But what of daily reality? It is just the two of us now; we are the masters of our ship. Only two heads to add to the mix of choice and decision. Only two to drop the 'Hansel and Gretel' bread crumbs along the way. And yet I still yearn for simple, easy, uncomplicated. What does that look like?
I guess the flip side of that question might be what blessings of simplicity do I have in my life? Yesterday alone, between 9 and noon at work, I had 5 people come to my desk for assistance
1. A woman needed help with her electric bill. She has a prepaid set-up and had $2.00 left which she figured would last 1 more day. She had no money in reserve and didn't get paid for week.
2. A guy needed a gas voucher because he had no gas and needed to get to a job interview.
3. A mother and son were living in a motel. She had run out of funds so they had lived in her car for two days. She had found a cheaper motel (the absolute worst in the city known for it's many police visits) and wondered if we could help with funds.
4. A lady had left the shelter and rented a room ($400./mo) in a lady's house. The landlady unstable, kicked her out with 2 weeks to go and now she can't go back to the shelter. Could we help?
and the last one that morning
5. A young woman who had fast failing lungs. The doctors here could find no answers, they sent her to a team of specialists in Denver. But being low income did not allow for travel expenses. One church gave hotel money, the pregnancy center bought her a plane ticket and she was asking us for food money and taxi money.
Oh the web we weave when we think we long for the simple life! I have it…. every day, every hour. There may be things I wish I had, but they all reach beyond simplicity. Right this very minute? Here are five simplicities of my morning.
1. waking in a warm, paid for, clean home
3. coffee brewing
3. picked up paper at the end of the drive and read the day's news
4. having a hot shower
5. food available and ready to make a yummy breakfast
When I ponder what would make life 'simple' for any one of the folks who came to my desk yesterday it would be food, clothing, shelter, water, safety and health. I have it all and I head into my day simply!