Forgetting

By Lori

Last night, a fellow mom and I stood talking in the cold, comparing the recent stomach bugs our kids have had. As we walked toward our cars, she said, "Keep warm!" I responded, "You too!" without a thought.

Her next words made me stop, though. "We're really having to fight for that. Our mobile home has holes all in the skirting, and the wind just whooshes right under there and up into the house."

It was then I realized I'd overheard a conversation about her recently, in which folks were trying to convince her to stay with family for a few days. Apparently the propane keeps going out, and she and her son wake to a below-freezing home, one that she has problems keeping at a tolerable temperature anyway.

Despite my recent complaints of late that our house is always freezing, it's been 10 years since I actually had to worry about it. I know what it's like to huddle over a furnace, near a wood stove or radiator, hoping you'll get warm enough to get on with your morning routine. Or to wake when the heat isn't working at all, and the blankets are stiff with the cold.

But Emma's never had to do that. And with any luck, unless she's camping or otherwise roughing it somewhere, she'll never have to.

Some things I don't mind forgetting. But the reminders make me so thankful to have the life I do.

Comments

[Emily]

Amen!!!