It doesn't make me squirmy. I seek out the stories.I read Kisses from Katie utnil 3 in the morning last week. I followed links from her blog to other similar blogs. It was awful stuff - heartbreaking stories and pictures. But I saw what orphans live like. The fly in the eye line you wrote about above made me queasy because I will never forget the first time I saw (not in photos, but "for real") several babies with flies all over them - in their eyes, noses... I looked at my husband. I didn't know what to say. It really *is* like the stuff that is meant to tug at your heartstrings on Sally Struthers commercials. These aren't commercials, though - they are real people (not just orphans). I think it's hard b/c seeing extreme poverty, (true) orphans, children in need (including those who aren't orphans) -- all of that -- changes you. And you want others to care about it.

I wish you'd write about it just a little more. Not too much that it alienates those who don't want to hear it, of course, but enough that it makes an impression on those who can live outside of themselves. There really are a lot of people who can do that. Or at least I hope there are.

While the "hard" stuff might be what turns others away from your blog, it is the reason I keep coming back to your blog.

Wow. Amazing writing, painful memories.

Oh my God. I have chills and tears after reading that. I don't even know what to say. I'm so glad his aunt is in his life.

Perfection.

I love this! I haven't read two of the blogs you features, so I now have two more to enjoy. Thank you so much for sharing.

Amazing! I'm usually really glad I live in SoCal, but how much fun did you ladies have?! Good company, good food and good wine. The perfect trifecta!

Something always have to give in life, and it should never be your family. I had a few overwhelming months in October and November and I didn't read a single blog. It's how life goes and we should never feel guilty about it!

I voted cut, but I totally understand the dilemma. I didn't cut my son's hair for a year and we've had my daughter for 20 months and I still haven't cut her hair! My kids came home at eight and ten months old and they shave heads in orphanages...I like to pretend I was making up for that by not cutting their hair. My poor son had old man straggly hair by the time I caved. My daughter's still looks okay, but I know it's time. It's HARD, though1

Holy novel. Dude. I DO need wine. Sorry!
My recent post Two years

I'll admit I'm kind of conflicted. I couldn't agree more with what you said -- where's the matching donation? Where's the effort?

At the same time, I'm in favor of anything that bring attention and donations to a cause like this, one I consider very important.

I don't even follow any celebrities on Twitter and my day doesn't change regardless of whether Kim Kardashian is tweeting away, talking about her nail color or offending breastfeeding moms. But I would have typed out the stupid text and made the ten dollar donation if the cell phone bill were in my name. (Long story.) Because sometimes, all it takes is awareness and a reminder. And seriously, I was reminded of this all over my news home page and Facebook and Twitter, even though I don't follow celebrities on Twitter.

And while I completely agree with your point, I think someone else said something to the effect that the celebrities should have just donated themselves. Well, they *should* donate...ALSO. And more than me, because they can afford more. A lot more. But we should all support the causes that matter to us, if we can. Maybe for some people, causes aren't important but the damn tweets are. For them, I can say that at least maybe they'll do something, even if it's just ten bucks so they don't miss any Kardashian brilliance. But for others like me, this was just another way to remind us to do it.

(I should also note that without knowing how much any of the celebrities who participated donate *in general* or to what charities, it's hard for me to judge. OH MY GAWD. Did I just say it's hard for me to judge celebrities? For the love, that's one of my skills. I obviously need to go have a glass or three of wine.)
My recent post Two years