Thanks for your post Whitie!  It reminded me of a time (boy, over 14 years ago now), I was pregnant with my youngest and had a 1, 4 and 8 year old boys, we were living in an old 2 bedroom trailer (the landlord had put a new front door on it before we moved in - the door was too short by about 6 inches so we had carpeting stuffed in that space!), this was in Michigan and it was cold this time of year.  I had found a mom's group that met in one of the town's churches (thank goodness for that group!), didn't have Al-anon at the time, we were poor, used to go to the food pantry and get government commodities to help out.  I had gone out with the boys somewhere and when I pulled into our driveway, on the front steps were 2 boxes with 4 bags of groceries in them.  I just sat there and cried.  I always remembered that time, how I had been helped in a time of need, and later in time when we could afford to we gave back to others who were in times of need.  Always grateful someone cared about us back then, and grateful when I could return the favor. 

This year has been one of ups and downs, but we've always been taken care of.  I was down to $100 in the checking account and wondering how bills would be taken care of or holidays celebrated.  My Uncle had passed away several years ago and what did I receive in the mail not so long ago?  A check for a share of the inheritance that was left to myself and my two half-brothers and a cousin.  We are having dinner at my mom's today, she insisted on buying all the food and only asked that I cook the turkey.  Well I sure can do that!  Been needing a few dressers and had gone to a thrift store with mom, saw a bedroom set in good condition, the old style made with dovetailed notching on the drawers.  Now hubby had just called his work and said "i have a drinking problem, i need help", which I had told mom about a few days before along with how I'd probably have to find a job cause I didn't know how long he'd be without a paycheck but that we should be okay for the next month (I'd already made the mortgage payment for December).  Mom decided to buy that bedroom set for us. 

There really is a lot to be thankful for in my life.  Being a single mom of 4 and living in poverty conditions taught me how to be frugal and stretch a dollar.  Taught me how to look for programs of assistance and to not be ashamed to ask for help when I needed it.  Taught me to never look down on others less fortunate than myself, as I could understand then how circumstances can change, how anyone could need help at some point in their life.  Taught me the value of getting an education so that I could find a better job and be self-supporting.  I have lived both the poverty life and the "high roller" life, and while of course I prefer not living paycheck to paycheck or in the hole, I'm not afraid of it anymore either.  HP has always seen us thru.  My life is rich indeed.

Wishing you and all our MIP family enough. 

Luv, Kis