The Story of the Starfish

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a young boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?" and the young boy replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going back out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die.""Now listen to me," said the man, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"

After listening to what the man said, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the ocean. Then smiling at the man, the boy said, "I just made a difference to that one."
Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in situations where we have to make a choice; do we walk away and do nothing, or do we stay and do our small part? Last week, Hector was asked to make such a decision. In Cub Scouts there are small groups of 8 - 10 boys, which make up a den. And then all of those smaller dens in the area come together once a month for a meeting, and they form a larger pack. Hector was asked if he would be Den Leader for Samuel's Cub Scout Den. It seems that the previous leader wasn't doing that good of a job, and the Pack Leader (who's in charge of all of the smaller dens) noticed how involved Hector is, and how "on top of things" he seems to be at the meetings. And even though Hector really did not want to take over, because it's a big, time-consuming responsibility, he did!

A few entries back on here, I mentioned just 2 of the many things I am thankful for this year. And now, I would like to add a few more things to my list. I am thankful for Hector, who is not only the best husband a woman could ask for, but who is a great father as well... a father who is making a difference in the lives of our 3 "starfish"; a father who hugs his kids and tells them he's proud of them and that he loves them; a father who sings Away In a Manger every night to Avery and who puts on the Elmo DVD for Isaac instead of watching the football game; a father who knows how to change poopy diapers and make bottles; a father who cleans up vomit out of a tent at 2:00 a.m. while on a camping retreat with his son, and then laughs about it when he's telling the story later; a father who comes home every night and eats dinner with his family; a father who sets a good example; a father who provides for his family; a father who tells his daughter that she is beautiful and smart; a father who tells his oldest son that he can do anything if he just puts his mind to it; a father who knows how to make his kids laugh; a father who listens to his children; a father who talks to his children; a father who takes his kids to the store and does the grocery shopping so that Mommy can have a little break; a father who is willing to serve as Den Leader for his son's Cub Scouts; and a father who is willing to put forth the time and energy to make a difference in the lives of all 3 of our "starfish."

I am thankful that he is willing to do things like this for Samuel and the other boys in his den:
Isn't he just the best trash bag and construction paper turkey you've ever seen? And while I'm at it, I am thankful for that wonderful turkey up there, who I am proud to call my husband. I am thankful for the 14 years we've been married. And I am also thankful for our 3 children who are really good kids, and who still enjoy doing things like playing in the Autumn leaves.

For all of these things, and for so much more, I am truly thankful.