Toothpaste ... Check!

I love travelling as much as I hate packing. Before a trip, I usually stare at my empty luggage hoping that it would suggest to me what I should put inside. Unfortunately, that never happens. The luggage never talks to me and lays open on the floor like a voracious mouth ready to be fed. I have no choice other than going through tedious check lists … toothpaste … check!

In a few days, I will be staring at my empty luggage again as I will be travelling to Ethiopia and India with my colleague Luciana to produce a video on our programs. We will be on 6 planes for more than 43 hours and will cover more than 21,000 miles in the air. We will also be spending at least 24 hours in the car on curvy or bumpy roads in rural Ethiopia and tribal India.

It seems like my luggage will be fully packed this time … or maybe not.

When I visit our children, there is always a question I ask myself. Why are they so happy? They have nothing. If they are lucky, they may wear ripped t-shirts or broken shoes. They may not have water to take a shower once a week. They don’t use a toothbrush or toothpaste simply because they can’t afford it. Yet, they are the happiest people on earth. Their happiness is so contagious that when I leave I miss them so much. In contrast, we have everything, yet anxiety and fear hinder our pursuit of happiness. Why?

Detachment. Our children are detached from material things and enjoy the essential things in life … laughing, playing together, enjoying the nature around them, caring for each other, and being grateful for the gifts they are receiving from you through A Chance In Life.

I feel so honored that you and A Chance In Life can make such a tremendous difference in the lives of these very special people. They deserve it. They are so happy about it and they know how to be grateful for the simplest gifts of life.

Back to my luggage … what if this time I learn from our children and bring with me only what’s really important? That would be your love for them and your smile. Nothing else.

Gabriele Delmonaco
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P.S. I feel really sorry for Luciana who will be travelling with me … I guess I’ll bring the toothpaste and a couple of t-shirts too. To follow our travels to Ethiopia and India, like us on Facebook!