If all I have to complain about is not being able to find a particular gift at Wal-Mart, then I should just shut up. What an ingrate I am. Every day I see people who are waiting for a kidney transplant so that they can live another year. I also see people who have recently had a transplant and are grateful for every single day they are alive. Others I see are ninety years old and have no family. They rely on government agencies to bring them to the doctor. They have no place to go for Christmas.
Today my Aunt Linda’s store burned. It’s a retail sporting goods-type store and it was packed to the brim for the Christmas season. Christmas sales are vital to her business and now her store is probably a total loss. Linda’s fine; the fire occurred early this morning, while she was at home, so no one was injured.
When tragedy strikes, it’s always bad, but for some reason it seems even worse when it happens in December. We are under the impression that we are supposed to be shielded from the bad during the Christmas season, so when something happens to us during this time we seem surprised and more deeply affected. Maybe we should all wake up. After all, the homeless and the hungry are not magically housed and fed in December just because we think everything is supposed to be perfect this time of year.
I love giving Christmas gifts to my loved ones. I enjoy wrapping them and anticipating how surprised they are going to be when they open their gifts. These are what make Christmas a happy time for me. The fact that I have to go shopping for these gifts is what I don’t enjoy, however, it’s all worth it when my dear family and friends are happy with their gifts. Just thought I’d clear up any misconceptions that I’m a Scrooge. I’m NOT!
So, how am I feeling right now? Hopeful for the patients I see every day at work. Very sad for my Auntie Linda. Grateful that she’s okay, though. Disappointed in myself for not doing more for the less fortunate. I think that’s something I’m going to have to work on.
6 comments:
So, so sorry to hear about Linda's store. And you are right about getting some perspective. I bitch about having to run back and forth between two families when I should be grateful that we have parents that care.
Oh hon! So sorry to hear what happened! Give her extra hugs and support from all us blogging chicas. We'll be thinking of her!
thanks for reminding us to be grateful every day.
my thoughts are with Linda.
I am so sorry to hear about your Aunt Linda's store!
Yeah, I have to give myself that same little talk from time to time. It's amazing what we take for granted.
isn't it humbling to play back your paltry gripes after something like that happens? i get that reminder ALL THE TIME.
you would think i would learn. :)
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