Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Same page

Last night, my husband and I were watching the Haiti coverage on CNN (again) feeling sad and helpless (again.) One reporter interviewed a couple from the US who lived there and ran one of the many orphanages near Port-au-Prince. Now, this couple looked like they belonged in Haiti just about as much as I do.

He: Cowboy hat, strong (strong!) Southern drawl. Some lawd-almighties were uttered and perhaps even a woo-doggy.

She: Same drawl, but higher in pitch. Platnium, cotton candy hair, brightly painted lips.

I opened my mouth and my husband looked at me, probably convinced I was going to say something snarky. Nine times out of ten, he'd be right. (Well, not so much about the Haiti coverage, but otherwise, yes.) But instead I said, "That's pretty cool. I wonder what their story is?"

He thought it was cool, too. In fact, my husband said he's always thought of doing something similar after he retired. Not necessarily an orphanage in Haiti, but something...I don't know...meaningful. "What am I going to do? Hang around the city all day and complain about the weather? Golf? I don't even like golf."

Strangely enough, I've been thinking about the same thing. I've wanted to do something Three-Cups-of-Tea-ish for a long time. Not now, mind you. Not while the kids are still in school. Later. And I don't know what, exactly. But I have some time to figure that out.

I've come close to bringing it up many times. It always sounded kind of flakey, (Hey honey, how about living in some godforsaken country in our golden years and doing, um, something?) so I never did.

It's great to know we are on the same page.

10 comments:

JLC said...

I know that right now, the basics are needed. Food, Water, Shelter.. but I also know that rebuilding the city into something better than it was is the long term priority. I've mentioned them on Twitter and FB, but, if you are interested. Look up Mercy Corps. They are helping with the necessities right now, but they are also an organization that helps with economic development. They also have a 'help wanted' section in case you are interested once the kids have grown. :) Great post!

WendyCinNYC said...

JLC--Thanks for the tip. We donated to Haiti, and then again after our 8-year-old put our paltry donation to shame with her allowance money donation.

WendyCinNYC said...

...but I'll look in to Mercy Corps. Sounds great.

Janna Leadbetter said...

I have to say I'm not surprised. Because your donating daughter got it from somewhere, and I believe you really will do something to make a difference. Even more than you do now.

colbymarshall said...

Very cool...and I definitely think it's awesome you guys are on the same page about wanting to get invovled. kudos!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I hope that everyone who works for a company that matches donations follows through and gets the matching funds. We donated to Red Cross...for immediate needs. I'll look up Mercy Corps, too. We plan on donating to an organization that will help rebuild Haiti. My hubby's company (Monsanto) will match our gifts to a certain amount, but will also match up to an extra $1,000 for this disaster.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Wendy, that must be such a great feeling to finally say out loud what you've been thinking for awhile, and have him completely agree (even though that's not exactly how it happened... you know what I mean). I see good things in your future. :)

WendyCinNYC said...

Janna--Thanks, I hope so.

Colby--I'm pretty happy he feels the same way, I have to say.

Sharon--Yes, planning for the future is important as well.

Melanie--It is! Totally.

Allie said...

That is really cool that you both feel the same way. I'd like to do something along those lines too someday. I do wonder what made that couple move to Haiti to start an orphanage. That would be an interesting story to read.

Kristi said...

What a cool moment for you as a couple! Always nice to know you're on the same page...even if you don't know what that page looks like!

Thanks for sharing!