Sangha of Auspicious Companions

The 4-Year-Old Who Built a Village

After his parents broke up, his father moved away, and his grandparents were out of state, 4-year-old Roman Butzlaff felt lonely. So, Roman took things into his own hands — literally. He began waving at people passing by in front of his home. At first, his neighbor across the street came over, then another stopped to chat, and another. Before long, there were hugs and, at his invitation, they started attending Roman’s ballgames and swimming events. By the time his birthday rolled around, about a dozen neighbors, who were strangers before Roman started waving, were friends, and celebrated Roman’s birthday with him. Said one, “If the world was like this child, what an awesome, awesome place it would be.” In the newscast introducing the video of this story (available in the link), the host mentioned the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In Roman’s case, it took a child to raise a village.

Be The Change

Try a simple gesture such as a smile or wave that invites neighbors to join in a village of friendship and celebration.