Oh, yeah. Of course I got those other things too. The "Manager's Special" Agnus pound of beef marked down to $2.45 if I could use it or freeze it before two days from now (it's in the freezer). And that bottle of ALL laundry detergent that was marked down to $3.99 and someone blessedly left a $1 off coupon next to it, expiring today. I mean, come on. How could I not?
But I went in with a list. A list I wrote out when I got to work today a half hour before I was supposed to be there. I wrote it, folded it, put it in my back pocket so I would not forget anything.
Yep. Forgot that it was in my back pocket.
But I remembered the toothpaste. And the butter. And the tampons (sorry, men. it is what it is). And I got back home, carried all those horribly flimsy plastic bags from my trunk to my home no less than three trips (the only downfall of living "upstairs") and emptied them, actually looking for The Thing I forgot.
I always forget something.
But I didn't today.
Hmmm.
The other thing that occurred to me as I was taking those tiny messed up little stairs from my car to my apartment was: wow. I have food.
Silly, right?
But it actually occurred to me: Wow. I actually had the ability to go out and get food today. And I had a vehicle that enabled me to do it. And a home of my own I could bring it all into even! Woah. With appliances and electricity that makes it all possible. And I was happy about all those "little" things.
I don't think it's wrong that we get jealous now and again about others we know. They might have privileges or job benefits or a better car or prettier shoes or a more supportive family or lots of money in their savings accounts. I think it's okay to feel a twinge of jealousy about something you don't have.
But only if you recognize what you DO have.
Do I have matching furniture? No. But I have comfortable pieces a friend gifted me with. Do I own my home? Nope. But I love coming home to where I live every day and it's a place that's warm, comfortable and mine. Do I drive a fancy car? Heck no. But it's reliable, affordable (American made yo!) and enables me to go to my job, to visit my friends, and most of all? Gives me an escape if I need it. I can nap in it during my lunch hour (and I have!), I can loan it to a friend (absolutely I have!) and get me from Point A to B when a loved one needs me.
Can I go on fancy vacations? Nope. But can I go on memorable ones? Yep. Can I afford fancy restaurant outings on the weekends? Nope. But do I have clean water and healthy food and can mix up something for friends to eat or drink who can come by? Yes. Am I wearing the latest fashions? Heck no. Because that's not important anymore. Oh, it was back in the day (and another story for another day). But now I think my friends are just happy I'm clothed, no matter what I'm in. ;-)
And that's a verra, verra fine feeling indeed. :-)
