Somebody Gave Me a Huge Ham

That thing will last nearly a week (w/appropriate handling of course!) And I'll make pies and freeze them for some other time. It's embarrassing that the locals know how bad things are, but I am touched by their kindness. I actually cried w/happiness in front of that woman. How embarrassing! I was once their State Rep. and now I've turned into a charity case. Am I wrong to feel ashamed?

Did you want them to feel ashamed?

You should feel the same way you wanted others to feel when they needed you and you helped them.

What goes around comes around, Missy! :hug:

Redstone

Coming from you, that means a lot

Happy Holidays to you and yours :hug:

Your words make sense but it's still hard. I've never been on this end and I've been through some tough times as a single mom. With no help I made it then...

You'll surprise yourself, one day, when you look back on all the crap you put up with and survived and conquered.

Trust me on that one, and I am so glad to know that people are there for you as they have been for me so many times.

One day, you'll be stronger and you will be there for someone else. Life is funny that way.


Merry Christmas Maine Mary! :toast:

Whenever my life has taken a step backwards there's always been this feeling that I'm above my current circumstances. This feeling has helped motivate me to do better for myself, not monetarily but to strive to find my right place in the world.

I am glad you have people there who will recognize your needs regardless of how you feel and do what they can to fulfill them.

Check your PM

Teena

they haven't forgotten. Take the ham not as charity, but as the highest of compliments.

The giver is thinking:

"Eh, circumstances change, shit happens, I see someone who needs something, time to step in."

Thank him, but then don't give it another thought. He or she knows for a fact you'd do the same if the situation were reversed. That's what community is about.

I hope this helps. It's weird for anyone who is used to be self-sufficient. But it is OK.

You are someone who is loved and remembered and in being loved and remembered people are taking the opportunity to give back :hug:

I'm glad you've received, some day you will pay it forward.

merry Christmas Maine Mary!

You served your state well. People remember that.

:hug:

RL

Imagine my surprise when I saw it was actually about food.

Did you get six to eight inches for Christmas, Mary?

I've never had to accept charity in my life, but my circumstances changed and I found myself in food distribution lines and taking the hot meals offered by the charity meal trucks and wearing hand me downs and accepting the gifts and help offered by many DUers. I hated standing in lines to wait on relief checks from the red cross and the salvation army -- I've used food stamps for the first time in my life and wanted to crawl under my chair as I waited to sign up for them.

It is hard, very hard to not let my pride get in the way.

So I can relate to what you are saying, what you are feeling. It is very hard to admit to the need let alone accept the charity.

But a very wise friend told me that the gifts of charity are not for me alone, they are for the giver ... so that the giver can feel like they are making a difference in the world or that they are helping a friend in time of need just as they hope the friend will help them and maybe just to say thanks for being a friend.

Wishing you good things and peaceful days and a Merry Christmas.

:thumbsup:

No need to feel ashamed at all. Not just because you've made pies and things either; it is a human thing to do; share...

:hug:

Love and Prayers Friend....:hug:

I hope you're having a merry one, Maine Mary!