Prelude:
A few months ago a very close friend of my oldest daughter (Tracy-not her real name) lost her home to a foreclosure. Consequently, they (her single mom, and three siblings) had to move in with a relative who had several children of his own. From what I hear via my daughter, Tracy is very unhappy in their “overcrowded” living arrangement and wishes that one day (soon) her mom would find them a place of their own, where she would not have to share a room with three other family members. In the meantime, Tracy continues to rotate between crashing at our house or at the home of some other friend(s).
A couple days after Christmas, I overhear my 15-year old daughter chatting on the phone with another close friend of hers:
“You’re lucky, you got everything you asked for,” she blurts in a dejected tone of voice.
“What’s the matter with you?” I interrupt. “You got a lot of stuff that were on your list.”
“Not really.” She replies in a pretentious tone of voice. “I asked for jewelry and shoes, no one gave me shoes or jewelry. I asked for gift cards to Kohl’s, Hollister’s, Wet Seal, and American Eagle. Almost everyone gave me iTunes gift cards.”
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
“No.”
“Are you cold?”
“No, the heater is blowing fine in my room.” She says.
“Do you like having your own room?” I continue.
“Yeah. Why?”
“When was the last time you to talked to Tracy?”
“I don’t know. She doesn’t have a cell phone anymore.”
“Would it kill you to be thankful for all the things you have rather than focusing on what you didn’t get or don’t have?” I ask.
All I get from her as far as a response goes, is a lame shrug.
To all who continue to pester me with, “What’s your new year’s resolution,” pay close attention…
I have zero plans to join Gold’s Gym. I have nada desire to meet Jenny Craig. In fact, I have zilch intention of discontinuing my year long campaign against neighbors who continue to park their vehicles on the road rather than in their driveway. The only resolution that I have for the upcoming year 2009 (and beyond) nonetheless, is simple. I intend to live each day with an attitude of gratitude for all things great and small. How about you?
Happy New Year to all NIA patrons!
2 comments
No kidding. Most of us ought to be counting our blelssings-given the current state of the economy. I take it that you finally relocated? Buckhead is pretty cool, isn’t it?
We tend to get spoilt and forget to be thankful for having the basic things of life. I went to Houston’s in Buckhead an Atlanta suburb yesterday and it was crowded and the wait time was a half hour. I mean, this is a trendy restaurant and not cheap. My first thought was, “I thought we were in a recession?” So as I enjoyed my meal (the tab came out at almost $80), I thanked God quietly for enabling me to enjoy a moment like this when most families can hardly afford to go out to eat. I am blessed.