Today I Understand

Last night I sat in the airport with a friend and colleague who had recently returned from a month long European vacation. She showed me her new bag and her new hat. And I coveted her three hundred dollar cell phone as I listened to her describe the new furniture that was about to be delivered. We talked about many things, but those were the things that stood out.

I felt envious, I felt left out, I felt TROUBLED.

How petty of me.

Today as I waited in the line of grocery shoppers stocking up on water, batteries and candles for the Impending hurricane, I felt lucky. I've been through this before and worse. I know what to buy and I have the money to buy it, I have the means of evacuation if I choose, and I don’t live in a trailer park. I thought of the tens of thousand of people living in trailer parks. I thought of the elderly who can't travel, and I thought of the less fortunate, under paid service workers who may have to choose between being with their family and loosing their job.

I felt lucky, I felt in control, I felt FORTUNATE.

A little more than a month ago, I posted this:

Fortunes
When you compare your life to another's, you invariably feel fortunate because of someone's troubles, or troubled because of someone's fortunes.

Today I finally understand what those words mean.

Comments

[debby]

I have found myself at different stages of my life, wanting more, wanting different. Other times, I feel as if I am one of the fortunate ones. I think it is just the mood du jour.... good luck with the hurricane, be safe!

[Robin P]

I have done this so many times. I see friends who have more than I do and I am so damn jealous. Then I see someone with less and I feel so lucky.
Just pick a day and I will tell you how I feel! It varies.

[tim]

I liked that - and linked it on my blog