Sorry for the previous melancholy post. I really try to keep myself upbeat and positive and usually do pretty well. But you know, all that thinking gets in the way at times. This morning I woke up extra early and checked my many lists that have been made over the past few days. The cause of my waking early was a small size 11.5 foot was in my back, but that is beside the point. After a little coffee and a shower, I am renewed and with more focus! The photo above is of our little modified snow village on our dining room buffet..
And let me preface this post by saying that in no way do I want this to be a "look at us and how great we are" kind of post. I have struggled with how to word things and exactly what to say on this subject. But, I knew I wanted respond in some way after reading Kelli's post about trying to eat off of foodstamps for a week, and my brain started to churn as to what would be appropriate. Maybe I should do the same kind of experiment with my own family of five? However, after looking into what our family would be allotted and our current dietary restrictions (gluten free, diabetic, etc.) I really think it might be impossible. I give up, or at least until January when I'll have more time and energy to work out the details. It still think it would be a good family project, but the timing isn't right for us. (Quiet prayer to self, thank you Lord that I can even think "the timing isn't right for us" to try to live off food stamps. Most families in that situation don't have that option.)
Kelli's post has had me thinking about so many of the people who are labeled "the working poor", people who don't quite qualify for government assistance, but don't have enough money to meet their daily needs. Many, many military families fall into this category. Even with the commissary, health care, etc. most enlisted families still qualify for WIC and food stamps. Unbelievable huh? So, as a fellow military family I felt lead to help someone especially close to home this year. A quick phone call to the our Fleet and Family Support organization and we were matched up with a really great family who has four boys. Their 11-year old son is having a kidney transplant on December 23rd and the donor is his 14-year old brother. The other two boys are 4-year old twins (hmmm...is this a sign or what?) My heart immediately goes out to this mama...2 of her 4 children will be undergoing surgery at the same time and the youngest two won't really even understand the weight of it all. Plus the Navy is not covering several of the bills for this operation. Christmas is looking pretty grim for them, so we are hoping to help out a little.
I am really excited about the prospect of making a small difference in our own backyard! Over breakfast, I talked to the boys about it. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Guys, I had an idea. How would you like to make another family really happy for Christmas? There is a family that needs some help for Christmas and I think we can share some of what we have with them. What do you think?
Zane: That is a good idea mama.
Ian: We can help Ms. Dorothy next door.
Me: Great idea, Ian.
Zane: But what about the little boy and the goat?
Me: What? What little boy?
Zane: You know mom. The little boy who needed a goat a long time ago?
Me: You mean the little boy last year? The one who needed a goat for milk for his family?
Zane: uh-huh. What if he needs another goat? He won't have any milk for his baby brother like Wyatt.
Me: Well, maybe we can help both of them...the little boy and someone close to us. How about that?
Zane: Mom, that will be good. Then everyone in the whole world can be happy like I am.
So, there you go...our (my) list just grew a little more. Zane wants to help a little boy buy a goat in Nicaragua, and Ian wants to help our neighbor Ms. Dorothy who just had a stroke. I want to show a little love to a fellow military family.
So, in the tradition blogging memes, consider yourself tagged. What are you doing to show the love to this holiday? Really, please share. I'd love to hear about it. Close to home or international, small or large, show someone else the love this Christmas! And pass it on.
P.S. And if you are looking to make a difference somehow and don't know where to start. How about a goat? See the Heifer badge to the right to help Zane.