I
see it in the eyes of a child:
excitement, wonder, innocence, hope, and joy. On Christmas Eve as the children gather during
our Candlelight Service, I see the lights of our Chrismon Tree reflected in
their shining eyes that are brimming with wonder and expectation. The love, trust, and innocence are so real
that you can feel it.
This
week I will see the excitement and sheer joy sparkling in the eyes of children
as they walk through the front gate of the Davidson County Agricultural Fair. They will point to the Ferris Wheel and then
the Merry Go Round as the magical neon lights of the Midway are reflected in
their eyes that are wide open with bubbling enthusiasm. The children will be so excited they won’t
know where to start as moms and dads anxiously try to keep them in tow.
I
see wonder and happiness reflected in the eyes of my grandchildren as simple
things, such as enjoying ice cream or catching lightening bugs, become an amazing
revelation as if they are experiencing the world for the very first time. At nighttime they cuddle up and squeal with
delight with eyes all aglow as I promise them a bedtime story, a “One Day
Story” they call it, because I always begin with the words, “One day.” Then a little arm falls around my neck and I
hear the words “I love you G-Daddy” as sleepy eyes reflect perfect peace and
trust and all is right with their little world.
But
sadly for many children right here in Davidson County, all is not right with
their world and it too is reflected in their eyes. I see fear in the eyes of a child whose life
is full of turmoil, threats, and violence and who never hears the words, “I
love you.” I see despair in the eyes of
a child who is hungry and knows there is nothing in the house to eat. I see anger in the eyes of a child who has
every good thing taken away and distrust in the eyes of a child who has been
hurt and betrayed by adults. Nothing is
more painful than to look into the eyes of a child and see hurt, sadness, and
despair.
That
is precisely why members of the Lexington Kiwanis Club will take leave from
their “day jobs” this week and go to work at the fair. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, realtors, farmers,
pharmacists, administrators, bankers, dentists, policemen, funeral directors, educators,
and even a preacher will park cars, sell tickets, give directions, manage
crowds, and welcome everyone to the Davidson County Agricultural Fair. It will be a big and exciting week full of
good food, thrilling rides, farm animals, blue ribbons, beauty contests,
foot-stomping music, and just plain fun.
But all of that is secondary to the reason why the members of the
Kiwanis Club run the fair.
You
see, all of the money that is raised by your admission to the fair goes to operate
and maintain a summer camp, Kamp Kiwanis, where we welcome children whose eyes
are often full of hurt and fear. Each
summer around 180 children who are selected by the Department of Social
Services will spend a week at our camp where they will be loved, encouraged,
and affirmed. We provide good food, a
safe, nurturing environment, and a fun-filled week of camp activities. As the week progresses, we begin to see a
change, a change that is reflected in their eyes. Fear gives way to trust, suspicion to
acceptance, and anger gives way to love.
And at the end of the week, eyes that have finally reflected happiness
and joy are full of tears as the children don’t want to say good-bye.
I’m
one of those guys who will be working at the fair this week. There are many other things I could be doing,
but if I ever question why I am there, I simply remember what I have seen. Come and join us at the fair. It begins Monday afternoon and continues all
week through Saturday. You will have fun
but you will also be making a difference in the life of a child. I know you will because I have seen it in their
eyes.
