The Things We Take For Granted

Note: Great news!  Even though the power in Southeastern Connecticut was expected to be out until at least Saturday, I kept calling my sister's phone number--just hoping.  On Wednesday night she answered!  It was so good to talk to her.  I'm counting my blessings!

         We're all blessed in a lot of different ways.  Some of our blessings seem so commonplace that we may regard them more as "rights" than the godsend they are. A place to live, a bed to sleep in, food to eat, these are everyday necessities, and most of us probably don't think a whole lot about them.   Most of us.  Some people, however, really can't get these basic requirements out of their minds because they're needs that are left chronically unfulfilled. 
         As I promised in my last entry, today I'm going to address one of those needs--hunger. There are people who face a lack of food every day. Due to unemployment or underemployment they struggle to buy just a few groceries.
         Although, as individuals, we can't address every deficiency in the world, hunger is one thing that most of us can do something about.  There are so many people in our nation--the greatest nation on earth--who will go to bed tonight hardly able to sleep because of the discomfort of an empty stomach.  There are parents worried sick about how to feed their children.  There are children worried about the stress their parents are under, AND there are those of us who have a little extra we could share.
         I recently saw a news story about the central food bank in our state.  From there other food banks in many counties receive supplies for needy families.  Because of the poor economy, the demand for assistance is far greater than it would normally be at this time of year.  However, the shelves at the central food bank are nearly empty.

          I've also been watching a series on ABC News called Hunger In America.  Their finding: 1 in 6 Americans don't have access to enough food.  That's millions of people!  But many of us can do a little, with many small efforts adding up to a considerable amount of help for those who are struggling.

          Is there something in our pantry that we could contribute?  Almost all communities have drop off points for food donations.  Community centers, food banks, supermarkets and other locations are waiting and anxious to receive our offerings.  At these sites we can give a gift that is large or small--whatever we can afford.  ABC News has a website with information for finding the location of food pantries in every state.  They also make it easy to give a monetary donation.  For more information go to the Internet and search:  Hunger in America: How to Help-ABC News.
         Not everyone can give.  I understand

A Local Food Bank

that.  Some wonderful people who have never known want before are barely getting by right now. But no matter what our situation, we can pray for those in need.  Many would give if they could, and their  sincere intent counts big time.  That intent, coupled with prayer, can call down the powers of heaven to bless those whose needs are so great.  
         So, whether we give a tangible gift of food, or give ourselves over to prayer, or both, what gratitude should fill our hearts that we have something to give.  What a great feeling to be able to share a little from our abundance of food and faith to relieve someone's hunger--maybe even their fear--and help them to sleep more soundly tonight. 

TODAY'S INSPIRED QUOTATION:    HOW WONDERFUL IT IS THAT NOBODY NEED WAIT A SINGLE MOMENT BEFORE STARTING TO IMPROVE THE WORLD.          Anne Frank 

Bloom Where You're Planted

         Right now hundreds of thousands of people on the east coast are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  Some without flood insurance have lost everything of temporal value.  A few have suffered the ultimate loss, the death of a loved one.  A great number are still without power.  I've been calling my sister's house for 3 days--no answer.  No power.  No phone.  Although I haven't made contact with her, other friends with cell phones tell me there was little damage in her location.  My niece's husband contacted me by Facebook this morning (ain't technology wonderful?!) and assured me they are all fine.  I'm so relieved, but looking forward to hearing my sister's voice before too long.  The power will be back on by next week Rob tells me.  Maybe as soon as Saturday, if they're lucky.


