The season of giving...
It's upon us...once again.
I am freaking out about it this year...seems that no matter how much money we make, everything is costing more. At this time last year we refinanced our mortgage, and as a result came out of the deal a little flush. The holidays were a breeze. I enjoyed the shopping...I always do...for others. I felt I didn't need to limit my spending...nothing went on a credit card, and all was all right with the world.
This year, as a result of our refinance, we've paid our property taxes out of pocket...ugh. This hurts...four times a year, and always very inconvenient months this large sum of money is due, but I tell myself, hey...I'm lucky to be able to make this payment...suck it up, and mail the check.
This morning Geoff called me from work. He said that although he knows how difficult this holiday season is for us this year (which really, just means paring down a bit, really) he had "adopted" 2 sisters to purchase gifts for...an 11 year old and a 12 year old. Their wish lists were so simple...things I pick up for my girls without ever even thinking about it. And it hit me...we're so fucking blessed. We HAVE a home, we HAVE so much, and so much of it we don't even need. Here are these 2 little girls who just want a few new shirts and a book about dogs. I sat at my desk and cried.
At this time, when we're getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, it's so damned important to take stock of all we really are truly thankful for! It's not the big things, the expensive jeans that Hannah likes, or the slew of "Littlest Pet Shop" animals that are littered around Emily's room (to say nothing of all the shoes in my closet!). We have each other. We eat, well and with regularity. When it is cold, we have heat. When we are sick, we can see a doctor. I think this little action Geoff took this morning is going to put an entirely different view on the holidays for all of us.
Count your blessings, friends, because they are plentiful in even the simplest ways.
I am freaking out about it this year...seems that no matter how much money we make, everything is costing more. At this time last year we refinanced our mortgage, and as a result came out of the deal a little flush. The holidays were a breeze. I enjoyed the shopping...I always do...for others. I felt I didn't need to limit my spending...nothing went on a credit card, and all was all right with the world.
This year, as a result of our refinance, we've paid our property taxes out of pocket...ugh. This hurts...four times a year, and always very inconvenient months this large sum of money is due, but I tell myself, hey...I'm lucky to be able to make this payment...suck it up, and mail the check.
This morning Geoff called me from work. He said that although he knows how difficult this holiday season is for us this year (which really, just means paring down a bit, really) he had "adopted" 2 sisters to purchase gifts for...an 11 year old and a 12 year old. Their wish lists were so simple...things I pick up for my girls without ever even thinking about it. And it hit me...we're so fucking blessed. We HAVE a home, we HAVE so much, and so much of it we don't even need. Here are these 2 little girls who just want a few new shirts and a book about dogs. I sat at my desk and cried.
At this time, when we're getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, it's so damned important to take stock of all we really are truly thankful for! It's not the big things, the expensive jeans that Hannah likes, or the slew of "Littlest Pet Shop" animals that are littered around Emily's room (to say nothing of all the shoes in my closet!). We have each other. We eat, well and with regularity. When it is cold, we have heat. When we are sick, we can see a doctor. I think this little action Geoff took this morning is going to put an entirely different view on the holidays for all of us.
Count your blessings, friends, because they are plentiful in even the simplest ways.