I'm not sure how this is going to actually sound outloud (so to speak) but I was visiting with some dear new friends last night. They asked me about Brazil and it brought up a lot of tender feelings that I've been thinking about recently. Although it's a world away from us now, it really wasn't all that long ago when I was thinking about things like this and experiences like this.
And I had really strong feelings about things like this. And I said I'd never forget. Then I came "home". To a house. With a lot more space. With a lot more yard. In a comfortable neighborhood. With a lot of things to do. And less time to think about so much of what I learned in another place and time. So I start to forget. And it makes me angry. Angry when I get wrapped up in my new little world. Angry when I complain. Angry when I get lazy. Angry when I get complacent. Angry when I find myself comparing my house and my "things" to the beautiful homes around me. Despite the current state of the economy, Americans had a lot. Even Americans who don't have a lot, have...well, a lot. I never want to forget. I never want my kids to forget.Sunday, February 01, 2009
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11 comments:
I don't blame you for not wanting to forget about such tender experiences. Maybe you could put it in a photobook/coffee table book to keep some of the memories out in the open.
Reading your blog brought a few tears to my eyes. Not being a sentimental person by nature that is saying something! I miss you guys!! Your family is so cute and you make me homesick for Wymount. Why did we want to get out of there so badly? It was such a special little place. I'm glad you are all doing well. Send me an email when you get a chance and I'll give you and update on our lives--I'm not a blogger. (chastenanderic@yahoo.com) Keep in touch!
Chasten
Wow, I was thinking this same thing today. I was reading the January Ensign and I came across an article called, "Water Project Provides More than just Water." It was about a Kenya Village that the Church helped dig a well so that they could have water in their village. The people had to help dig the well. Before they had this well, the people from the village had to travel 30 kilometers just to get their water EVERYDAY from a CONTAMINATED river. Children also had to help get water which means they didn't have time for school, and the people didn't have a lot of time to spend with family. These people from the village danced and cried when they had a well. They were so happy and thankful! We are so dang spoiled and don't even realize it. I often feel sorry for myself with all that has happened because of Grant's illness, and I get in this "life is so hard and so unfair mode." Dang I have nothing to complain about. I have it so good compared to so many people in this world! We are so blessed and spoiled in this country. When is the last time I had to walk a long way to get my own daily contaminated water? When did I have to spend time digging a well just so I could have water? And I complain when I have to do the dishes or have to spend time doing tons of laundry? I am angry with myself too! Wow, I am so blessed and need to be more grateful. I really wish my children and I could have a "Brazil" experience or experience some other place so that we could truly be grateful for what we have. WE HAVE SOOOO MUCH! And soo much to be grateful for. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. You are awesome!
Thanks for sharing this.
Mare, I love you!
OK, Mary...our quest is to not forget those things. We will just try and keep each other in check when we get all wrapped up in all the "stuff". Deal?
It's so true. We really do have so much to be grateful for. Thank you for your post and thanks for sharing your feelings and many adventures.
Love that you you have such a deep perspective and that you remember what many people forget, to be grateful!
wow Mary. That was heartfelt! I struggle with those kinds of feelings everyday, but that's why we have the spirit. Everything you wrote was a reminder not to forget and to be grateful and so you won't :) I was working on a family motto and really couldn't get past Be grateful. It just kept coming to mind because I know we do the same thing, but I know how much we have and yet it's amazing how quickly we forget. I thought it we had a family motto that we said every week before FHE that would help us remember! You're an awesome mom Mary!
Thanks for sharing that, Mary. I read the other posts that you made (I didn't start following your blog until August 2008, so I missed them the first time you posted.) It really helps me realize just how good we have it. I never thought about those kind of experiences that you would have in another country, like dishes, laundry, and getting someone to do something for you issues. Or how my kids forgetting to put away their "annoying" toys is a blessing. Well, I'm going to go and clean my nice, big, warm blessing using my blessings (there's always dishes and laundry to do)!
we all won the lottery, didn't we. let's hope the work never ends.
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