Flooding in Vermont  (Photo by Jeanne Buck)

          When I think of how significantly life has changed for some people over the last few days, my heart aches for their losses. My prayers are for a sense of peace to bless them right now, in their hurt.  Hurricanes can be devastating and recovery can take a very long time.  In fact, the aftermath of the hurricane causes me to consider how many other kinds of needs there are, all around us.  When the sun is shining and the days are calm, it's easy to believe that life will always be good.  However, nature can remind us very quickly of the real nitty gritty problems that exist.  Those problems need to be addressed, and we can help address them.  Look around.  You and I may not be able to get on a plane and fly to the east coast to help with clean up and relief efforts after this storm, but there are needs in our own communities that we can help to meet. In Friday's post I will be addressing one of those specific concerns.      
         In the meantime, I will be pondering my blessings.  I have so many!  I will also be looking around to see who needs a visit, a casserole, a smile, a prayer, or some other help, and I will try to fill that void.  Although I would love to be in Connecticut with family, there are also those, in my own neighborhood, who could benefit from an expression of concern, a little love. 
         "Bloom where you're planted," I've been told.  Hurricanes or no hurricanes, this is a very good season for blooming!

TODAY'S AWESOME BLESSING:   I'VE HEARD FROM MANY EAST COAST FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ARE FINE AND MOSTLY UNAFFECTED BY THE HURRICANE. 

After the Storm

         The big news, of course, has been the hurricane on the east coast.  With so many of my family and friends living near the Atlantic Ocean, it is good to know that things weren’t as bad as they might have been.  It’s always wonderful, when we make contact after a storm, to express our love and relief that, although there have been disruptions, everything is alright. 

The Eye of  a  Massive Hurricane

         Sometimes we’re aware that storms are coming.  Sometimes they take us by surprise.  Hurricanes can be tracked.  We usually spot them forming off the west coast of Africa and we can measure their speed and progress as they approach the United States.  Other storms can’t be anticipated and can be very difficult, if not impossible, to track.  I’ve become aware of quite a few of these storms lately—most specifically since I’ve joined the Facebook world.  The storms I’m talking about are the more personal storms that come into lives causing disruptions, fear, and sometimes devastating consequences.

         In the past week or two I’ve learned that friends from my past have suffered many difficult—sometimes life threatening—even life taking—situations.  One friend’s dad lost his teaching job after 25 years.  As a result they lost their home.  Two weeks after moving into a more affordable home my friend’s mom passed away, totally unexpectedly, in the middle of the night.  Another friend told me about her sister whose 26 year old son died from a heart condition and within a short time after that her sister's husband also passed away.  A third friend suffered a life threatening bout of double pneumonia and a heart attack within the space of just a couple of years.  When I caught up with her she was suffering other physical ailments that kept her in significant pain.  And yet another friend just finished her last round of chemo for breast cancer.

         I’m sure if you survey your friends and relatives you will find many who are experiencing, or have experienced, extremely difficult circumstances.  Maybe you are in the middle of a howling storm yourself.  Most of these situations come unexpectedly—storms we don't see forming and, perhaps, can’t track. Nevertheless, they are very real.  It's great when a storm passes and we can survey the damage and breathe a sigh of relief, knowing we have come through relatively unscathed.  But many create losses that are painful and permanent.  How do we deal with those storms?

        I believe that it might well be impossible if not for the love and support of family and friends.  I remarked to one of my friends, who had experienced life threatening illnesses, that she sounded very cheerful.  Her response was, “Your whole outlook on life changes when you’re given, not once but twice, the chance to live. So I always try to stay cheerful.  Life is wonderful when you can be here with the ones you love!”   Isn’t that a great attitude, and a wonderful recognition of what is really important?!

         As Hurricane Irene churned up the Atlantic seaboard I made phone calls and expressed my concern and love to family and friends who were in the line of fire. They would have done the same for me.  How grateful I am that, when the storms of life come upon us, if we are fortunate, we are not alone.  There are loved ones near and far who are letting us know of their concern, and who will be there to help us in the aftermath.  Their expressions of affection, their support, comfort and aid are priceless and precious manifestations that before, during and after the storm there is love. 

TODAY'S GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT:   LET A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.  MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO EXPRESS YOUR LOVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS ILL OR SUFFERING.  OR EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE THAT THEY'VE COME THROUGH THEIR STORM, AND THEY'RE ALRIGHT.