Thursday, February 4, 2010

Life in These Times...

About 10 years ago, I was doing home daycare and at that point in our lives, we had enough money that I almost felt "rich". We paid all our bills and never had less than $15,000 in our savings account. Things have certainly changed.

I think there are very few people right now who are where they imagined they would be at this point in their lives - me included.

Last night I was working at the Merc (our little general store/restaurant) here in Hidden Springs, when one of my favorite customers, Cliff came in. He and his wife moved here several years ago to be near their kids and especially their grandkids. He's probably a few years older than me and he stopped in several times a week with his grandson and they'd sit at the bar and have something to drink.

He bought a bottle of Coke and a six pack of beer and said "Today is moving day, I wish it wasn't raining".

WHAT? "You're moving?"

In very few words, he told me yes, they were moving to Meridian, a few miles away.

Yep, someone I thought had it all and the job loss and economy had gotten him too. He has lost his house. It all made me very sad. So, I guess while I'm not where I thought I would be at this stage of my life, I'm also in a much better place than I COULD be.

A few days ago, I went to Ada County to get Elmer's registration renewed for his truck. I lucked out! No one in line and my number was called immediately. Yep, life is good! I paid for the registration with my debit card and damn if the system didn't go down. I was told to take a seat, it was probably going to be 20 minutes before they could get it working. I finally paid and started to leave the counter when the guy said to me "Thanks for being so patient." Without thinking (because I say this several times a day either to myself or out loud) I replied, "If that's the worst thing that happens to me today, I'll be grateful!" and walked out feeling not too damn bad.

I really want this t-shirt...


Trying to get through life right now is really hard on so many people and it can be so depressing at times, but I can't tell you how many times a day I remind myself that "life is good". Help, those you love and care about as much as you can. I hope you can find the good in your life every day...
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10 comments:

  1. kateFebruary 4, 2010 at 11:38 AM

    You are such an inspiration to remember that Life Is Good!!

    While we may not have everything we WANT, we are extremely blessed to have everything we NEED. So many people aren't that lucky.

    Just this morning I was listening to a story of a boy who grew up in Haiti, believing his family was "rich" because they had a towel and bread. True, he had to share that towel with two other people, and the bread with his little sisters. But their neighbors didn't even have a towel!

    Of course, then he moved to America and realized how poor they'd been. But it's all a matter of perspective, isn't it?

    Thanks for the reminder; I needed that today. Love you sis!!!

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  2. tallulahFebruary 4, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    Thank you for reminding me that life IS good!

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  3. JACKIFebruary 4, 2010 at 12:54 PM

    I agree... we all could have it sooo much worse.
    For instance... having to send our kids around neighborhoods, with a pitty story selling loaves of bread for $5 just to make a living.
    {{{shrug}}}

    ^ you should blog about that! lol!

    In all seriousness... we really do have it good and, yes, life is good!

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  4. DeeFebruary 4, 2010 at 2:01 PM

    LIFE IS GOOD ! LIFE IS WONDERFUL! !

    Right now I am grateful because this morning I tried to log on to my computer and it WOULD NOT. There was a fatal everything ----short story,just now, I went to the "mysterious box" upstairs, unplugged the thingamagig, (technical term) and tried again and HOT DOG, there it was.

    Looking around at neighbors losing their homes makes me so sad. But looking at Haiti and other places and people around the world----right here, right now

    LIFE IS GOOD. I am so very grateful for what I have and who I have in my life. Family and friends are so very important !
    I love you all !

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  5. jaciFebruary 5, 2010 at 8:14 PM

    I want that T-Shirt, too! Thank you for telling me about Cliff. I've kept him & his family in my heart the past few days.
    We really are blessed people. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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  6. Linda February 6, 2010 at 6:24 AM

    Wonderful post sis! Thank you for reminding us that we are soooo damn lucky in our lives.
    *smiling!*

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  7. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    Thanks for the reminder
    I LOVE you
    Elmer

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  8. JodiFebruary 9, 2010 at 9:53 AM

    Elmer, I have a good partner to get through these hard times with. Thanks for sticking it out with me!

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  9. UnknownFebruary 13, 2010 at 8:34 AM

    LIFE IS GOOD!!!! I love those t-shirts too. When I was without hair, my girlfriend gave me one that said "grow." I loved it, but I think that simple phrase "life is good" is such a powerful thing to say out loud. I hope you get your t-shirt!

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  10. JodiFebruary 13, 2010 at 8:44 AM

    Thanks Kristin. I may just order that shirt off the internet for myself!

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