C
ClearWater
Guest
I live in Mexico, and we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, here, but I had something interesting happen that I thought deserved mention.
Much of the time, because I’m a spoiled American, I came to Mexico and would complain up and down about the living conditions here, and admittedly, it’s not always easy living here. I once saw someone here, a number of years back, stitched up with NO anesthesia and I admit I nearly fainted, had to leave the room. Often, we lack the basics others would normally take for granted, such things as toilet paper in our bathrooms, even at the hospital!
I have gone out of my way to tutor people how to read and write, here, even in SPANISH. Yes, I’ve know lots of people who can’t read, write. I’ll ask, “Do you know how to read?” I might hear something back like, “No…but I can sign my name!” or “I taught myself my alphabet!” and be proud about that!
I have worked in different places. I have deliberately tried to work with some of the poorest of the poor. I’ve had times I’ve worked where there is no bathroom. I remember once asking to use the bathroom and being told, “Anywhere out there would be fine”!!!
I’ve worked in places where they don’t have beds, sleep on the ground…dirt floor, where they cook over a fire, where it leaks when it rains. They sometimes don’t have clean water.
I presently work where they have a tarp, plastic as their “roof”. In one of my students’ families, I am pretty sure some are into prostitution.
I have complained and complained and complained…about the long lines for confession, the inefficiency and disorganization, unreliable mail system, and much more.
Yesterday, I talked to someone, on the forum, who was from a Muslim country. He was saying how he had converted to Catholicism. I asked if he was penalized in anyway for doing so. He said he already was, that he had been 25 years away, that he couldn’t return now, not even to attend his parents’ funeral when they die!
Now, I have 2 surgeries coming up, in the third world. I’ve had 3 here, before, and more in the US. Now, I’ve looked at the person who has NO priest, NO sacraments and think…“I’d much rather have constant surgeries than live without a priest or the sacraments!”
Also, I saw how I was complaining about the organization I work for, my students, all kinds of inconveniences. Other countries don’t even have these organizations! Others would LOVE to have even some of my problems, switch places with me!
I’m not starving. I have sometimes gone to a nutritionist, since I have so much food, I can overeat!
I’m not in a state that’s at war.
I have a wonderful education. I have a disability, but help with medical and the rest. Basically, I want for NOTHING!
I am even more appreciative of the Catholic Answers Forum! I realize that some countries don’t allow any kind of freedom of religion!.
I complained at times about my family. How lucky I am to have one, though! I’ve complained about maybe food, ditto! I’ve complained about my volunteer work…again…I’m lucky to have had work that gives my life a sense of purpose!
After talking to the guy on the forum from the Muslim country, I actually cried at my ingratitude. I thought my STUDENTS were ungrateful.** I** am ungrateful!
So, the timing is incredible. I have learned this lesson just in time for tomorrow.
What I’ve learned is that I need to STOP all this complaining and realize that I am VERY lucky, that were I compared to most of the world, I would be on the top of it!
I see that what I’m most grateful is for being able to live in a Catholic country, having been raised by Catholic parents, and having my faith.
I will pray for those who haven’t been as lucky as I have been and for the rest who don’t realize how good they have it, that they may begin to realize all they have, and be grateful.
God bless!
Much of the time, because I’m a spoiled American, I came to Mexico and would complain up and down about the living conditions here, and admittedly, it’s not always easy living here. I once saw someone here, a number of years back, stitched up with NO anesthesia and I admit I nearly fainted, had to leave the room. Often, we lack the basics others would normally take for granted, such things as toilet paper in our bathrooms, even at the hospital!
I have gone out of my way to tutor people how to read and write, here, even in SPANISH. Yes, I’ve know lots of people who can’t read, write. I’ll ask, “Do you know how to read?” I might hear something back like, “No…but I can sign my name!” or “I taught myself my alphabet!” and be proud about that!
I have worked in different places. I have deliberately tried to work with some of the poorest of the poor. I’ve had times I’ve worked where there is no bathroom. I remember once asking to use the bathroom and being told, “Anywhere out there would be fine”!!!
I’ve worked in places where they don’t have beds, sleep on the ground…dirt floor, where they cook over a fire, where it leaks when it rains. They sometimes don’t have clean water.
I presently work where they have a tarp, plastic as their “roof”. In one of my students’ families, I am pretty sure some are into prostitution.
I have complained and complained and complained…about the long lines for confession, the inefficiency and disorganization, unreliable mail system, and much more.
Yesterday, I talked to someone, on the forum, who was from a Muslim country. He was saying how he had converted to Catholicism. I asked if he was penalized in anyway for doing so. He said he already was, that he had been 25 years away, that he couldn’t return now, not even to attend his parents’ funeral when they die!
Now, I have 2 surgeries coming up, in the third world. I’ve had 3 here, before, and more in the US. Now, I’ve looked at the person who has NO priest, NO sacraments and think…“I’d much rather have constant surgeries than live without a priest or the sacraments!”
Also, I saw how I was complaining about the organization I work for, my students, all kinds of inconveniences. Other countries don’t even have these organizations! Others would LOVE to have even some of my problems, switch places with me!
I’m not starving. I have sometimes gone to a nutritionist, since I have so much food, I can overeat!
I’m not in a state that’s at war.
I have a wonderful education. I have a disability, but help with medical and the rest. Basically, I want for NOTHING!
I am even more appreciative of the Catholic Answers Forum! I realize that some countries don’t allow any kind of freedom of religion!.
I complained at times about my family. How lucky I am to have one, though! I’ve complained about maybe food, ditto! I’ve complained about my volunteer work…again…I’m lucky to have had work that gives my life a sense of purpose!
After talking to the guy on the forum from the Muslim country, I actually cried at my ingratitude. I thought my STUDENTS were ungrateful.** I** am ungrateful!
So, the timing is incredible. I have learned this lesson just in time for tomorrow.
What I’ve learned is that I need to STOP all this complaining and realize that I am VERY lucky, that were I compared to most of the world, I would be on the top of it!
I see that what I’m most grateful is for being able to live in a Catholic country, having been raised by Catholic parents, and having my faith.
I will pray for those who haven’t been as lucky as I have been and for the rest who don’t realize how good they have it, that they may begin to realize all they have, and be grateful.
God bless!
. Many of us have so much to be grateful for, if we pause to reflect - which is what Thanksgiving is all about.