Super Bowl vs. Super Trip

   As a society, our values are largely out-of-whack (if you’ll pardon that informal vernacular).  The Sunday Los Angeles Times came to my front door and on the cover of the “Parade” Magazine section I saw the impassioned faces of three zealous football fans.  Granted, Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday.  But, there is more going on in the world than men running up and down a field in tight pants, kicking and throwing a football.

   For buried on page twelve, was an article about a single father, taking his two sons on an around-the-world trip.  The story speaks of a son coming home from school, asking his father why their family wasn’t doing more to help others.  And so, this family is spending twelve months, traveling to twelve different countries on six different continents, to help others.  (Check out their blog at twelveintwelve.org)

     I read that article and thought, “Incredible.”  What an adventure.  What a learning experience.  What selflessness.  What open, giving hearts this family shares.  And yet, the story didn’t even get a mention on the front cover.

   The Super Bowl was over in a few hours.  And I get it, it’s a money-maker.  A family on a humanitarian trip isn’t.  But what’s more important?  What lessons should we be sharing with our children?  

   Sometimes, I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle, destined to follow in the footsteps of the Greek God Sisyphus, never accomplishing the task at hand, and always having to begin again.  

           And then, I’m re-affirmed.  I read an article, such as this one about the Lewis Family, and know I’m doing the right thing.  I’m teaching, and doing what my heart believes to be right.  And that’s all anyone can really do.