The One Turtle

There was a story about baby turtles' race to the sea, after hatching, while the sky was black with seagulls. A man began to fling the turtles into the sea, one by one, while thousands perished. His friend told him he couldn't make a difference, to which he replied: "It makes a difference to that one turtle that makes it." Similarly, no single person can wipe out poverty or all the world's ills, and people often tell me not to try. I always tell them, "It's about that one turtle."

A few days ago, I encountered the website/charity "Wish Upon a Hero." Through it, people in need can post their wishes, and anyone can help. Some of the wishes are small: "Our Christmas will be meager, but if people could send Christmas cards, maybe with some stickers, our children would be delighted." Some are wishes for small gifts or donations. The most heartbreaking, to me, are the ones where parents ask for warm winter clothes they cannot provide for their children. If you can spare the money for a card and a stamp, you can be a hero. If you can send old children's clothes, you can be a hero. If you can purchase a set of crayons or a toy from a parent's wishlist, you can be a hero. You can help within your means and make a difference.

There are hundreds of posts, and reading them can be disheartening—no matter how much you, or I, or all of us together, do, we can't help everyone. But it's not about that. It's about "that one turtle."

If you can, be a hero. Thank you.



LINK: Wish Upon a Hero