Having this blog is cathartic. I get to "get it out" a little.
It is also a little odd to hear my husband comment on my posts. His comments have been positive, I think. He says things like, "at least you are not sugar coating things."
I feel like I have left out a lot of detail. I have left a lot out of my blog to protect the privacy of others. I have also left a lot out to protect myself.
I still have not received a certified letter yet. This is a big one that I have left out of my daily blog. His company informed us that they are no longer required to hold his position, or even any position at all since he has exhausted his FMLA.
Sigh.
They are within their legal right to let him go.
It seems as if everything is tied to this job. His life insurance, our health insurance...
Right now, we are still waiting to see if they will approve his disability claim. The disability checks are small, and we still have to write a check to the company out of that small amount to pay for the health insurance.
Even with the disability checks, we cannot possibly pay all of the bills and pay for the co-pays for hospital and doctor visits as well as medications.
It is what it is.
Right now we have food for the children and electricity. We have cancelled the basic cable and just have the basic internet now. The only reason we still have the internet is because the children need it for school.
It is what it is.
At this very moment, I am cooking a batch of Apple Butter. I plan to put this into jars to give as gifts this holiday season. Um... yeah, if you were expecting a gift from me.. guess what you are getting.
Okay, so everyone won't be getting apple butter. I am sure the girls and I can come up with a few more ideas between now and Christmas.
Sigh. Honestly, I tear up as I realize that I don't know how we will do our annual project. Every year, the girls and I have had a project. We have filled backpacks with clothes and goodies for homeless children, we have purchased a goat for a family in need in South America, we have filled boxes with Oreos and socks and things to send to troops overseas.
This year, I am at a loss. I am overwhelmed.
So, I am asking you to help.
Please.
There are local charities who need you. Contact your local chapter of Head Start to find a family who need coats or clothes or toys for winter. There are food banks who desperately need your extra canned goods and cereals. There are websites that are trustworthy to get information to donate to others. We have used Anysoldier.com and Heifer.org to donate around the world. Food for the poor also has a lot of opportunities for you to help. Children's hospital also used to allow toy donations. Call them to see if they are accepting toys this year.
If you are purchasing for homeless children through Positive Tomorrows or another organization, please purchase exactly what is written down. Often, these children do not write down toys because they really need the other items and because they have nowhere to keep their toys.
I am asking this for you also. If you have never done this, you should. It is a lesson for each of us to deliver the goods with no expectation of thanks or joy. It is a lesson for each of us to understand that it is not always like a Christmas movie. A friend of mine bawled unashamedly with me one year as we wrapped mops and sponges for a family. Yes, there were toys and clothes, but knowing that someone desperately needs your help to get cleaning supplies...is humbling.
It is a lesson.
We can all do just one more thing. Now, as I close, I will find a way to help this year. I do not like the idea of teaching my children that we "can't".
May God bless you and keep you this weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment