Going To Bed Hungry As A Kid

This is a topic I have not written much about and partly because I think it is still at the core of issues I have yet to heal.  When you go through hunger, you learn in life that there is not enough in life.  Trying to undo these teachings you have learned is difficult at best.

As a kid, we were poor.  Maybe not quite dirt poor, but poor.  I have nothing else to compare it to, because it seemed normal and so framing it in any other way is almost impossible.  I saw other kids as having much more.

Because of my dad's inability to hold down a job or working at jobs that provided little income and stability, many times we just didn't have enough to eat.  I remember getting the government handouts of powdered milk, dried eggs, peanut butter and cheese.  There were many days I remember that this is all we had to eat and I got so tired of these things, that it took me a long time to like them again.

I remember going to bed hungry many times.  I remember having nothing more than popcorn to eat.  What we ate at the family supper table, wouldn't feed most people these days.  To have candy or cookies or soft drinks, that was considered a luxury.  My mom did the best with what she had, but there was just not enough.

However, somehow, my dad and one brother were always overweight.  My other brother and I were underweight most of my childhood.  How they got overweight, I'll never understand.  My only thought is that there must have been a stash of food hidden somewhere that I didn't know about and it was used as a reward/punishment mechanism for the horrible abuse that went on.  Somehow I missed out on that part of the abuse.

Going to school, we usually got free lunches or reduced lunches.  While other kids complained and threw their food away in the trash, it was sometimes the most we got to eat.  I didn't complain.  I was just happy to get something to eat and could never understand my friends who were picky eaters.

I see people treating school lunch programs as a divisive issue in this country.  To those kids that don't have enough to eat, that free school lunch they may get could most likely be all they eat in a day.  I don't see most of the people screaming about the school lunch program looking thin and having to go without meals.

It is easy to vilify those different than us and those that don't have as much, but for kids that have to go to bed hungry, it is a matter of life and death to them.  It isn't fun to have your little tummy begging for something to eat and there is nothing in the house.  It isn't easy to keep yourself going and grow normally when the food is scarce.  It is hard to concentrate and sleep.  It is hard to function.  It is hard to learn in school when you're so hungry.

One of the things I do now in my life is I help support Children International.  I love this organization because even in the worst of times, I know that there are children out there going to bed hungry.  They don't have enough to eat.  Sometimes they don't even have a regular bed to sleep on or shoes to wear. 

Because of what I have been through in my own life, I will not turn my back on those in need.  I wish I could help more than I do, but I'm trying to do all I can with the means that I have.  I get disgusted by those who have plenty act as if those who do not are some type of horrible humans.

I can only be reminded in this of the movie by Tom Shadyac called "I AM".  If you haven't seen it and if you think the poor in this world need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps - go watch this movie!

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Don Shetterly

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
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Growing Up Hungry

If you grow up with a stomach that is hungry, how will you ever come to understand that there is plenty.  For if the stomach does not have enough which is a basic component of human existence, then how can there be enough abundance in the world.

Hunger confuses the small mind and carries its power into adulthood.  Even when the adult has plenty to eat, the memory of the past says, "but it is not always certain there will be enough to eat."

We need to stop gorging ourselves and begin caring more about those that do not have enough to eat.  Not all of them are in another part of the world, but many are.  Some are in your own neighborhood, schools, and churches.  It doesn't take much to find them.

Thanksgiving is this month where instead of seeing how much we can stuff down our throats, why not try helping someone that maybe would enjoy just a regular and normal meal.

Children International is a place that I support.  Please check them out as I know they are legit and trustworthy.  If you have something in your local area, see what you can do to help them as well.  When we are down and out, sometimes a helping hand is what gives us hope!

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2016 by Don Shetterly

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
• You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  

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Children International Wins $50K From The Celebrity Apprentice

If you saw my blog post on March 13, 2012, (click this link), you'll see that Debbie Gibson won $50,000 for Children International on Celebrity Apprentice.  I'm so happy for the organization to win this money and I know it will greatly help them.  I cannot say enough good about Children International.  If you want to make a difference in the world in the life of one kid, check out their sponsorship. I have been with them since 1995 and I am not sponsoring my second child.

Anyway, here is an update to my previous blog post about the behind the scenes stuff on the Celebrity Apprentice, Debbie Gibson and Children International.  To read this update, click this link.

Debbie Gibson Wins $50,000 for Children International

Last night on the Apprentice, it was nice to see Debbie Gibson win. Yes, she won $50,000 for her charity which happens to be Children International. I have supported Children International for many years and I'm now on my second sponsored child. It is a wonderful organization that is truly legit and worthy. Check out the picture of my sponsored child below. His name is Erick and he is now 8 years old.

As far as the Apprentice goes, I really don't care much about it. The only reason I am following this show is because I knew she was playing to win money for Children International. Trump used to be someone I could look up to until he started in with his political tirades that I feel overstepped the boundaries of human decency. 

