 1979 1 child per family has been the law here.
How would our lives have been altered by not having the family we have now? I'm not questioning the law, that is not my place...I'm just saying...
Go hug your kids.
2 comments:
Oh--I like it. Thanks!
THanks for sharing that The liberties that we enjoy in this country are amazing, aren't they?
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