Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Emma saves the tigers

I told you yesterday that my niece Emma just celebrated her 10th birthday but what I DIDN'T tell you is that she specifically asked that no one bring her any presents. When I first heard that, I thought that maybe she was delirious or, perhaps, had become a communist. But then I learned the reason for the request and I thought it was just so sweet . . .

Tammy: Emma does not want presents this year for her birthday.
Me: What?? What's the matter with her?
Tammy: She's decided that she wants people to make donations to save the tigers.
Erin: What the HELL??
Tammy: Yeah - she wants to raise money to save some extinct tiger.
Me: Extinct?? Sounds like she's too late. Either that or that website is ripping her off.
Tammy: I mean "endangered!" There's some tiger that's endangered and she wants to raise $1000 to save it.
Erin: Well, ummmm . . . can I have her presents?

My mom, the animal lover and all-around encourager of altruistic endeavors, later discussed this whole concept with Emma:

Mom: Why are you wasting your birthday presents on a tiger? [see what I mean about the encouragement?] I mean, why not save a child?
Emma: Because I love tigers and I want to save them so that they won't be extinct, Dearsie.
Mom: Yeah, but who cares about TIGERS?
Emma: Dearsiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie . . .
Mom: Well, what about your birthday presents? Don't you think you'll miss them?
Emma: No. You know, Dearsie - I got everything I wanted for Christmas this year. So I don't need any more stuff. I'd rather help the tigers . . .

Isn't that so sweet? And so mature? When I was 10, giving up my birthday presents was the LAST thing on my mind. I was too busy playing with my friends and running my pick through my permed mullet to think about tigers, endangered or otherwise. So I think it's a pretty remarkable thing that she did and I was very proud of her.

But, for the record, I still think she's crazy for giving up her birthday presents. And I'm not altogether convinced she's out of the woods on the communism thing . . .

* * * * *

I would be remiss if I didn't give you Emma's website so that you could help save the tigers, too, if you so desire. You can just click on the link below to donate and, before you know it, you'll be a tiger lover like Emma!

Just don't tell my mom . . . :)

http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/TR/Events/PandaPages?pg=fund&fr_id=1040&pxfid=26602&pxfid2=26602

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