Cool Zebras

Yesterday, the air held the distinct feel of autumn. The earthy scent tickled my nose as I sat on a park bench with two of my friends, chatting and scanning the handful of children to pick out the purple stocking hat and the tasseled Incredibles hat. D gurgled and cooed on my lap, bundled from toe to chin in hot pink fleece, topped with a white hat sporting a flowered marabou.

With the exception of D, we all wore our spring weight jackets still, although I insisted on sweatshirts beneath them.

Time passed quickly and soon it was time to load up and head home. As we passed the Y, we noted people getting cardboard boxes out of their cars.

What are they doing mommy?

And at once I remembered. It was the annual Cardboard Box City fundraiser.

True to form, my voice cracked and my eyes welled as I explained to my warm and healthy children about people who don’t have homes.

It looks like it’s going to rain though mommy. They’re all going to get wet.

Well, what do you think the people that don’t have homes do when it’s raining?

Get wet?

Pretty much.

I listened as my sweet 6-year-old made plans to sleep outside in the cold to help raise money for those who have nowhere warm to sleep. She wanted to participate last night. She was ready to go home and get any old cardboard box to sleep in.

I hope that she keeps that passion; that hope; that drive; that certainty that she can change the world in an instant. But as it was, she was still only six and her mom told her she’d have to wait for another year to change the world.