In gratitude of the gift of warmth...
 

I am here in Vermont at quarter of 11 at night, having been canceled from my evening shift at work, which wasn't asked for but I am grateful for. And now here I am on my couch , in front of the TV with my two dogs under the comforter with me. I don't watch the news or read the papers. It is too upsetting and there's too much going on in my personal life to deal with that. That said I am not unaware or oblivious of the suffering of those less fortunate than myself. I don't have much but here I am warm. My dogs are loved well fed, and we are all cozy. But my heart reaches out to those who aren't. Who am I to complain when I sit here in the warmth of my house when they're those under cardboard boxes, or even less. There are different definitions of being rich...

Understood, but we could also all move south & not worry about this stuff anymore.

It's not as easy as that. At least for me. I've been here 36 years, and aside from any other very personal factors it is much too late for me to try to start another life somewhere else. Truth be told I love Vermont. I always have. And I always will. -20 degree temperatures are not something that I am accustomed to though. Just wanted to try to say that I'm grateful that in these cold cold times I am able to stay warm.

---------- Post added at 01:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 AM ----------

I grew up in Ohio but I moved here from the Florida Keys. My first child was born in islamorada.

Hey! I moved south and it's freezing here right now. Maybe not as extreme as it is up north, but at least up there, folks have equipment for taking care of the roads. Ours are still a sheet of ice, although we're supposed to see the low-50's today, which ought to help.

Thanks for the reminder to be grateful for the things that we so often take for granted. Snuggling up on the couch with your dogs doesn't sound like a bad way to spend a cold winter night.