Putting Things in Perspective

I was driving home from the hospital with my son, merrily singing along with the radio, when I hit a pothole and chaos developed. Getting out of the car to see what had happened I saw we had suffered two flat tires and damaged beyond repair hubcaps. Somehow we managed to limp to a garage (and what horrific noise driving on those flats made), called AAA, and waited. Fortunately the tow truck arrived in a relatively short space of time, towed us to another garage that sold tires and rims, but were told we'd have to order new hubcaps from a dealer.

I had been looking forward to taking my son out for a celebratory luncheon and now this--not only the time spent buying new tires and getting them installed, but being told replacing the hubcaps would cost hundreds of dollars more. Well, I was fit to be tied, to put it mildly. After the horrendous winter we've had I realize the roads are in terrible shape, but why don't the towns get on the ball and repair them? What do we pay taxes for? I was fuming!

Then my son calmly said, "Well, look at it this way, Mom--at least we were going home from the hospital, not driving to it," and that stopped me dead in my tracks. For only three weeks before I had taken my son in for major cancer surgery. Filled with dread that day, I didn't know what to expect, but the operation was successful and the surgeons said they were sure they got it all. I remembered how my eyes filled with tears of gratitude at those words and how I humbly thanked God. So what was this mishap with the pothole but a minor distraction really? Annoying sure, expensive unfortunately, but also my moment of truth. It helped me put things in perspective as I realized nothing was more important that my son's health and well-being.

GRATITUDE

The other day someone said to me,"This country is in such a mess I don't see how we're ever going to get out of it." And that set me to thinking. A mess? Well, I'm sure everyone would agree there are problems that have to be solved. The unemployment rate is pretty high, much too high if you're pounding the pavements looking for work in some parts of the country, and the terrorist threat is downright scary. It's sad to think how many people in other parts of the world seem to hate us, in spite of the fact that we haven't done anything to them, and in many cases have tried to help them as much as we can. Yet there are still those who'd do us harm and, of course, we can't forget that looming national debt which all the soothsayers say our children and grandchildren will be saddled with unless we do something about it. So there are problems, horrendous problems I agree. Out country isn't perfect, far from it.

But ask yourself: would you want to live anyplace else? I think we all know the answer to that. So as Christmas and the holiday season approaches it occurred to me that maybe we should pause a moment in our sometimes hectic lives and practice a little simple gratitude. The results might surprise you. Just think how lucky you are if your kids and grandkids are healthy, that you have food on the table, and a warm, cozy house to come home to. Pause a moment to say thanks if somebody loves you, in spite of all your faults and little quirks. Okay, it's a cliché but I firmly believe that love really does make the world go round. And what about dear friends who put up with you when you're cranky and lift you up when you're down? Will you ever forget that kind soul who took the kids and ran your errands when you were laid low with the flu? And what about that sweet person who held your hand when you lost a loved one and felt your whole world was tumbling down? Friends--we couldn't do without them.

So the country's a mess? I don't think so. We have problems sure, but instead of bemoaning out fate what do you say we count our blessings and be grateful? Gratitude doesn't cost a thing and it'll make you happy; I guarantee it! Especially at this season of the year. Merry Christmas.