[blockquote source=”Edward Everett Hale”]”I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”[/blockquote]
My goodness, it’s been a powerful week.

As I sit here, listening to the news, I can not help but to think of those whose hearts are suffering most of all.

I close my eyes, and think of young Alex and his brother, Jotham – who were discovered, near starvation, living in the most unspeakable of conditions.

I think of the mother, arrested for the “crime” of stealing food for her children. Since when did feeding a child become a jail-able offense?

I think of the unrest in cities all around this great world. More specifically – I think of those struggling to make sense of a level of violence threatening the very heart of humanity.

I think of homes shattered by the atrocities of war. I think of little ones whose ears have grown accustomed to the sounds of gunfire and explosion.

I think of the half million refugees “displaced” in Central Africa. And, the 1.2 million forced to flee their homes in war-torn Iraq.

And, each night – before I sleep – my darlings, I think of you.

You see, my heart literally aches for every, single one of these beings. Yet, even in the midst of despair I think: there is still great love in this world.

For Alex and Jotham, there is humanitarian Jim Nduruchi who has selfishly given, each day, of himself – and, in order to reinforce the foundation of this struggling family. And, for the young mother desperate to feed her own children, there is officer Vicki Thomas who bought for her a month’s worth of groceries.

But, most striking to me was the image of a grief-stricken young boy, carrying a sign which read simply, “Free Hugs.”

“12-year-old Devonte Hart, who is one of six children adopted by Sarah and Jennifer Hart, attended the protest with his family, armed with posters reading “Free Hugs” and “You Matter” in hopes of spreading good will. Being so aware of the world around you that you want to attend a political protest at the age of 12 in and of itself is pretty amazing, and is just another example of how this generation is doing so much more besides playing around on Instagram.”

For Devonte, he himself is living proof – that every, single one of us can do something.

So, I ask you today, my dearest darlings: What is that ‘one special something’ you can share with this world?

For me? I’ll be dropping winter coats and boots off to our local shelter. As well as, old blankets to an animal care facility.