Thursday, December 03, 2009

Pickles & Blessings

The economy is suckie.

Giant newsflash for you there!

I'm so thankful that both Beloved and I are still employed, but I worry about everyone else. We have family that has been unemployed for quite some time now and I wonder how on earth they are making it.

Then there's Boy. He's returned to camp after re-cooperating from Mono (of which he had a seemingly mildly case) and is now sick. AGAIN.

He's thinking maybe there is black mold in his house. He's thinking he may need to move. He's anxious, I can hear it in his voice. If he can't figure something out, he'll have to move home. Which isn't all that bad, except, he'll lose both his job.

And that's pretty devastating.

Yet, it's not the end of the world, or at least I hope it isn't.

It's a pickle. It really is.

And he's not the only one in this pickle. Lots of folks are unemployed. Lots of people are visiting the food bank for the first time in their life. More families will receive food baskets for Christmas than last year.

Which is why those of us who are employed should give of our bounty.

My place of employment puts up a giving tree every year and the tags are snatched off there so quickly I'm surprised that the branches are left in one piece. What can I say? I work with a group of fabulous women.

For my part, I chose a gift tag for a little three-year-old girl, size 4T, who wanted...

drum roll

A PRINCESS DRESS!

I do love me some PRINCESS shopping. Love. It.

There is just something about little girls all decked out in lace, silk, or velvet, that makes me giddy with joy. Sparkly shoes, white tights, colorful ribbons, it's all just so cute.

There are no more gift tags on our giving tree and I'm glad. It means that lots of folks are going to receive a lovely Christmas thanks in part to Curves Gym and our wonderful members.

This year, instead of buying yet another video game, why not help your child learn to give. A little sacrificial giving is good for the soul.

That, and it makes you feel pretty darn good too.

4 comments:

A.Marie said...

Hi there! I love your post! I think that there should be more giving than getting this year, because my hubs is still employed and even though we don't have alot of monetary items, we have a warm house, clean clothes, and enough food to eat. :)

Sandcastle Momma said...

Our business has really suffered but we're still hanging on. I can't imagine how hard it must be for those who have no job in sight. Good for ya'll for empyting that tree! There will be some very happy little people out there.

Show us a picture of the Princess dress before you wrap it? I miss dressing little girls LOL

Darrell Michaels said...

Sure hope Boy gets to feeling better soon and that his living situation works out for the best for him.

God bless you all for giving to those in need, my friend!

My terrific and very giving wife suggested last year for Christmas that instead of buying a bunch of garbage we didn't need for each other, that we take that money and make up some goodie bags for the homeless. We took a bunch of gloves, handi-wipes, scarfs etc in individual bags to the youth shelter accordingly.

Funny how I can remember that Christmas but typically can't remember gifts from other ones. :)

The Sweet Family said...

I love giving during the Holidays. Luckily my husband and I are both still employed. I work for a company (www.ccs-inc.com) that believes in giving. Just today, I was given information on a fellow employee whose wife works for a special needs person that literally has no clothes. I sent an email to everyone where I work to bring in donated clothing and my employer give me a very nice donation to go shopping with on Monday. We also collect canned goods to give to the local food bank.

I always tell my kids that it is so important to help out because we never know if we will need the help someday.

Keep up the great work!!!