Yours And Mine

This is  large planet and we are about to be tested to see how much we agree with that thought. We are going to share it with refugees who will be guests in our neighbourhoods very soon. These people had no choice but to leave everything they worked toward, loved and hoped for, and have come to us in desperation. It was not by choice. I imagine they will daily remember the good times they enjoyed once in their country of origin and will be sad and perhaps angry that such horrors could happen to them. They come here, not to take advantage of our opportunities and comforts; they have been sent here, but as such, are in this place to survive and try to piece back together their lives that were so rudely interrupted. What is our part as world citizens? What do we do when they become part of our neighbourhoods? Somewhat like adopting a child with problems not of their doing or choosing, but who need someone to care for and about them, the refugees are arriving from a torn place to a country that they have heard is kind and accepting. They loved their own land once as we do ours now. They are grateful that we offer them shelter but it will be enormously hard for them. Their language and customs, their environment and lifestyles were so different in many ways. They will need to find work and people who are friendly toward their newness. How strange and stressful it will be for them. We will meet these folks on the street and in the shops and schools and parks. Let us try and make them feel they are our fellows and neighbours. I think we have it in us to share and expand our generosity even though we have lots of other needy folks right here and we could spend hours complaining about these matters. We are bigger than we think and kinder and more "human" than we realize. Hopefully, we will bring out our positive thoughts and reach out to these people, fellows of this lovely blue planet, and prove that this country is truly The Best Country In The World.