When things are occasionally trying in my daily life, I often find solace and inspiration in tales of others who have it much much more difficult than I. People who rise above monumental challenges to do more than I could ever imagine, to help others whose lives highlight that my small issues are just that...tiny. Ridiculous even.
Greg Mortenson is one of those people.
I read Three Cups of Tea last year, the tale of how Greg was rescued on the slopes of K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Helped by a Korphe villager in northern Pakistan, Greg was then moved by the plight of the children in the village who had no school or teacher (and very little else, as well). Although a nurse back home in the U.S. with little money, he committed to returning to Korphe and building them a school. And he did...
In fact, he and his organization have built over 125 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan since 1995.
Greg's story (he is lovingly referred to as Dr. Greg throughout Pakistan) continues in the recent sequel, Stones into Schools, Promoting Peace through Books not Bombs... I loved both books and passed Three Cups of Tea on to my parents. I bought the young reader's edition and Bryanna flew through it in a few days. The best thing though ...I bought Stones into Schools for my parents for Christmas and found at the same time that Greg was coming to Toronto to speak - his first Canadian visit. I snapped up some tickets for mom and dad and a friend to go. That event was on Wednesday and my parents were inspired and moved by this humble, amazing man.
His stories and slides and personal touch (he would walk right into the audience to speak to a child) were apparently phenomenal. Talking about his first friend in Korphe who set him on the path he now travels, moved him and the audience (especially my mother!) to tears. After speaking for an hour and a half, Greg then stayed to speak to people and asked for all the children in the audience to come see him first (since they had to get home to bed!).
My mom and dad had taken our books - including Bryanna's - hoping he might sign them. They waited for 2 hours in line (everyone was so patient wanting to see him....my mom had an amazing conversation with a man behind her in line who is from northern Pakistan where he says people regard Greg as a saint.)
When they reached Greg, he was wonderful, taking the time to chat and have his picture taken....My mom explained to him that the one book was for her grand-daughter who loved his story. As soon as he heard that, Greg immediately reached over and handed my mom another book and asked if he could give that to Bryanna to donate to her school library. For him, it is all about children helping children - the child focused side of his charity, pennies for peace, continues to raise thousands of dollars through school programs for schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He seems to have a special affinity for speaking to children on their level.
My parents were inspired. When Bryanna received her book yesterday with a message saying "Bryanna, Peace!" and his signature, plus a copy for her library, she was shocked and excited.
And when I thought about the depression I felt earlier in the week because the mess in my room seemed impossible to address, I laughed at myself.
How very, very fortunate we are.
