This weekend I found out that my cousin Rob and his wife Carol have lost their home in foreclosure. They have three children, two dogs, a parrot and according to their bank statement they have $45.00 in the bank. They are now living in a homeless shelter until they can save enough money to get a place of their own.
This is breaking my heart, folks.
I want to "fix" this difficult situation because I am a "fixer". I want to wave my magic wand and make everything better if only for the kids sake. They would have their own bedrooms, toys and most of all their pets back. Their children would be back in school with their friends and eating home cooked meals instead of standing in a food line.
ARRGH!
I understand that children are resilient and this experience will teach them how to solve problems and make decisions. Hopefully it will help them deal effectively with both success and failure while encouraging self-discipline, self-control, and responsibility. I know it will promote compassion and interpersonal skills making them better adults in the future.
Still it is a hard lesson for their kids because they have no control over what happens to them. **sniff**
******
While walking down the street one day a US
senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St.
Peter at the entrance.
'Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter.
'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We
seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so
we're not sure what to do with you.'
'No problem, just let me in,' says
the senator.
'Well, I'd like to, but I have orders
from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day
in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to
spend eternity.'
'Really, I've made up my mind. I want
to be in heaven,' says the senator.
'I'm sorry, but we have our
rules.'
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the
elevator and he goes down,, to hell. The doors open and he
finds himself in the middle of a green golf Course. In the
distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all
his Friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress.
They run to greet him, shake his Hand, and reminisce about
the good times they had while getting rich at the Expense of
the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then
dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a
very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling
jokes. They are having such a good time that before he
Realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and
waves while the elevator rises ...
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door
reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
'Now it's time to visit heaven.'
So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a
group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing
the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he
realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter
returns. 'Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and
another in heaven. Now choose Your eternity.'
The senator reflects for a minute, then
answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I
Mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be
better off in hell.'
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and
he goes down, down, down to hell.
Now the doors of the elevator open and
he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste
and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags,
picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more
trash falls from above...
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm
around his shoulder. 'I don't understand,'
stammers the senator. 'Yesterday I was here and there
Was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and
caviar, drank Champagne , and danced and had a great time.
Now there's just a wasteland full Of garbage and my
friends look miserable. What happened?'
The devil looks at him, smiles and
says.......
'Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you
voted.'
******
RIP
You will be missed.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and as always comments are appreciated.
Labels: family, misc
N Posted by Rain at 9/16/2008 01:29:00 AM
This weekend I found out that my cousin Rob and his wife Carol have lost their home in foreclosure. They have three children, two dogs, a parrot and according to their bank statement they have $45.00 in the bank. They are now living in a homeless shelter until they can save enough money to get a place of their own.
,
