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May 19, 2005
This Is Why...
Many people have asked me what motivates and inspires me to do what I do. I wrote about it in one of my early blogs and because it’s buried way back there I thought I’d bring it out, dust it off, up-date it and re-write it as my answer:
It happened when I was in the army in South Africa. I was walking through a field hospital filled with kids from small rural villages who had been brought to a clinic for treatment from the army medical corps. The conditions were abysmal. There were almost six kids per bed, it was nauseatingly hot and there were flies everywhere, especially around the corners of the children’s eyes and mouths.
As I was walked down the center aisle I caught sight of a little boy who was about five years old sitting on the edge of one of the hospital beds. I looked into his huge brown eyes as I walked by and then noticed with shock that he had no legs. Instead I saw dirty bandages wrapped around two stumps. The boy had lost his legs in a landmine accident on the Angolan border.
As I walked by, the little boy put up his hands and said “Sir, can you please hold me.”
I will never forget the haunting look of sadness in his eyes. Huge tears rolled slowly down his cheeks and dropped to the floor, their significance lost in the dust and grime of war.
The Sergeant Major, who was walking alongside me, grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the child.
“Romain,” he grunted. “Leave him alone. Don’t get emotionally involved. We’re here for security, not child-care.”
As the Sergeant Major pulled me away the little boy, in a broken chocked-up whisper, spoke again. His voice tugged at me from behind.
“Sir, please, please can you just hold me?”
Something happened to me that moment that I will never forget. My life changed instantly. It felt like a hand came out of the sky, reached inside me, and flipped a switch that turned on my soul.
I pushed the Sergeant Major’s hand away, turned, walked back and picked up the little boy. I have never been held so tightly in my life. His trembling little body clung to me for all it was worth.
He put his head against my chest and he began to cry. His tears ran down my neck and inside my shirt. I held that little boy with my arms, my heart and my soul and every ounce of compassion in my being. I never wanted to let him go, ever.
I never have.
>From that second onwards I have dedicated my life to helping children. I have written over thirty books for kids, developed an animated self-help video series and given talks to thousands of children in many places in the United States and around the world.
Each and every time I feel overwhelmed, despondent or simply just want to give up, I hear the little boy’s voice echoing in my mind. “Sir, please, please can you just hold me?” When I hear that voice, and I remember holding the little boy’s trembling body, I am reminded that my mission in life is to reach out my hand to children who might need a little extra love and support as they deal with the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Posted by trevor at May 19, 2005 07:10 PM
Comments
You are an amazing person. I admire people with the strength to do what you do. It would break my heart and I'd want to bring every one of those hurting children home with me. I'm sure you do too, so I applaud you for being there for them every day!
Posted by: kim at May 19, 2005 07:53 PM
I share the feelings of Kim, with all my heart, once again, thank you for being there for them! And I hope that little boy has found love in his life...
Posted by: Z. at May 19, 2005 08:34 PM
Yes, I second Kim's words - you are amazing! This world needs more people like you. The children are blessed having you. Keep doing and writing with continuing strength and love!
Posted by: marja-leena at May 19, 2005 09:08 PM
Hi Trevor,
I found your blog and I think that I like it so much because I have the same mission. (I'm a teacher). You help inspire me to keep in touch with that ... thank you!
:)
Christina
Posted by: christina at May 19, 2005 11:13 PM
I'm so glad I discovered your blog. As the others said before me, you're an amazing person, and your stories are very touching.
Posted by: wynlen at May 20, 2005 04:11 AM
You are a beautiful soul.
Posted by: Deb at May 20, 2005 08:26 AM
"I am reminded that my mission in life is to reach out my hand to children who might need a little extra love and support as they deal with the challenges they face on a daily basis."
For me personally, these are empowering, inspiring words.
Trevor,
May you continue to touch all those you are surrounded by.
May you continue to be touched by those that come into your own life.
Most importantly,
May your Heart continue to be ever open to those 'hands that reach down from the sky and turn your Soul on'.
Please enjoy a most splendid day and magnificent day =)
Love from afar yet near in Heart, ~ Shannon
Posted by: Shannon at May 20, 2005 08:31 AM
Trevor you continue to be an inspiration for us all. May God Bless you as you have been such a blessing to others.
Posted by: Brian at May 20, 2005 09:13 AM
Trevor-
You are an amazing person. I am working on doing this same in my corner of the world through your inspiration. Even a small kindness to anyone uplifts us all :-)
Thanks so much for taking the time to post all these stories.
xoxoxoxoxo
Annde
Posted by: Annde at May 20, 2005 09:44 AM
Thanks for sharing this personal story again. What a blessing it was for you to encounter that little boy and learn from him how your future would be shaped. And what a blessing for those of us out here who find you such an inspiration that you were able to listen to your heart and follow your dreams. I'm smiling inside and out right now thanks to you.
Posted by: Nina at May 20, 2005 10:09 AM
Thank you for that story, Trevor. Your site is very inspiring. Wow.
Posted by: Alex at May 20, 2005 03:48 PM
again, i cannot say how inspiring and wonderful it is to read your stories. thank you.
Posted by: kristen at May 20, 2005 11:27 PM
Thank you for sharing and for making us remember the power of a hug. Sometimes it's not about money or aid or whatever...sometimes people just want to be held.
Posted by: kisane at May 21, 2005 12:32 AM
You bring hope and inspiration... do you know what happened to that little boy?
Posted by: TJ at May 21, 2005 04:39 AM
A lovely story. I'm so glad I was referred to your blog. I am inspired by you to do something nice for somebody -- maybe even today!!
_________________________________________________________________
You already did by sending me this comment - thanks to you and all the people who comment on my blog. It is so nice to get feedback. It really makes me want to keep doing this. - Trevor
Posted by: Ginnie at May 21, 2005 08:26 AM
what a heartwarming story! reminds me of my sister, who has dedicated her life to teaching special children. what fulfillment you guys must get for helping and caring for children, truly an inspiration to the rest of us.
Posted by: len at May 23, 2005 01:55 AM
Your story brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad you turned back. If only more sad children could be held and cared for - there are so many of them who aren't. Thank you for being a person who cares so deeply!
Posted by: Anja at May 23, 2005 02:45 PM