A Reminder, Once Again, of My Many Blessings

[qos]

Following the record levels of snow, my region is now experiencing record levels of flooding. People are being evacuated, homes are sliding down hills, water treatment and power plants are being threatened.

Yesterday I saw yet another article about recession and hundreds of thousands more layoffs.

I have friends on LJ and elsewhere who are unemployed, struggling with extreme physical health challenges, serving in a war zone, have recently lost loved ones, and whose children are facing huge, painful challenges.

Grief and hardship are not competitive, not somehow legitimized or rendered meaningless by how extreme they are compared to someone else's suffering. . . but last night and this morning I have been sobered by my many blessings: a warm, dry house on a hill, a job at a company that isn't doing layoffs, a daughter who is healthy and happy. . . Even my profound grief has been healing over time, and I am more and more comforted by the sure knowledge that I have not lost my beloved forever.

Let's all be careful out there, folks -- and be excellent to each other. . . If we have the opportunity to be kind, to be generous, to do anything to lift another up -- whether with a hand or a smile or a prayer, or a contribution of money or clothing or food for those in need, let's do so.

Comments

[sharpchick.livejournal.com]

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks for this timely reminder of my many blessings and the blessing I will receive from sharing kindness with others.

[oakmouse]

This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes. Johnny Cunningham, during a Winter Talisman performance in DC a couple of months after 9/11, prefaced the final song by taking the mic and saying, quietly, "These are very difficult times we're in now, and we need to take care of one another and be very very kind to one another, because we're all we've got." (I'm slightly paraphrasing, because I haven't watched the video in a couple of years.)

[qos.livejournal.com]

Yes. . .

I'd like to see that video some time.

[elevengirl.livejournal.com]

Amen.

[silverhawkdruid.livejournal.com]

Nicely said, Honey!
Hugs

[qos.livejournal.com]

*hugs and love!