A friend asked me the other day what I would do with all my money if I were super rich. After, of course, the trips and the shopping, the houses and cars. After aaaallll the regular “this is what I would buy” shit. After you own everything you have ever wanted, and seen every place you have ever wanted to see. Then what? What would occupy your time? This is, of course, assuming that you have an endless supply of money leftover.
Anyone who read my previous, pre-angry-deletion blog knows that I want to open a library in Cape Dorset. But, if I had this abundance of money, I would open libraries everywhere. I would go to small communities that are relatively developed, but are still lacking this ever important sanctuary, and plan them and open them. Yep. I would be involved in every part of it. The community relations, the building design, the hiring, all of it. In every corner of the world.
So this was no surprise to him, and he asked, what then? What then?? As if this wasn’t enough? I guess he had a point though, after the libraries have opened, they’re running smoothly, there are wonderful employees, and children and adults around the globe have been given the opportunity to escape into the magical world of words… they don’t need me anymore. The more I’ve thought about it since then, the more I would want to do.
By nature, I am a rather selfish person. I think most of us are. I mean sure, I’m as empathetic as the next woman, and I would give someone the shirt off my back if they needed it, but the causes I really put my heart and soul into are the ones that are personal.
The library thing? That’s totally personal. I love to read, it’s my passion. I think that everyone everywhere should have the opportunity to find this joy. If they have it, and choose not to utilize it, that’s one thing, but to not even have that chance? That hurts my heart.
So I got to thinking about my ‘what then’. Obviously, being the selfish bitch that I am, I ran through, in my head, all of the things that are important to me. What things do I believe every person, no matter their station or class or credit rating, should have?
A place without fear.
A haven; away from the terror of being hurt by the one that is supposed to protect you. Not just a bed in a shelter, but a place that a woman and their children can go to learn to feel human again. Wanted. Safe. Where they have the opportunity to learn skills so that they can become independent and make their lives better. Where they can learn that no matter what was said and done to them in the past, they can forgive, move on, and live their lives. Where they can be surrounded by other woman who are powerful, and confident and strong. Women who were just like them once.
A place where they can learn that there is such thing as love without pain.
So there, Dear Readers, you have just been given a very small peek inside me; into what makes me tick. Shhh, don’t tell.
Until we meet again….
"Seal-fie"
10 years ago
