Monday, December 27, 2010

How Are the Children?

I think I have mentioned on here once before how much I love my job?  I am not able to go into detail about what I do, but a bare bones description is that I get to help improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers.  

Pretty awesome job, huh?   I really do love it.  

The only real downside is that semi-frequently I am required (mostly in-state) to go on overnight trips.   And really, aside from being away from my family that isn't so bad either.  I mean, really, where else am I going to go dancing on bars (sober), listen to a gay man critique his "gaydar",  watch 16 and Pregnant while crying my eyes out with other grown women, or hear unending stories about the fuzz...  And I don't mean the police.  

And, also these trips have other upsides.  I get to become more knowledgeable the subject I love best while hanging out with some of my favorite people.   It really isn't so bad.  

Through these many trips, there has been a tradition set forth that at our larger meetings are opened with the question of "How are the children?"  This is then followed by some story or recent study findings regarding the welfare of children in our state or country.  

This "how are the children" opening actually from a really cool tradition from the Masai tribe of Africa.   Apparently they were considered to be some of the most intelligent and fearsome warriors of the region.  Yet, surprisingly when fellow Masai warriors greeted one another they would say "Kasserian Ingera," meaning "How are the children?"  If the community was safe and free of danger than the fellow Masai would answer that the "Children are well." 

The Masai knew that the welfare of their community was dependent upon the well being of their children.   If the children were well, the all was well in their world.  

This is kinda how families are, aren't they?  The well being of a family is dependent upon the well being of their children.

This past week countless friends and family have been asking us in various ways, "Kasserian Ingera?"   I haven't had the time, clarity of thought, or strength to type out all that happened last week (though I will), I am grateful to now say that the children are well.