much to be thankful for

for many of us, yesterday was Thanksgiving Day, a day we (supposedly) gave thanks for the blessings of life. for too many, it's become little more than a day to watch football, pig out on turkey and dressing, and maybe contemplate what sales we'll try to take advantage of the next day. we forget that there are many in this world far worse off than any of us, and many of those here in our own country. it's a shame that in the greatest, wealthiest nation on earth, so many of our fellow Americans go hungry, or lack proper shelter or medical care... but they do.

i spent a week in central Idaho last summer, relaxing and getting away from the urban rat race of life in the Seattle area. while there, i saw this... hut?... alongside an old dirt road. someone lives here... i don't know who or why, but i can't imagine what it would be like to live, literally, in a hole in the side of a hill with nothing but a few shabby boards and some junk between you and the elements. it gets cold here in winter, well below zero at night, and there's lots of snow. can you imagine what it would be like to live in this place in the middle of January?? the nearest town is miles away... there's no electricity, no phone... what if you got sick, or hurt?

so... i don't know about anyone else, but i am VERY thankful for the blessings i've been given - a safe, warm place to live, plenty of good food for my family, and a job that earns me enough money to pay for the things i need (and even a few things i don't!). and whenever i start feeling sorry for myself, or thinking i don't have enough, i look at this photo... and i am reminded that there are many to whom my modest, sort of middle-class lifestyle is merely a distant dream - or perhaps a faded memory. kinda keeps things in perspective... like the old saying goes, "i used to complain because i had no shoes - until i met a man who had no feet..."

nice picture - the story puts things into perspective

we take too much fro granted

So True! Thanks for posting.

Nice shot. It's a shame that today, even in western countries, there is still such an extreme contrast in wealth.

Thank the people we all vote for. Appreciate this shot.

nice shot, ya gotta wonder what would happen to someone to make them live like this..is it a money thing? is it just someone "getting away from it all" is it someone with some mental problem? Is it more like a "Homless" people crash spot? Id be interested in the story as to who, why and what... I know in and around the city, lots of the homeless people we see have some sorta mental disorder and no one to look after or care for them so they are on the street, then there are the druggies and alkies and then just the ones who dont wanna be part of society and want to just do it their way.. and then the familys who are truly down and out.. Living day by day, hand to mouth. its a sad, sad world out there..

It can be by choice. We used to live right next to a church and I talked with the pastor all the time. He'd get three or more homeless people drop by a week. He said over 85% of them wanted to stay homeless and would not take advantage of the help he could offer to get them started in mainstream society by getting jobs, clothing and a place to live. Just because we think it's a horrible way to live doesn't mean they do.

thats what I mean, there are some who choose to live that way.. dunno why but they do! And it seems they are the ones who wont take charity and such... Hmmm...

We have a couple of homeless guys in our community that have been roaming the streets for 30 years. When the weather gets ugly, they find large cardboard boxes to live it. Now they have been offered jobs and shelter many times but they prefer their homeless lifestyle. If I photographed them and posted them as Homeless, one would generally take pity on them. But it's their choice. I dunno why since I can't understand it myself, but hey, that's the way it is.