I met Greg Mortenson! I'm not sure who was more excited, me or Rashad (the boy who I am mentoring in this year's Six Stories Up performance). Here's how it happened. When I found out that Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea) would be in Rockford for International Peace Weekend, I got on the phone to see if we could get in to see him. Every event was sold out and booked up. Everybody kept saying "No." Then serendipity stepped in and I somehow found the man who was sponsoring Greg's visit, Jim Keeling. Jim immediately arranged for Rashad to meet Greg. That's important, because Rashad and I are writing a scene in the play in which Rashad is playing Greg's character.
Wow! It turned out to be one of those days when you smile so much that your cheek muscles hurt. Greg Mortenson is one of the most gracious, generous and kind hearted people that I have ever met. He not only took time to talk to us. He also introduced Rashad to the audience as "the other Greg," told us he'd try to come and see the play, and told Rashad a fascinating story about how when Greg was held hostage for eight days he overcame his fear of his captors by trying to make friends with them and eventually winning them over to the point that they freed him and contributed money to build more schools.
The other exciting part of the day, was the power of the penny. While the politicians in Washington and the investors on Wall Street were wringing their hands over our nation's money problems. Children from Rockford were collecting Pennies for Peace. They then presented Greg with a check for $53,800. That's enough money to build a school in Pakistan or Afghanistan and run it for three years!
"A penny in America buys nothing, but over there it buys one pencil," Greg told the audience.
By the way, that was a herculean effort on the part of the kids. That check represented 5 million 3 hundred and 80 thousand pennies!
I am so thankful for Greg Mortenson who overcame unbelievable odds to make sure that girls get the education they deserve. (If you haven't read his story yet, here's more.)
I am also grateful for those who dig deep into their pockets to give no matter what their financial worries may be.
They are the people who help me remember that in giving of that which is larger than ourselves, our personal worries disappear. Yes, I still worry a little about my job, my daughter's college tuition, and my retirement fund. But really, I'm having a whole lot more fun finding Pennies for Peace, and watching Rashad blossom in his role as Greg Mortenson.
To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children, to earn the approbation of honest critics; to appreciate beauty; to give of one's self, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--that is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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