Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Not ready for this.....

Early Monday morning....oh about 2 or so....I was awakened by thunder and lightning. I snuggled back under the covers and fell back asleep and when I awoke at 6 to get ready for work, it was raining hard. It did let up for a while so I could let the dog out. And I actually was able to drive to work during the respite. But the entire day was very dark, dreary and rainy. Plus that, we had wind advisories up as it was gusting to 50 MPH. What a miserable day and it got worse as the day wore on. By the time I got out at 5, the wind was cold and I was very happy to walk into my house that night.

I put on a pot of coffee right away as it sounded really good. The wind was really whipping things around out there and we had periods of pouring rain. Later, in my jammies, as I snuggled down in my couch with a good book, my coffee and the dog cuddled next to me, I couldn't help but wonder about all the people who are homeless. I always think about them more in inclement weather. I am so fortunate to have a warm, comfortable home and I give thanks for that fact on a daily basis. My little dog lives in more comfort than the homeless.

The rain kept up all night long and I woke up to more of the same today. It got down to the 40's last night and today the high did manage to get to 55 but tonight its going into the lower 40's again. We've had periods of heavy rain on and off through-out the day and I'm grateful that today was a day off for me and I didn't have to get out in it. It just seems too soon to be this cold.

I guess what I'm trying to convey here is that no matter what....no matter how disgusted you get or how angry you may get at certain situations, you have to stop and think about your blessings. Yes, I've worked the majority of my life to obtain my things but so have a lot of people....and because of current economic conditions, they've lost what they once had. My prayers are focused on those people; to help them and to help our leaders find a solution to this horrible problem. We all know someone who is in a bad situation right now. I've never, in my life, seen things as bad as they are and never have I seen so many empty homes. I hope someone comes up with a plan.....one that will work and one that won't take more away from those of us who are barely keeping our heads above water.....and I think that's most of us right now. I certainly wish I had the solution but it isn't going to hurt to pray and to pray often about it. Remember......'there but for the grace of God, go I'. Take care and God bless, my friends.

13 comments:

Maria said...

Absolutely. I work in the projects of my city and see homeless people every single day. Some are panhandlers, yes, with drug problems. Some are not. Either way, they are sleeping in stairwells while I am cuddled up in my soft bed.

Thanks for the food for thought.

happyone said...

How right you are!
We should count our blessings every day!!

Savannah said...

Yet another thing we have in common Val. I always think of the homeless when it is cold and wet outside. It makes me very grateful for what I have, that's for sure.

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

soo very very true...Take Care, you!! :)
always,
e~

Jamie said...

Wonderful post, Charlotte. I know that for most of us, (myself included now), we are all just a couple of paychecks away from homelessness. A very scary thought. And yes, I do count my blessings every day, we all need to.

Have a happy hump day. Hugs, honey. :)

Debbie said...

Val, you are so right. I posted a little of the same thing on Monday. The last thing I do at night is thank God for the roof over my head.

Great post!!

Forsythia said...

It IS tough on so many. I think of the sweet woman--a former neighbor of Mom's ---who boarded the Greyhound in Pittsburgh three times during Mom's 100th and final year for a 7-hour busride to take care of her so that my husband and I could get away for a weekend. This woman's life was a constant struggle to keep afloat, but she's a trooper and she's hanging in there. Working several jobs, keeping her car running with duct tape and baling wire, etc.

Forsythia said...

PS. We paid the woman $100 a day plus busfare, which is just a drop in the bucket compared to what we would have paid an agency. Their rates started at $18 per hour.

SOUL said...

yep. i'm with you.
hugs charlotte-
happy humpday-

Joy Des Jardins said...

You are such a good soul Val. Thank you for keeping things in perspective when it's so easy to lose it. Counting our blessings is something we all should do every day....it might help ease some of our woes....of which there are many for a lot in our country.

Our weather here in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs has been very much like yours...cold, rainy and very windy. I'm not ready yet either Val. I haven't turned on my furnace yet....I don't want to start my high gas bills already until I absolutely have to. This came on way to suddenly and to soon. But here is where I count my blessings too Val...I am not homeless. I have a roof over my head and food in my mouth. A little prayer for those who are struggling and not so fortunate is always a good thing. Love, Joy

Moohaa said...

You're a good woman. Love you.

Jenny said...

Fall arrived on Monday at 11:15 a.m. in the exact way you described.... the wind came and then the rain... and then temps dropped. Not ready either.

I also grateful for so much of what I have and was thinking the very same thing... my dogs/cat are warm and safe and so many people aren't. Luckily, in my city, the homeless have many options. Still....

Mikey said...

Good post. I always think of the lost and abandoned animals up north when it snows. Such a hard life and I wish I could find them all and take them in.