A couple of weeks ago, after discussing the Syrian Refugee crisis with my 8 year old daughter, Harper, she told me she wanted to do something to help. After researching the Internet she decided to collect baby carriers and donate them to carrythefuture.org, a non for profit that fits mothers coming off of boats in Greece with a carrier so they can travel to safety a little easier. After making flyers and handing them out at school, her efforts got picked up in the local news and before she knew it she was being contacted by total strangers who wanted to donate. She has spent the last few days writing letters of encouragement and stuffing them in the pockets of the carriers along with pacifiers and protein bars.

It is easy for a big and complicated situation like refugees and war to seem overwhelming, but her urge to help comes from such an innocent and sweet place that the act of helping becomes so simple. I love her pure sense of morality that hasn't been complicated by age. She is happy with the influx of donations, but a little bewildered how people keep telling her that she's doing such a great job because in her words, "why wouldn't everyone want to help? People need help, so you help them."

I wanted to honor her efforts with this quote from Gandhi as a Christmas gift. I hope she never loses her enthusiasm and drive to help others, and that she always remembers that she's not just a US citizen, but a world citizen.

This 11x14 drawing was made on Strathmore Toned Tan 400 Series Paper, with Koi Watercolor Brush Pens, Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Acrylic paint, Micron Pens, and Gelly Roll Gel Pens.