Gratitude

As I woke up in my home warm and safe on this cold morning; my pantry filled with food, the house warm and cozy, I couldn't help but think about the people in the world who are less fortunate.

The eyes of poorly dressed children pressed against cardboard shanties in the snow haunt me, the face of the New York City homeless girl staring at me from the front page of the New York Times breaks my heart, the Philippino typhoon victims, the Midwest tornado victims, the Syrian man holding his lifeless child, the unemployed, the down-on-their-luck, move me.

I am mindful of the misfortune in the world. Where they walk I have been. Generous relatives have sheltered me and my family and I am always grateful.

Maria