I guess yesterday's post was a bit of a downer. It truly didn't start out that way, but hey--how I feel is how I feel. I guess I felt a little sad.

Today I wasn't feeling much better. Nothing really specifically wrong, just nothing really great. Typical morning, work and work some more. At lunch time I ran some errands, and in the Dollar General store was a woman who made me feel so grateful for the life that I have.

Her name is Doris. I know this, because she told me so. There was a very long line, and the checker wasn't exactly in a hurry. I was in line with my little basket of goodies--some birdseed, some M&M's, batteries, and a few little odds and ends that I was picking up Santa asked me to pick up for the boys' stockings. The little old lady in front of me had a basket with laundry detergent, hairspray, and a generic cola. She looked very tired, and not so strong. I offered to hold her basket for her, because it was obvious it was a bit too heavy. She accepted my offer and introduced herself, and then asked me if the toys in my basket were for my kids. When I told her they were she asked how old they were, and their names. Always happy to talk about the boys, I told her their ages and names and a few little tidbits about them.

She looked very sad.

She told me that her children are all grown, except for the one that died when she was 4. The other 3 are scattered across the country. They are all married and have families. She showed me their pictures. Then she told me that none of them were going to make it home for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year, because they all had to work or had other family obligations. She hasn't seen 2 of her grandchildren in nearly 3 years.

I was feeling pretty sorry for her, and I wasn't sure what to say. What do you say? Well, if you don't say anything, often folks will keep talking. And she did.

Her husband died last month. And her sister died this past July.

Then it was her turn to check out. She paid for her things, and left as I was putting my stuff on the counter. She moved pretty slow, and I had the idea that perhaps I'd catch up with her in the parking lot and at least help her the rest of the way to her car. But she got in a cab and was gone before I finished my transaction.

So, here I was, feeling a little blah about things. Little things that don't really matter in the whole scheme of things. And I have every right to feel that way, if I want to. But I don't guess I should. Because I have alot to be thankful for.

Most of my family is close (well, closer than across the country). I have 2 healthy children. I have family and friends that love me, and I will see most of them at some point during the holidays. My husband and children are alive, as are both of my brothers and both of my parents.

Of course, Doris has lived a long life. She was 80 if she was a day. I can't say what my life will be like when I'm 80. Hopefully it won't be as lonely as hers seems to be. Did I make her day any brighter by chatting with her? I'd like to think so, although it was a sad topic of conversation. But she made a difference in my life. She made me think about all that I have to be thankful for. And I'm going to do my best to remember her whenever I start feeling sorry for myself.

*thanks to Alison for finding out how to do the strikeout thing. i really appreciate you taking the time to do that for me!