In 2004, years before the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, I wrote a column on the subject of Affluenza. Affluenza is simply defined as the sickness of having too much – of acquiring possessions as an end in itself without the ability and time to enjoy, experience and appreciate each and every one.
Affluenza causes an over inflated sense of entitlement, a de-sensitizing to small material pleasures, a diminished perception of gratitude, a mistaken notion that the bearer will always be similarly “afflicted,” and an inability to be sated.
Paradoxically, the more we acquire, the emptier we feel.
I had no grandchildren back then. Now I am blessed with three grandsons and three granddaughters and one more little one on the way. I admit, I do worry – like we all do – about their safety, their futures and the world they will be inheriting as adults. My oldest grandson told me school shooter drills are common place at his school. Students practice how to react if a gun-wielding intruder breaks-in – no matter where they are at their school: the classroom, the playground, the lunchroom, the hall, the restroom.
On the other hand, my grandchildren all have loving, involved parents, stable homes and a lifestyle free from worry over where their next meal is coming from and if they will have a roof over their heads next month. For this I am thankful. And worried too.
I worry at times that perhaps they don’t quite understand that not everyone in the world, in our country, in our cities and in our immediate neighborhood are quite so fortunate. I needn’t have worried so much.
My oldest granddaughter is having her Bat Mitzvah in January. A Bat Mitzvah is a Jewish coming-of-age ritual celebrated after a girl’s 12th or 13th birthday. This rite of passage signifies that the child is now a full-fledged member of the Jewish community and holds a moral responsibility for her own actions. (No more parental blaming, Ha Ha!)
One of the basic tenets of Judaism is Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – which in a broader context also encompasses performing deeds of loving kindness.
For her Bat Mitzvah project, my granddaughter chose to help out a charity called Catherine’s Closet.
Catherine was an honor student and valedictorian of her class at Clifford Scott High School in East Orange, New Jersey. She was aspiring to be a doctor. A 14 year-old in a stolen vehicle rammed into the car driven by Courtney, Catherine’s twin sister, killing Catherine. She was buried in her prom dress.
Catherine’s Closet collects new and/or gently worn casual and dressy dresses for teenagers and women of all ages. Catherine’s Closet then sorts them by size, age and style and hosts a gigantic sale. Each dress is $10 and proceeds go to funding scholarships to further young girls’ educations.
Here’s what Sophie has to say:
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If you’d like to contribute dresses/gowns to Catherine’s Closet through Sophie’s Bat Mitzvah project, please e mail me at irisruthpastor@gmail.com and I will make arrangements for the dresses to be delivered to Sophie’s home.
In this toxic, highly fragmented, inflammatory climate, it’s nice to know that kids, parents and their communities give more than lip service to the importance of good deeds.
Thank you all in advance for any dresses and gowns you donate to Catherine’s Closet. Sophie thanks you too.
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
Iris Ruth Pastor