The Day They Went Without

     I brushed through my wet hair and my brush got snagged in the tangles. I brushed in small strokes until the tangles loosened and drops of warm water dripped on my neck. I walked to my closet and looked at the variety of shirts that I had to choose from. There was a new sheer purple one with huge white polka dots. I pulled it out and held it against my chest. I had paid $22.00 for it and the tags still hanged from its sleeve untouched; the shirt had been abandoned; waiting for the day I got the urge to wear it. I looked over at a blue sweater and pulled at the tag. It had cost $20.00. It was untouched, unworn, and had been living in the closet since the day it was bought. I pulled the tag off of the sweater and pulled it over my head.  The excitement of it being brand-new had worn off as soon as it was put on a hanger months ago and the closet door was closed.

     I walked downstairs and opened the pantry door. There were three varieties of cereal to choose from, two kinds of oatmeal, and the ever abundant variety of granola bars. I reached for a granola bar and had eaten it by the time I poured my orange juice (which was one of three kinds of juice chilling in our refrigerator). I reached for an apple and took two bites before getting bored of the taste and throwing the rest of it away. I let the water gush down freely into the sink as I mixed iced tea to put in the refrigerator. I ignored my mom’s phone call because I was “too busy” and let it go to voicemail. I could always call her later.

    I sat lazily on my couch and browsed on Facebook for far too long—peeking in on other people’s lives and neglecting to live my own. Minutes turned into an hour quickly and I decided to put my shoes on and go outside with my dog. I opened the closet to many pairs of shoes while wishing that I would have bought the pair that I had seen in the store the night before.

     On the same day, in the same world in which you and I live, there were different scenarios playing out.

Hair was wet and tangled from the harsh conditions of child labor and poor hygenic conditions, not from a fresh hot shower.

The only shirt she owned was ripped from her body as she was thrown into her first night of being trafficked and of being a slave.

$42.00 was used to feed orphans for a month, not used to buy two shirts that would hardly be worn.

Pantries were opened, but were empty.  Today was another day of empty stomachs and vulnerability to illness.

Water was carried for miles and cherished as if it were gold, not wastefully draining down a sink.

Children became orphans and would never hear their mothers call their names again. They would have given anything to hear her say their name.

Feet developed more blisters because shoes were something that would never be afforded.

So, what are we to do? I realize that the events I mentioned will happen regardless of if we help or not. So, what's the point? Well, the difference is dying having never tried to help.