I got another lesson in being grateful today.  I've been complaining alot about money lately.  I depleted my savings on dental work and most recently my nasal surgery which was supposed to be paid 100% by insurance but wasn't so I'm pretty broke.  But I got an e-mail today from a friend about another friend who is in bad shape financially.  I know she's been in trouble but I didn't know that she was planning on not having Christmas this year because she simply cannot afford it.  She is scraping to even buy milk at the supermarket, let alone toys for her 5 children!   I didn't know it was that bad.  My idea of being broke is having to make coffee at home and not indulge in dunkin donuts - now that pisses me off.  But to literally not have ANY money, luckily, I don't know what that is like.  I may not have everything I WANT, but I do have everything I NEED.  I remember my mom saying that she had two dresses to wear to school and had to re-wash them and re-wear them, they were so poor.  She quit a club she was in at school because they rotated meeting at each members house and she didn't want anyone at her house because she was so embarrassed.  My father told me how his father was so grateful as a kid to find a couple of oranges under the Christmas tree because they were so poor growing up in Holland.  Oranges!!!  Can you imagine getting oranges for Christmas and being happy?  So anyway, we're getting together and sending gift cards to her house for Walmart and such.  We're doing this anonymously because we don't want her to be embarrassed.  She's so proud.  My friend even has people sending to her house that don't even know her!  She should be okay this year.  And... I got a very nice little kick in my butt to stop whining and be grateful!  God is sooo Good, I just seem to forget that every now and then.  Happy Holidays everyone!!