At lunch today, Bob and I were talking about things here being so hard, little things we take for granted in the US of A, things I vow right now to never forget when I am back in my comfortable life in America....such as the blessing of...
#1- being able to wash more than 10 items in a washing machine and dry the items in less than 4 hours
#2- having more than 2 burners to cook on
#3- no worrying about, at any given time, power, water, gas, or internet going off....for days at a time
#4- being able to get in a car and drive to dinner, not riding on a crowded, smelly bus for over an hour to our favorite restaurant on the other side of the city
#5- being able to go in the kitchen an hour before dinner time and throw together meal, not having to go to the store daily and hope and pr-y they have hamburger meat
#6- having people hold doors for you, smile at you, just be pleasant instead of scowls, stares, and fighting to be first through a doorway or getting onto a bus
#7- using water from a faucet and not having to boil it first to keep from sickness
#8- being able to flush toilet paper, instead of having a special lidded can for it that fills quickly and is not pleasant to change
#9- not breathing dirty air that causes dry, "boogery" noses and ear gook as well as a cough that stays and stays
#10- ordering in a restaurant and knowing they will have what you have ordered, not hearing "Don't have" with no apology whatsoever
#11- not being stared at all the time and reminded you do not fit in and with many people, you are also not wanted here
#12- Vacuuming my house. Here you sweep, cold hard floors...and it can get filthy overnight. I have to sweep the entire apt 4 times a week at least.
#13- Coming home to a warm/cool house. Here you turn off heat and AC when you leave...so coming home to a 35 degree apt is not enjoyable.
#14- Toilet paper in public bathrooms. Take your own with you here.
#15- sleeping on a soft comfortable bed. When we got here I thought our bed was missing the mattress, that it was only the boxsprings....nope, that was it. We bought cheap foam to put on top....not the same.
#16-Walking on sidewalks without fear of being run over by a bike, moped, or a car....yes, cars are driven on the sidewalks and they will blow for you, the one walking on the sideWALK to move out of their way!
#17- people knowing how to wait in line, wait their turn....not cutting, just going ahead of you, pushing their way up.
#18- being able to run the heat, hair dryer, and light with out tripping the breaker
#19- being able to walk barefoot on the grass and not fear dog mess, but also human mess
#20- see churches on every corner, not hidden in apartments and stores....a freedom we need to cherish and fight to protect
I will have more later, but remember these are all real, they are all my life, and they will be many peoples lives for their whole existance.
We are blessed. Little things we do not even think about are truly blessings when you have to do without.
