The New Adventures of Cool Christine: I will not take these things for granted...

Obviously I am here to volunteer and help the children of Peru, but this is also an adventure of self discovery. Today marks one month from the day I left and I have already learned so much about myself. A big lesson I have learned is not to take anything for granted. Such a cliche, so simple, but extremely difficult.

Watching these children overcome such extreme obstacles makes me take a look at my own life. I am so lucky! I have a wonderful family, I have always been healthy, I have enough food to eat, incredible friends and a roof over my head. After being here...I have realized that's all I really need. Some of these children are what the doctor calls a "ticking time bomb" and could die at any minute. Some rely on wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and prosthetic limbs. The children are lucky to receive a phone call once a month from their parents and are made fun of daily for their disabilities. Once discharged, (if ever) they return to broken homes without enough food and without enough love. Yet, these kids are the happiest kids I have ever met. They spin in their wheelchairs till no end, laugh until it hurts, help one another when someone falls, never forget a thank you, stop to smell the flowers (literally), learn to overcome their disabilities by being resourceful, plays cards for hours, cry when volunteers leave and love with an open heart. They don't take anything for granted...every day is truly a gift.

What a lesson for me to learn and reflect on. I have always been grateful for the wonderful life I have been given, but overcoming challenges and not taking simple things for granted is difficult. My time here at the Hogar has taught me so much and I know that the next 8 months will continue to reveal the true beauty of life. I think from this post on, I will dedicate it to one child...just to give you an insight to what I am feeling and experiencing. So, this post goes to John Pierre! :]

OMG. John Pierre is this little baby who has a cleft lip/cleft palate. He makes me so freaking happy. I don't even know how else to explain it. Yesterday, I was lifting him up above my head...and he drooled in my mouth! But, you know what?! I didn't even care. Yes, the germ-a-phob didn't care. I am about to run away with John Pierre, take some delicious homemade bread and leave all my possessions to my roommates. I am so excited because I really will be able to see him grow up over the next 8 months. Obsessed. Of course, pics of him are at the bottom of this post.

Seeing a child who needs cleft palate/cleft lip surgery makes you really evaluate your own life. The surgery costs only 1,000 soles here (which is about 300 dollars). I would give up any possession I own to help these children and babies have normal lives. I am starting to live simply, so others can simply live. Without the surgery, these children are at risk for numerous health issues not to mention social issues. Thinking about these children at the Home makes me want to break down and cry because they have put so much in perspective. I will no longer take anything for granted, especially my health. I am grateful to be healthy, happy, having a wonderful support system, being able to help the less fortunate and being on this planet we call earth. Living life to the fullest is the greatest feeling :]

-To Love, John Pierre, happiness, health and earth :]