What does this post have to do with David Archuleta? – absolutely nothing but then again it does, so here I go because I can! This post was originally started last year at the end of a much anticipated vacation. Then reality struck and life as a full time physician, blogger, wife, mother, you name it took over and this sat unfinished for months, until now.
I recently completed a much anticipated trip to Bolivia, South America, to visit relatives and do some traveling in this country of many contrasts. From the frigid and blustery “El Cumbre” (the summit) the road through the Andes peaking at 17,000 feet to the swealtery foot hills of the “Yungas” where the beginnings of the Amazon basin starts, from the bustling and bursting of life city of La Paz to the falsely imagined idylic and seemingly slow paced country towns of Corico and Huainaya … I frequently was forced to stop and reflect upon the contrasts between my blessed life and those of the hard working people of this poorest of the South American countries.
While touring Bolivia I met some children of the upper class of society here who have much of what children in the USA have – iPods, lap top computer, XBox, the best of clothes, etc. On the other side of the spectrum I also met children who had nothing more than the clothes on their backs and their shoe shining kits in hand. Street children earning a living one bolivian peso at a time. One tenatious boy in particular spotted me (the gringa) in a crowd of hundreds and made a bee-line to me. He insisted on shoe shining my plastic crocs! ”Hay plastico zapatos!” I said, (or I think I said). ”No problema Senora”, he said. He shined those ugly pair of Crocs with gusto, doing the best job he could, all the time with a smile. When he was done I asked him how much. He replied, ”lo que tu corazón dice” (what ever your heart tells you).
Talking about having some “street smarts” – this young man knew exactly what to say and who to say it to. 
I emptied out my pockets and purse of all the bolivian money I had accumulated up until that point. According to my father-in-law, a months worth of hard work. To me however, it was just one less trinket purchase of something I really did not need.
We often take for granted what we have or often complain about the “hard work” we have to do in order to obtain all of our stuff. If you are reading this, you are blessed because you have some sort of device or access to one in order to read. Something countless millions in this world will never have our lives being in such contrast to many.
So, while I fully intend to spend some time on this site with my best Archu-buds, I hope to focus more of my life on my family and also into doing good for others and hopefully take my own child along for the ride. He recently helped to pick a Bolivian girl to sponsor through ChildFund – but that is just one small step in the right direction.
In this end, I am stepping back from day to day management of FanScene. In the next few days this website will be taking on a new diminished posting format, but we will still be here, you know where to find us.
~ArchieFanDoc
Beautifully written, Cathy. Off to work, but will leave a proper comment when I get back. <3.
janey(Quote)
Well written & love the pictures!! Thanks for always being here & your great posts & comments!
sunny(Quote)
Thank you so much! I have often thought of David’s plea for us to BEGIN. to do something! and many times we sit and chat on the computer while valuable time is wasted. I really appreciate your sharing with us your thoughts and experiences. It means a lot! Thank you for all your hard work on this site. It brings us all together and helps us “see” David. Looking forward to the future! Thanks again Doc and all those who work and serve at this sight! It is much appreciated!
MUNK_MA(Quote)
Thank you for the beautiful article. I understand why the diminished posting format, it really sounds like you have a lot on your plate, but, at the same time, so happy you are leaving it open. IMO, David needs as all his fan sites to stay active.
Not worried about his sites this year, but next year is going to be hard. I just hope that David’s team have a few things to give his hungry fans to carry us through until he returns.
cq#DA2014(Quote)
This is beautiful Doc~C. Thank you for sharing this and saying what is in many of our hearts, and saying it so beautifully. There is so much we all can do for people in need during the next 18 months. Also, so much to look forward to!
Oh, and thank you for being here for all these years! Jana
Jana OREGON(Quote)
Awesome, Awesome post AFD! This is the kind of post that really gets you to think.
And of course thanks to you, and everyone here at AFS.
marc(Quote)
AFD, Thanks for all you guys do at fan scene! I know its lots of work and I do appreciate it! Emily
emilyluvsarchie(Quote)
I am glad you finished your article and finally posted it!
I’m sorry to say I didn’t introduce myself to you awhile ago though you were sitting right next to me with Janey across from you haha! It was at Panda’s near The Grove in Anaheim.
The sentence “We often take for granted what we have or often complain about the “hard work” we have to do in order to obtain all of our stuff” was making think of how I’m spending my weekends working and then you mentioned ChildFund which made me smile. I am working on weekends on a side project to help a friend help his friend. When my friend came to me with the project, I remember thinking how perfect the timing was. With David going on hiatus, I have time! I accepted the project with my ChildFund Child in mind! It will pay for her for many more years to come. Even so, on occasions I catch myself grumbling about working 7 days a week. But I stop myself and think how cool it is to be able to say “I’m working hard for my child!” lol not having any of my own.
May you enjoy your next two years or so focusing on your family and on helping others. We will all still be here.
penciltopaper(Quote)
I love this article! It’s always good to have reminders of those people in the world who don’t have much but still have hope. Best wishes to all of you in your own lives and in your efforts to help others and help your own families understand our complex world.
bluebird19 (attwittsend)(Quote)
THIS…is my favorite FanScene post ever. You ARE a writer, after all!
I especially love the story about the young Bolivian shoe-shine boy who answered you with, ”lo que tu corazón dice” (what ever your heart tells you).” That phrase is parallel to what finally prompted you to make this important decision. I think it’s a great decision – even though you are a FANTASTIC manager – because now…I can hog more of your attention, lol. Sorry, David. 
Love you, Doc!!!!! < #3
archuletafanscene(Quote)