A Note From Erick

Remember how at one time we would get letters in the mail. It was something that everyone looked forward to. Of course, there was no email, cell phones or Facebook accounts at the time.

Today, I received a letter in the mail from my sponsored child, Erick of Children International. It warms my heart to read the few words that they write and that someone translates. The pictures he colors or draws just gives me a smile.

In this picture, he drew some beautifully colored mountains with clouds around them and a sun that had a lovely smiley face. The crayon drawing had images of people which I assume are his family and birds flying and it was in a gorgeous color of green.

The message was transalated as follows.

I want to tell you that I'm in good health also I tell you that I like to play soccer and I like to ride bike. I want to tell you that I am in second grade and my favorite subject is math and I learned sums and I want to tell you that I like an animal named procupine because I like its hair because it is like needles and I have seen them in the zoo and I hope you like this letter and I send love. Signed Erick

WOW!

It just warms my heart to read these little letters and know that even though I am able to help in a small way, it means a lot to these children and their families. I've been with Children International since 1995 and this is my second sponsored child. It is a wonderful organization that I've had the pleasure of getting to know and meeting some of the staff and other sponsors.

I just had to share this today as it brought a smile to my world and I hope it gives you a smile as well.

For More Information On Children International
http://www.children.org




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Blog Post & Images (c) 7/16/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
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Feeling Hungry Nobody Wants

I am an avid supporter of Children International. Starting back in 1991, I had lost everything in life from family, health, the place where I lived and my income. It was a time where I barely had enough to buy food for myself. However, I made a pledge that I would support one child each month and help give them maybe just a little better life.

So in 1995, I started sponsoring my first child at Children International. Jose was from Guatemala and I enjoyed the regular letters and colored pictures that I would get from him in addition to the photos of how he was growing. Of course when he got to 16 years old, I had to select a new child. Now I am sponsoring Erick.

There have been moments that I didn't think I could keep the sponsorship up and times when I've had to put it on hold but I try and do all that I can. From the letters I get, it does make a difference in their lives. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be part of a focus group several years ago and got acquainted with the organization.

While there are some that just prey on people through advertisements, Children International is a real organization that is truly helping people in the most efficient way possible.

As I was reading the magazine of stories about sponsorship that they put out, one article touched very close to home. "Feeling hungry is a feeling nobody wants; it is terrible." If you have ever grown up hungry, you know exactly what these words mean. I never had it as bad as these children do but I do remember going through times in my childhood where I was hungry and it was not fun.

The article (on page 6, Journeys, Winter 2011) goes on to state "Most children who attend this school do not eat anything before coming to school." Imagine how the mind is supposed to work if there is no food in the stomach. No wonder these children cannot make it in life.

Yes, I know there are some out there that could make all kinds of arguments (or what I call excuses) as to why these people are in the situation they are but until you've walked a mile in their shoes, your arguments are invalid. I apologize in advance if anyone does not want to hear that but in all honesty, it is true. We as a country waste billions of dollars on things such as political races, buying the latest and greatest electronics and throwing stuff away that some people in this world would find luxuries.

My hope is that we as a country will wake up, open our eyes and see what we can do to be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem. If we are not doing anything to help, than we are part of the problem. There are people all over the world and in our communities that are going hungry and need help. Let us not turn a blind eye to them.

To learn more about sponsorship through Children International, please check out my sponsor page or go to Children.org




Blog Post & Images (c) 1/9/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only

For The Heart

Since 1994, I've been a sponsor of Children International. I'm now sponsoring my second child and I feel very rewarded doing this. Every month or two, I get hand drawn/colored pictures and letters from my sponsored child. I try to write back to him as often as I can as well. I realize that maybe I didn't have the greatest time growing up but if I can just help one child somewhere, than maybe that helps make up for it. I'd love to go down and visit him in person but right now finances don't allow for that.

I can vouch for Children International because I've personally met other sponsors who do this and some that I've met, actually have traveled to see their sponsored child. A couple of years ago, I got the opportunity to meet and talk with a few of the individuals in Children International and I can attest to the fact that this is a good organization. If it wasn't, I would not be a sponsor as long as I have been.

One thing about Children International is that they try to do the best and the most with the money that you send. They work hard at getting the parents of the sponsored children involved so that their efforts are multiplied many times over. They try to teach and educate the parents of the sponsored children basic living techniques that will help give the child and the community a better way of life. And they do practical things for the child trying not to waste any of the money that has been donated. They really seem to have their priorities straight and they do make a difference.

It always warms my heart up so much when I get letters from my adopted child and see pictures of him as well as the little colorings and drawings that he sends me.

Here's my page about this organization and hopefully you can take a moment, check it out and see what your heart says. You'll see a picture of Erick, my sponsored child, on the page as well. http://www.liftoneproject.org/goto/donshetterly