TTR-RIP

The Things I Have
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Reading "The Changed Prayer" this morning in MountainWings,
I was reminded of something I wrote and sent to my four children
on the verge of coming out of a deep depression - right before
Christmas.

Dear Children;

As I was lying in bed last night unable to sleep, I remembered
a song from an old movie I had watched last night on TV. The
chorus went something like this, "If you're worried and you
can't sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep."

I started thinking about that, and as I have been so depressed
the last few months, I realized that all I have been thinking
about are the things I DON'T have.

So last night, I started counting my blessings. This is
only a partial list as I would have to write a ten volume book
to hold all of them.

Instead of thinking about how small this house is, I thought
about how I have a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and office
(as opposed to being homeless).

Instead of thinking about the fact that I have no warm boots, I
thought about how many good pairs of shoes I have (as opposed
to wearing shoes with holes in the bottom or not having any to
wear at all).

Instead of thinking about the fact that I have no meat in my
freezer, I thought about all of the cans of vegetables and soup
I have in my cabinets (as opposed to not knowing where my next
meal is coming from).

Instead of thinking about the fact that I have no car, I thought
of the fact that I am healthy and can walk (as opposed to
people who are house bound in a wheelchair).

Instead of thinking about not having presents to give this year,
I thought about the fact that my family, including myself,
already have the best gifts in the world... health, love, and a
great God who protects us all (as opposed to having no family,
no God, or having an incurable disease).

Instead of thinking about how ugly the blankets look that I have
draped over the doors and windows to keep out the cold air, I
thought about how warm and cozy the two rooms I have left open
are and the fact that I have the money to pay the electric bill
(as opposed to some who have no heat at all and are sleeping
with a cardboard box for a blanket).

I have hundreds of books to read. I have a TV that allows me to
receive 15 channels. I have a computer that allows me to do my
job, play games, and visit with my family and friends online
(as opposed to people who have nothing).

Instead of thinking about missing my children this Christmas, I
thought about the fact that I raised them to be independent and
responsible; and I raised them so someone else would be able to
live with them and fulfill their lives when the time came for me
to step aside as caregiver (as opposed to so many who are
alone and can't or won't work to take care of their families,
and can neither give nor receive love).

Instead of thinking about not being surrounded by my
grandchildren this Christmas, I thought about the fact that they
all have wonderful parents and homes filled with love (as opposed
to the so many children who have no one to care for them).

I have a VCR and many photograph albums that allow me to see my
family when I want to relive the "good old days" in my memory
bank (as opposed to being senile or not having any good
memories to look back upon).

I have a telephone to use when I need to hear, "I love you,
Mom."

So...since I have everything I need and more, in lieu of gifts
for me this year, make sure a homeless family has Christmas
dinner.

Take home a tag off the "Angel Tree" so that some child more
unfortunate than yours will have a nice gift from Santa under
the tree.

And think about me on Christmas Day as I will be thinking about
you...

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING THE GREATEST BLESSINGS A MOTHER COULD
EVER HOPE TO HAVE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I LOVE YOU!

MOM.

~A MountainWings Original by Sue Weindorf, Lincoln, IL~

The Changed Prayer http://www.mountainwings.com/past/5154.htm