Happy Thanksgiving

I know I'm a few days behind, but I wanted to write down this experience for Thanksgiving...

Last year, on December 23rd, I was rushing around finishing up all the holiday errands I had put off until the last minute. I was headed up to Brigham to spend Christmas with my family. As I was running around from store to store I was very conscious of my budget (as it seems I always am), wishing I had more. I wish I could give more, I wish I had more money so I wouldn't be budgeted down to the dollar, I wish I had a nicer car, etc.

I stopped at Wendy's to get a little snack for my drive. As I was pulling out of the parking lot, there was a homeless man that looked to be about my age. He was holding a sign, but I don't remember what it said. In that instant the contrast of our lives was like a slap in the face. I had a car! A car full of presents! And I was driving that car to my parent's house, full of family, love & peace, a safe haven from the rest of the world. For whatever reason, this man was standing alone, in the cold, on a corner, begging for money.

I rolled down the window, handed him the cash that was in my wallet, and barely mustered a "Merry Christmas" through my tears. I couldn't stop crying most of the way to Brigham City (it's hard to drive & cry & eat chicken nuggets FYI). I've only told the story once because I usually can't think of it without crying. Through this experience, I learned that truly, I have been blessed with so much to be thankful for. It has also taught me to live with more gratitude in my heart, & more empathy for those with less.

I also wanted to share the quote above, it's one of my favorites. Those words have popped into my head countless times this past year whenever I find myself wanting more or losing sight of all that I have.