My Gratitude

So I've been meaning to write this post since last weekend BUT I've pretty much had an ongoing migraine since then and it's difficult to focus on the things I'm thankful for when my head is throbbing...

Anyway, in one of the books I was reading, it was talking about Africa, and Darfur (it was only a James Patterson novel...nothing completely intellectual BUT I've heard in the past about Darfur and have also seen Blood Diamond) and the woman and children who get raped, the violence, the killing...at the hands of little boys even who are basically trained to be these little killing machines. Anyway, it's stuck with me a little more than most things and I'm trying to remind myself on a daily basis of all the little things I'm thankful for. I'm often thankful for my children, for my husband and for the luxury of being able to stay at home with my kids...but simple things like having running water...just being able to take shower...that whole expression of having a "roof over your head"...I've heard that a hundred times but it was always in one ear and out the other. But I bet there are MILLIONS of people out there who would give anything to take a shower...or to have a hot meal...have shoes on their feet...a bed to sleep in...medication to take, dentists and doctors to visit...PEACE OF MIND...that they're not going to be raped or killed.

Obviously I know not everyone is in dire straights like this...but there are plenty of people who are...so I'm trying to remind myself that though the weight watcher meal that I'm eating is not the McDonalds I'm wanting...it's at least something to eat, etc.

I did hear about a website that that Zach Braff guy from Scrubs was promoting...something about, if you donate $5, two pairs of shoes will be given to a child who needs them. That was another thing that got me to thinking...I just go about my daily life...not ever really thinking that there are kids out there without shoes. That just seems crazy to me. I'm pretty much completely blind to the rest of the world. http://www.50000shoes.com/

I just wanted to put my gratitude out there...because I don't always focus on it...and can complain way too much for someone who really does have it all...hopefully I will forever be stumbling upon things that guide me back into a state of appreciation.