'Tis the Season to Mendigar??

I remember my boss telling me last year that a couple of garbage collectors knocked on his door around Christmas time last year to "say Merry Christmas" and basically ask for money.  I thought it was an isolated incident.  I was here last Christmas too, but I didn't experience any of that.

So last week when I saw one of the newspaper delivery guys, (hired by the newspaper) to leave newspapers at the gates of housing compounds throughout the city, being escorted by the watchman to all of my neighbors' homes...I was a bit taken aback.  Dear Hubby gave the delivery man money and I really had a problem with it. 

Yesterday as we stopped to pay the toll on the road toward the airport, the public employee at the toll booth reminded my husband that it is Christmas (although it wasn't because yesterday was December 30th) because he wanted money.  And of course, my husband gave him extra. 

I think it is pretty bold and inappropriate to walk around demanding extra money from people that you serve [as part of your paid employment] because it is Christmas time. 

Today, during our short outing with the kiddoes, we were asked by 3 or 4 different people for money.  People that I don't think are typically begging for money any other time of the year - but perhaps, feel like 'tis the season for people to open their pockets/purses. 

And to this, I say the problem is a reflection of the temporary feeling by many in the greater society (both here in the DR and in my own beloved country) of generosity, compassion, love, and kindness that surfaces in December and retreats in January. It is true that no false sense of entitlement to other people's money is acceptable,
but it is also true that there are people in need 365 days a year and

it is definitely true that there are "invisible" people such as garbage collectors, newspaper delivery guys, and street sweepers that help make our lives comfortable and earn very little who rarely experience an expression of gratitude.

And so, I am grateful for the reminder to show appreciation to all those "invisible" people that contribute to my quality of life throughout the year.








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On the subject of BATHROOMS

In my home these days, 'tis the season for contemplating how life will inevitably change for my family next summer when we relocate to "who knows where". As such, yesterday Dear Hubby and I were pontificating about potential housing at the next post when the subject of bathrooms came up.

I mentioned that, "it's totally possible that we won't have as many bathrooms in our house next time" based on the pictures I've seen of some houses in different countries that are on my list.

Now according to Dear Hubby, he needs to to have his own bathroom to ensure complete privacy and the ability to spend endless amounts of time without being bothered by our Dear Children.

And as for me, I don't want to share a bathroom with Dear Hubby, my oldest son, or my youngest son.

Our conversation about how many bathrooms we need got me to thinking about just how spoiled we've become in less than 18 months. You see - I grew up in a home with four females and one tiny bathroom and somehow we did just fine with what we had. Dear Hubby grew up in a rural, lesser developed area and had one bathroom too to share with three siblings and two parents.

In 2005, I stayed with a host family in Xela, Guatemala and had to leave the bedroom, physically walk outside (and past a dog and for those that know me that was scary), through a door and into a standalone bathroom, flip a switch and pray the "hot" water would at least reach 60 degrees.

In 2006, I lived in a house in Lasso, Ecuador that required me to leave the room, walk outside and across a wooden board covering a "river" or drainage ditch to get to the other side of the yard and use a standalone bathroom. In that same year, I lived in Salcedo, Ecuador and although I had moved up in the world, I still had to walk outside to get into my bathroom that was attached to the outside of the kitchen. AND to top it all off, water was only available from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. so taking a late night shower or flushing the toilet in the wee hours of the night was just not possible.

Fast forward to recent years and "upscale" Fairfax County, VA living - Dear Hubby, my three children, and I shared a townhouse with 1.5 bathrooms and again - we made it just fine.

But NOWWWWW we've had a taste of the good life for a full 16 months with a bathroom in all four bedrooms, a half-bath under the stairs, and a full bath outside the pool area (don't get excited - we covered the pool) and we almost completely lost our minds and our sense of grounded reality because we just can't fathom living in a home with only 3, or even worse - 2 bathrooms.

So this post is a reminder to me to (1)remain appreciative, (2)stay grounded, and (3)keep it together as I move on, up, and around in the world.