Just to let you know, I’m about to start singing…very loudly. Join with me if you know the song, and I know you do.

There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And its time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all…

Why am I singing? Well, because I love to and it brings me joy. But why am I singing this song right now? Because today, Lexi graduates from kindergarten. It’s a moment that happens all around the country and the world and probably matters very little to those who don’t have a kindergartener. But as excited as I am to watch Lexi walk across the stage and sing her songs, I am feeling more nostalgic about my own kindergarten graduation.

Because that graduation was a defining moment for me. I don’t recall the practices or what was said or even who was present. I remember one thing. We sang “We Are the World,” and I was forever changed. Yes, the song was catchy and was easy to sing, but after asking my teacher told me what the words meant, I was stunned. She told me that children all over the world were hungry and dying. Dying of hunger! It made my complaints about not having enough food seem petty and selfish. Who was I to whine about having shoes that were too small or having to eat the same thing everyday when other kids had so little?

My parents were…are…Vietnamese refugees and my older brothers and sisters do have vivid memories of living in a world where food was rationed. Where you sold your rationed food to stay alive. I just didn’t get it, and it wasn’t a concept I understood because I had not lived that lifestyle.
People ask me often what brought me to the social services field and why child welfare. And not to be cheesy, but…

There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And its time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all…

I used to think that I could only offer my “hands and feet”to those in need, but I know that I have more resources than the majority of the world and I can give it away and know without a doubt that my daughter will never go hungry. That’s right. Never. Even if we lost everything we had, I know for a fact that my village of family and friends wouldn’t let that happen.

So the key for us is to be the village for someone else in the world.

Pretty heavy for kindergarten graduation, huh? I bet my teacher never imagined the impact she would have by choosing that song 27 years ago. I wish I could thank her for that because it brought awareness to me about the needs of others very early in life.

What are some ways you and your children are connecting to the bigger world out there?