Dear Friends,

Too many children are growing up around the world without parents.  And that is not okay.   Kids who have lost their parents experience severe trauma.  And without consistent nurturing by the same, caring adult, they do not develop as they should.  This results in developmental delays, emotional challenges and learning problems.  Without the intervention of a parent, they do not do well – they end up not finishing school, becoming teen parents, being trafficked, committing crimes and spending time living in prison and on the streets.  With the help of a family orphans and foster youth can succeed – and live productive lives.

Supporting Kidsave as we move into the New Year – or as you finish your charitable giving for 2010 – can make a dramatic difference in a child’s life.  Make this the year you host or financially sponsor a child – or become an advocate.

·        Please help us connect families to children in need.  Learn more about hosting or sign up online at  http://www.kidsave.org/host.shtml

·        Hosting and adopting isn’t for everyone.  So if you can’t give time please make a gift to Kidsave and make a difference in the life of a child.  A simple gift of $25 per month will make a big difference in Kidsave’s ability to keep working for these children.  Please give as you can at:  https://www.kidsaveinternational.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=379

We are grateful for all you have done to help us and hope you will think about how you can best help children find families – or help advocate for change in how orphaned children are cared for – in 2011.  Please let Randi (Randi@kidsave.org) or me know (terry@kidsave.org) how you’d like to get involved.

Wishing you all the happiest and healthiest of New Years – and again, thank you for your support.

Terry Baugh

Terry Baugh
President
Kidsave
www.kidsave.org

5185 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Suite 108
Washington, DC 20016
Direct: 202 280 6327
Main: 202 237 7328
Cell: 202 352 5437
FAX: 202 237 7080
…Finding families for children the world has forgotten

One thing I find hard to watch/look at is food personified.  Why is that ok?  Who finds it appealing? Ah well, eat up!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

During a major blackout – over 500 homes in my vicinity lost power at dusk and the DWP had no idea why and could only estimate that the power would (hopefully) be back on around 4 in the morning – I realized one thing:  I watch waaaaaaay too many crime dramas.  Yes, the standard season of Criminal Minds and CSI is over, but all the new “summer” shows have stared – I particularly enjoyed The Glades and Rizolli and Isles.  My goal, however, is to throw in some fun and fluff to counterbalance it all.  Do you have any idea how many people have been murdered on those shows during rolling blackouts?  Well, too many to even begin the conversation.  So, do you have any shows to recommend a la Modern Family – my favorite non-crime show on the air?

The other day I was listening to a friend complain about her life.  “Why me?” she kept saying.  Over and over and over.  In regards to her career, “I get so close and then it falls apart.”  In regards to her kids, “Why couldn’t I have the easy kids?”   In regards to her husband and friends and finances and car and on and on, “Why me!?!”

After listening and recognizing much of my own life in her rant, I had a moment of truth, “Why not you?”  The silence was deafening.  I was quiet because I was reflecting on my own life and why shouldn’t my life be the way it is?  She was quiet, I believe, because she was trying hard not to bite my head off.  I can hear her now with someone new, “I was talking to a friend who was sooo unsupportive.  Why me?”

What she may never realize is that I was being truly supportive, opening up a conversation that she may not be able to have with anyone else.  A two-way conversation about the reality of today.  Her reality.  My reality.  Why not you?  Why not me?

This question also pertains to all the good in life.  Like the random day last week when I came home from my early morning trail run and my son had made me chocolate dipped strawberries, a bowl of Cheerios, and my favorite tea.   All because he thinks I am the best mom in the world.  Why not me?

When life does not seem to be going your way, perhaps it’s best to change your perspective as opposed to your direction.

What is behind your fridge?  Evidently, behind mine is a patchwork wall still sporting wall paper from the 1960s.

Why didn’t the manufacturers of standard interior doors co-ordinate with the manufacturers of refrigerators so that we consumers would not have to remove doors and handles from both to bring new appliances into and our of our homes?

Seriously, why would a new fridge have a standard (read – thick that sticks out) 3-prong plug, while a 15-year old fridge has a flush-mount (read – lays flat against the wall) plug?

Why, oh why, does each new appliance need an adaptor to fit the piping/plumbing of the old one?  Haven’t they seen how many adaptors come with iPod players? It’s inspirational.

My new fridge is sitting empty, unplugged in my kitchen while my frozen food sits in a cooler.  Why?  Because if you have to tip the refigerator to get it into your house (uh, see the door issue above), then it must stand upright, unplugged for 6 to 8 hours to allow the Freon to settle, or so I am told.  Soggy pizza, anyone?  Oh, and if you get thirsty, I don’t have filtered water, so BYO.

Is it really the best policy?