My (now ex-wife as of yesterday ....) used to say I live in a bubble. I go to work, I come home, I take care of my family. I go to work, I come home, I take care of my family. (Lather, rinse repeat.) As a result I did not see all the hard things other people go through.
That changed one day about five years ago now at Christmas time when I went to a local food pantry to make a cash donation for them to buy more food for those in need.
I was shocked at what I saw. People who looked just like me and my family going in to get food. Some had to fill out forms, others were already "registered" to receive food and others still were filling bags of staple items to give to those in need.
As I entered the building it was packed. I asked to see someone and was instructed to take a number. So I did. And I sat there and watched. And watched, and watched some more.
No one was laughing or joking, it was a sobering experience. Those receiving food looked humbled, I'd guess humiliated by the experience. I know I would be.
Eventually my number was called and I approached one of the women assisting other people. She asked for my name so I gave it to her. She looked on her list and not finding my name tried handing me some papers to fill out.
I told her she didn't understand, I'd waited almost an hour just to make a donation and proceeded to hand her a check. She looked at it, had this wonderfully surprised look on her face and thanked me profusely.
I walked out of there, got into my car and lost it. I think it was the moment in my life when I truly understood what the word "compassion" meant. I'm grateful for that experience.
So when I see others post vitriol about things like this I tend to wonder: are they just mean? Or do they live in a bubble like I used to and just need to get out of it and see what's going on outside their own world and how people who just so happen to look just like them are really suffering out there?
That is a wonderful if sobering story. I do contribute to food banks on occasion although where I live now (sort of an upper middle class enclave) there are none. Classy, not!
If you have ever walked around the food section of a Dollar Tree or Dollar Store, it is sobering as well. There but for the grace of God...
Husband and I volunteered at our Interfaith shelter to serve food (our Church volunteers as do others). I noticed all different folks from all walks of life. I saw Veterans, average Joe workers and of course the homeless. I sat and talked with some of the folks that were like me, average Joe. They fell on hard times, medical bills, sick child, one parent had to stay home, loss of that income, then main breadwinner lost his job, then car problems. He said it was humiliating to have to come here for food. He’d never taken a dime from the government and worked all his life.
So, it was an eye opener to me. Yes there are people who scam to get benefits but there are those that have never taken a dime until a life changing event causes a train wreck financially.
You sound like a good and decent man, your wife sounds like she’s thoughtful, as well.
How sad that you two couldn’t keep your marriage intact.
I liked your post...take care.
Ed