An Inherently Good World

Day in and day out, the news bombards us with what can feel like irrefutable proof that we live in a violent, scary, wicked world. While these things are real and happen, the people who commit them are anomolies, not the norm. I don't watch the news. I haven't for over a decade, because I have always held tight to the fact that the vast majority of people are good, that there are more who help than cause harm, and that when we are invited into an opportunity to do so, most of us rise to the challenge and act with kindness.

If you have felt otherwise, I would like to offer you a small gift. I would like you to know that it has been approximately 48 hours since I put out a call for help for my daughter to a small group of close friends, and even less than that since those friends put out a call to the general public to raise funds for her treatment for anorexia. In that short time, an angel within the family of choice responded with help that was so needed and valuable in more ways than the financial (but why lie, the financial was mindblowingly helpful) that I started sobbing with relief on the spot. And then the donations, prayers, offers of resources, emotional support, and so much more started pouring in. More like a flood, actually. I am drowning in kindness and help. In less than two full days, enough money has been raised to reach 6% of our goal in covering treatment expenses. Let that sink in for a minute. That is huge.

I will not betray the confidences of those who have written to me privately, but please trust that what they have offered and said would blow you away. Know that although many of the people donating do know us personally, just as many do not know us well. Some don't know us or have any connection to us at all. There are so many notes, letters, and comments of love that I don't know how I will ever answer them all. What a beautiful problem to have.

Even if you can't donate a cent, I invite you to follow this link to Asia's fundraising page, and read the comments. If you have ever uttered the words, "What is this world coming to?" I would like to blanket you in the comfort that this is what this world is coming to...

A grown man weeping at his desk, holding my daughter in his thoughts, because his beloved wife has suffered from anorexia much of her life.

Brave, brave women sharing that they have struggled and recovered from an eating disorder, or their sister, their mother, their child.

People who specialize in eating disorders, or know someone who does, taking the time to reach out and offer whatever information and support they can give.

Children pooling their savings to save the life of a child they have never met.

People who give simply to give, not even revealing their name.

People who say, "I'm sorry it isn't much," when they have given my family everything.

The list goes on. And on. And on. It goes on and adds up to enough money to cover 3-4 days of treatment at one of the best residential treatment centers in the country. Collectively, you all are raising enough for about two days of treatment per day.

You don't live in a wicked world. You live in a world like this. Let that sink in for a minute. While I am in the process of receiving so much, this is what I can offer back for the time being. It is a small snapshot of our inherently good world.