perspective from the perpetual student

Are you madly rushing around looking for the perfect gift, the best sale, the greenest tree? Are you trying to figure out how to stretch your budget to include just one more have to have item your child just has to have? I was doing that just yesterday. But, today I found someone I know in tears because a family member was ill, had been ill in fact for a long time. This time there may not be a miracle, and no amount of money, or praying or wishing may matter. I found myself feeling very ashamed at how frivolous my worries had been. This year I have a warm home, food in the cupboard and my family is fairly healthy. My cousin recently had a quadruple by-pass at age 42, due to a genetic issue, but for the most part we have come through the year in good shape. I think I am done shopping this year-we have everything we need, everything that's most important and I am very grateful.