Luxury

In every thing give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

It was a difficult week. The days just ran into one another. Here was a typical one. I arrived thirty minutes early to work so I could sit at my boss’ desk and take on some of her responsibilities. Her mother in law died and she needed to attend to the services. This was the second death of a parent in her family in less than two weeks, so I didn’t begrudge her the time off. Even though taking on her role makes me extremely nervous because she deals with some complicated issues that require knowledge of labor laws. That same day, I had Citizens Review hearings to attend. More stories of neglected children and their sorry, sorry parents. Some employees who I do not directly supervise, but who I work closely with, invited me to go to lunch with them. They needed some morale support with some problems they have encountered so I spent the time listening and encouraging. In the midst of that, youngest son kept calling. He wanted me to come home for lunch and was disappointed that I couldn’t. He needed his social security card so he can apply for jobs. I told him he would have to wait. In the afternoon, I talked to a community group about our first settlers, then, took them on a walking tour of our historic downtown. Herding thirty young professionals around is not easy. Particularly when we passed some enticing bars. I was just about worn out, but my day wasn’t over yet. I went home, turned the house upside down for youngest son’s social security card and couldn’t find it. I didn’t leave enough time for a bike ride or dinner before having to leave again for a meeting at church. I snatched some trail mix and raced back to town. When I got back home, I rode my bike in the dark, printed an application for a new social security card, found youngest son’s birth certificate to go with the application, picked up the kitchen and only then did I think about calling it a day. I called it a rotten day as a matter of fact. It felt so good to lie down on my nice TemperPedic mattress. I thought about my hot shower, clear water, sweet smelling shampoo, fluffy towel, new toothbrush, clean pajamas, fresh sheets, soft pillow and warm blankets. I reflected on the roof over my head and the heat and air conditioning I take for granted. I listened to the sound of my husband snoring and youngest son walking around upstairs. Both sounds kept me from sleep. I might have considered them annoying but it dawned on me that they symbolized my family was alive. I live in luxury. I felt guilty. The day wasn’t so bad. It could have been worse. I thought of Haiti. My day could have been a lot worse. I take so much for granted. How easily I forget how much I have to be grateful for.