no thanks

Last week a friend of mine sent a message on Facebook asking for donations to bring back to the village that she grew up in.  She was soliciting on behalf of a family friend who had lost his leg in a car accident and was having difficulties providing for his two children.  When I saw her husband on Wednesday I gave him an envelope with some money.

On Thursday she called to thank me.  She was weeping.  She told me how grateful she was and that the money would help her to buy metal sheeting to make walls for her friend's home.  He had no walls.  My mind was reeling; he didn't even have walls.

Later that night I told SB how rotten I felt that she was thanking me so much when all I did was give what I was comfortable with giving.  It made me feel good to know that my money was going to help someone who very desperately needed help but it wasn't like I was doing anything really special.  I should be thanking my friend because she is simply amazing.  I have never seen pictures of her village but I have a feeling that it isn't exactly affluent.  She works hard in a restaurant so that she can send money home to her family.  Her difficult waitress job has helped to build a home for her father and now is building a home for a disabled friend.  She works miserable hours but rarely complains because in her mind she is living the dream.  She is married to a wonderful man who provides her with a home and support yet she doesn't want to tax him to provide for her family so she earns money for the houses while he earns money for the two of them.  I think she would warm even the Grinch's cold, black heart.