To Be Grateful
As I stood standing in line for gum today, the man behind me offered a smile and I smiled back. Gum seems to ease my anxiety. The lady in front of us seemed to be having trouble with her transaction and so, small talk naturally developed. He clutched a king sized candy bar in his hand and he jokingly offered me half (or at least the larger of the two), chuckling as he rubbed his belly. He indicated that I’d be doing him a service by sharing it with him, again, pointing at his belly. I told him he could always freeze the other half and his smile dimmed. He softly confessed he was living out of his car (no freezer except for the one that mother nature will be providing during tomorrows icy rain storm). It’s crazy how we run into so many people in our daily lives. Waitresses we don’t hug, colleagues we pass by, Facebook posts of people complaining or bragging about this or that or even the homeless man on the corner slumped over his cardboard sign. Sure, we see them but life gets in the way and I for one didn’t even notice his scruffy shoes or his unkempt beard and an odor vaguely tinged of wet towels or leaves…or something like that. I felt helpless. My anxiety rose. I unraveled my gum. I smiled harder. I leaned over for a hug.
Sometimes, when I’m cloaked in the darkness, tangled in my fuzzy blanket, with my phone humming Chopin to lull me to sleep, I marvel at the fine possibility of a hot shower after a stick-to-your-ribs meal shared with brilliant company and feel so blessed that my heart feels like it will explode (and I wonder why I have such anxiety, haha). What I mean to say is that there’s just so much to be grateful for. You and I aren’t living out of our cars with an almond joy as our sole sustenance and if ever you feel lonely, please know that a certain squishy monster is only a click away.
I am most grateful to my lovely family. You are my everything.
Love always,
Your Squishy Monster ^.~
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That was beautiful my friend and what an inspiration to meet such a giving man despite his circumstances. It is natural for us to take too much for granted and we should take special care to remember everyone’s position.
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The fact that he was willing to share, just shows you where some people’s hearts are. I can’t imagine living in a car or being homeless in this kind of weather. It is so sad. You have huge heart and a wonderful family, you have lots to be thankful for. I do too but, sometimes we need to actually look at all we have a be grateful for! Great post Squishy! xoxo
I for one am also grateful to have met you, Suzie. I love your spirit. You’re a strong woman that I admire and I’m happy to be in your company!
Great reminder of not only gratitude but kindness and generosity. My husband and I have been teaching our toddler to smile at everyone, homeless, crazy, etc. because we tell him, “Everyone, EVERYONE, deserves at least a smile”.
Great post! I am also very grateful for my incredible family, couldn’t ask for any better.
=)
what happen to guy in car? u tell him about Rescue Mission or Salvation army? i usually direct people in need to one of those places or to a local church where i volunteer.
So true, it is so good to realize how blessed we are, even when we are stressed or in despair. Perhaps especially at those times, because certainly being thankful during bad times helps us out of them. Family certainly is a huge blessing and you have a wonderful one! I’m thankful for mine too, though we have quite a few, shall we say, “issues.” lol The family that is dysfunctional together sticks together!
We all have so much to be grateful for
Love all the love in this post <3
Well said Angie. We are all blessed to have family and real friends that love and care about us especially in theses times and in the near future. God bless you Angie. Have a lovely day! Nothing like a smile from a nice ( NON MAN HATING LADY 0 to make a man’s day!
Love.
Les.
Definitely a moment that puts things in perspective. We are very lucky.
Love this. Well said and so, so true. <3
Well said. A good reminder to not take what we have for granted.
Ah such a great post and a lesson we should all remember!
Thanks for sharing! Made me stop and think and take a moment to be grateful.
that was so sweet
What a lovely post, a fantastic reminder of what’s really important.
We need to remind ourselves of this everyday. We get so wrapped up in our daily life that we forget so quickly. I am thankful for my family, my friends and my blogger buddies
Great reminder!
So true. I have to admit, I feel horrible for the homeless but my thoughts are usually with animals. It must have been horrible to feel so helpless. It makes me think that our governments don’t have their priorities right. We send so much money overseas but don’t seem to do much to help the people within the country who are struggling. Family are the best <3
Families are amazing =)
Thanks =)
=)
You blogger buddies are the best!
Thanks, Lin!
Your video was sweet!
This makes me happy to hear, Andrea!
Thanks, Jo. Hopefully I’ll find “a boy” of my own one day too and then it’ll be perfect, lol.
I’m pretty certain though other things may fall to the way side, I most def. don’t take food for granted ahahhaaha
so SO true =)
Yes we are =)
Hope you had a great weekend, Les!
and I love all your cookie love! =)
That we do!!
Love that quote, V! It’s probably more true than people realize!! =)
I had no idea you were a local too, Brian! hoooray!! I did. I do a lot of work at the crisis assistance ministry and told him about that and those as well =)
Meeee too. I’m glad to hear it, Natalie!!
I love that, Alyssa. You guys are great parents! (The kind that I hope to be one day)!!!!!
sorry, no..i am not in Charlotte. i am a local New Yorker in Utica. if i were in Charlotte i would stop by for some of your food! hahaha
So many things to be grateful for, yet are often over looked. Thank you for the reminder and sharing your heart warming experience.
Love & Prayers,
Paul
Thank you, Paul!!