The first definition of "faith" in the Oxford American Dictionary is "complete trust or confidence in someone or something." This, I believe, is the definition people are referring to when they speak of their "faith in humanity." Having faith in one's fellow human beings is something that bonds large groups of people together and separates others.
Enough with the lecture.
I don't know how this works for other people, but I occasionally need reminding that the world isn't all bad; that not all people are stupid cynics with a vendetta against joy; that there is still beauty and innocence left; and that that innocence and beauty still has the opportunity to flourish, overcoming the negative.
Recently my faith in humanity was renewed. As I've mentioned in previous posts (however long ago those occurred...), children are my weakness. They are the purity and beauty that can bring me out of any state of depression. They are wonderful.
I haven't seen my family in nearly six months and I have missed my siblings dearly. My older little sister is now 17(!) and is a rising senior in high school. That's nuts. I have no idea where the in-between time went. She's been having a rough time because the family currently lives somewhere where there aren't very many kids, particularly in her age group. But she's grown so much in maturity and independence! She has a job and she's doing an internship later this summer. I'm so proud of her and I'm really glad to see her.
My younger little sister is now 9. She has all the attitude in the world and a crazy drive and motivation. She has clearly inherited the Wanger competitiveness and my dad's outdoorsy-naturey side. I foresee sports in her future....
And last but not least, the only one who can bring a smile to my face at 8:00 AM, my little brother. He is four and a half and he is the most adorable kid I know. The last time I saw him, he was still having issues forming coherent sentences. Now he's telling me what he thinks and asking me to do things. It's chilling, really... such drastic changes occur in that in-between time from winter to summer.
My little brother is the impetus for this post. The other day, the family and I went to ride the Mountain Coaster in McHenry, MD, where we are vacationing this summer. We arrive and get in line to buy tickets. Little bro being the ray of sunshine he is, immediately hopped up by the counter to ask the woman at the register what her name was and how she was doing. "What are you working on?" he asks. Everyone smiled as the woman and he had a conversation about her job.
Then we had to fill out liability waivers, which he obviously did not need to be involved in. So while the big kids filled out paperwork, Little bro ran up to a few random strangers and started talking to them about their day. I chased him down and headed outside towards the coaster. I'm riding with him because little ones need partners. I can tell he's somewhat frightened as we head up the side of the mountain, but as soon as we head down he starts screaming with excitement.
And now for the real reason he renewed my faith in humanity (sorry if the build-up doesn't match the climax): while we waited for the rest of the family to finish their rides, Little bro and I went to the playground nearby. The first thing he does is walk up to a woman who looked like she had been having a rough day and just wanted to go home. He says, "Hi! What's your name?" She responds quickly. After a moment he says to her, "be happy! ... smile!" And she does. Not that making me cry is difficult, but it nearly brought a tear to my eye. Fortunately, crying in public is not a possibility.
After a few moments of play, he sees a little boy a year or so younger than he. After walking carefully across the wobbly bridge, he tells the little boy to be careful and that it was his turn. He then watches to see if the boy makes it across safely.
GAH. I love him. I love kids. They make me love the world a little more.
Note to self: when married and financially secure, adopt a child every 3 or 4 years. Save a life, provide a home, bring joy to the world.
