Tiemans doing their part to make an impact
In a culture that has been maligned as being capitalistic, imperialistic, shallow and the parent of the “me-generation,” America is also one of the most charitable societies on the planet.
There are many charitable organizations in this country, like the Peace Corps, Habitat for Humanity, CARE and the Red Cross, which make their presence known across the world. In some cases, they do this with the help of the U.S. government behind them.
But there are thousands of individual Americans who don’t have that organizational support who nonetheless give of their time, their money, their lives, and most of all, their love, in an effort to save one abandoned child. These are the people who should really impress us.
They are the unsung heroes, operating almost behind the scenes, working their wonders and miracles one child at a time, against seemingly insurmountable odds. It’s with that in mind, much admiration goes out to Marv and Diann Tieman for the love they’ve directed toward their three adopted children, as well as the battle they fought against some heavy odds in order to give them a better life.
The couple’s desire to help mankind and to help others by giving the most unfortunate of children a quality home speaks volumes for their good-heartedness and their character, and the character of Americans in general.
There are dozens of families out there just like the Tiemans all across the United States. Some of them are living in Warren County.
Yet the Tiemans’ passion stands out. They’ve adopted not one – but three – Romanian children, rescuing them from some of the most hideous living conditions imaginable in poorly run orphanages. These aren’t American orphanages, mind you, but orphanages in a country where living conditions are deplorable.
Compassion can be non-existent. The children aren’t picked up and held. They are bathed with a hose. They get their diapers changed only on occasion and there isn’t much food. Marv, during a six-week stay in Romania, said he once lost 17 pounds while visiting the country.
This is a world that’s not familiar to us. It’s a culture that’s halfway across the earth. But it’s a culture that touches our culture, and our citizens, in profound ways.
It induced the Tiemans to make that long journey even though they have two grown kids of their own. They traveled thousands of miles because they were inspired by footage from the TV show “20/20.” That commitment has spanned an 11-year period, starting in 1991 with Michael, who is now 13. After that came Andreea, now 6, and with the recent adoption of Rachael, 8, about a week ago, the Tiemans now have three young children to raise.
These are children of difficult beginnings. Children who perhaps require extra care, and a big dose of a very special kind of love. Why would a couple who had already successfully raised one family take on this kind of challenge? But when you meet the Tiemans and see them with the newest additions to their family, it’s pretty obvious.
It’s because they have the love to give, and see no earthly reason not to give it. To stand by and do nothing is not their nature. To help is an immediate calling for these two.
There are thousands of Americans just like them. It’s something that should make us all proud to be Americans.
It’s a philosophy reminiscent of a comment made by local community activist Kay Ramsey in a recent Standard interview: As one person, you may not be able to change the world, but you can be the world to one person.