I have my share of problems and heartache in this world

[The Straight Story]

Loves lost, a daughter who won't know me until she is 18, a son with whom I have not seen or spoken to in over 10 years, deaths of many friends.

But never, ever, have I had to sit in a hospital with a sick child.

I could write a novel about my life and the pain I have been through, especially when it comes to my daughter and her mom and her illness.

Right now, I am out of work (though may have a good paying job in 2 weeks) and getting unemployment.

Not a good looking guy, not rich. But damn.

I am seriously fucking lucky.

One thing I asked for in this life was that I never had to see one of my kids suffer through cancer/etc. And I haven't.

But others have - and are.

I cherish my weekends with my baby girl. We play our games together, I cook for her, hug her, and get to see her in her bed snuggling her little baby doll as she drifts off to sleep.

Others - they don't have the sweet life I do.

I posted this earlier:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7622051

And I hope you will respond to it and kick it - there are many others out there not so lucky as I am.

I can't be everywhere and help out others all the time, but I can -at the very least - do my part and pass along ways to help others.

While I am not always able to be there for others I am damned well able to find those that need help and pass it along.

I have it made. Sometimes I feel like the richest man in the world, because I don't have to go see my kids in the hospital.

Problems? Yeah I have them - things which hurt me personally a lot - but I would be remiss if I made it just about me and my issues.

We all have issues we have to deal with, but maybe - just maybe - dealing with our own issues starts with seeing what we have and helping those in worse situations.

You and I, we might well be in a bad situation that hurts us, but we are not alone in it all - and part of being a progressive, to me, is to reach out to others hurting.

It is about all of us working together to help one another.

To talk on lonely nights, to send cards to sick kids, to kick a thread for a fellow DU'er hurting, etc and so on.

Kindness starts with a simple action - and that simple act can translate into something wonderful.

Be a friend to someone hurting, and don't judge them based on your own life.

Just be there. Listen.

It costs nothing to listen and offer a hug, or good thought.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. You are a good man, a very good man...

My dear Straight Story...

Indeed, this is so true: It costs nothing to listen and offer a hug, or good thought.

I try to do that, too...

K&R

:hug:

[checks-n-balances]

4. My thoughts and feelings exactly.

TSS, thank you for helping us remember all the things that are important. Coming from you it carries much more credibility. You have such a big heart and thanks for being a DUer too.

It's the vulnerable ones in our society who suffer the most.

[Desertrose]

2. Kindness starts with a simple action - and that simple act can translate into something wonderful.

:hug:


:grouphug:

[Skittles]

3. I sent 120 cards to people I did not know last year

people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan - you cannot believe how uplifting a simple card from a stranger can be

[yellerpup]

5. It is good to take inventory or what you do have

and be grateful for it whatever it is. The mark of a well nourished soul is the ability to nurture others. Peace and love to you, brother. :hug: