this moment

My heart is broken for all that is going on in the Philippines and I can not be there to help the Deaf kids figure it out. The emails I get everyday bring me to tears knowing that I must sit back and wait. Not a moment goes by that I am not thinking about them or wondering how they are doing. Often I am doing something and think to myself, those kids will never be able to experience this simple task that has become so easily a part of my everyday life.

Many of them are struggling to maintain respect amoung family members and teachers. They go to school pretty much year round. With all of the things I am involved in here in the states I get so worked up and attached to it all and then i am brought back to the humility of no knowing how they must REALLY be feeling. It isn't one of those, 'oh that must suck, i feel bad for them' things anymore. This is part of MY reality as well as theirs. And I am here... just working and doing my stupid internship. While they are struggling to be identified, not as a teenager going through puberty, but discoverd as an acutally human being who has all the intelligence to succeed as the next guy.

My goal is to help raise money for them to actually be able to rent out a building or room where they Deaf kids can all come together and hang out. They need to have a place of support where they can encourage eachother. That is not a possiblity for them to rent something on thier own.

um... i can't keep typing... i don't know how to explain my feelings and my thoughts are all jumbled.

wishing i was with them...

Toni