Missokyst
Posts: 6041
Joined: 9/9/2006 Status: offline
|
I am like you in that I detest the holiday season. Normally I am in a serious funk from Nov till Jan, but this year feels a bit different. As I drive around town I notice that there is a huge increase in our homeless population. Their crude signs are asking for things like food, warm clothing, large plastic bags to keep off the rain, or a tent for shelter. Some of them have a dog or two in tow with only a small layer of fat to ward off the cold. I am indeed grateful for having great kids, a place to live, food to eat, and a job that challenges me, though those things never quite got me through a season that is a rush of anxiety, drawn out slowly over months. Last year I volunteered on Thanksgiving to serve food at the local shelter. Still.. not quite there. But this year as I watch the numbers of people out there, now gathered in groups and huddled together I tried a different tact. Instead of the one day deal now I keep food in my car, for people there are sandwiches and sometimes soup depending on the day. And for the dogs I have pouches of dog food handy that I give when ever I see an animal out on the streets. If I have a spare coat or sweater, instead of letting them clutter my closets or drawers I give them out. This season is still hellish for me, but less so now that I have started a more determined push to do good.
_____________________________
pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding ~Gibran, Kahlil “The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.” ― Bob Marley
|