The Joy of Rescuing

As most of my friends know, I'm an inveterate rescuer... I'm a schlump for anyone or anything in need. When I was a kid, I drove my parents wacko by bringing home injured birds, lizards, cats, half-dead flowers, broken toys, battered books, etc. As a teenager and young adult, I marched and protested for or against every just cause or unjust social issue out there. I adopted houseplants my friends had all but killed and nursed them back to health; the same with sick fish from their aquariums. Later, my rescue efforts even extended to a couple of good-for-nothing-low-down-dirty-rotten-scumbag men, with the completely predictable, disastrous results. Fortunately, I gave up that vein quickly, but the desire to rescue still burns hot in my soul! I adopt damaged cats, rescue dying plants from supermarket nurseries, save spiders in the bath tub, and throw a few bucks at every animal rights cause that hits my mailbox.

Recently, World Vision found me and now, Goddess help me, I'm even rescuing kids. The number of kids in need of food, health care, clean water, clothes, shoes, love, attention, and other kinds of help, both in our own country and abroad, is staggering and heartbreaking beyond measure. Thanks to World Vision, I'm now making a difference in the lives of two children. Two out of approximately 236 gazillion kids in need ain't much, but it's a start.

AMY lives in Senegal, and is twelve years old.


REKHA lives in India, and is eight years old.


For a small monthly sponsorship fee (auto-deducted from my checking account so I don't even miss it), I, along with other sponsors, can help children with things like health care, education, clothing, better food and clean water, and, in the process, help their entire community become more self-sufficient. It's almost impossible to believe a mere $30 can go so far. I get the pleasure of writing to them and sending them silly little gifts like colored pencils, drawing paper, hair ribbons, balloons and stickers. They write back to me and keep me apprised of how they're doing in school and life in general. All of this I do from the comfort of my own way-too-comfortable lifestyle. Oy... it makes me feel like such a mentsh.

I can't recommend this happy, painless process enough, and urge everyone to adopt a kid and start gathering your own very rewarding warm fuzzies!