It’s that time of year again. The time when I usually start to get overly happy. This year tho, It seems a little different. I just haven’t been able to grasp that Holiday feeling I usually treasure.
Why? Simply put, we need money, and lots of it… Like every other person in the world! It seems no matter how hard I try to get ahead, I just can’t seem to get my head above water. It seems like I’m always working, but we still don’t have enough money.
It’s not like I’m losing my home or anything. We’ve managed to stay that far ahead, so I thank God I’ve been able to retain my home. As for other things tho, they’ve been falling off one by one. First the cable then other things I’ve been used to having.
I know there are those of you reading this (all 3 of you) who think I should get off my ass and start doing something about it. Truth be known, I don’t give a crap what anyone thinks anymore. I’ve been trying as hard as I know how and we’re still in the same position.
I had an opportunity last month to do something for the people of Joplin. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I decided to do it. I volunteered for 8 days to help the building of 7 homes for 7 families and do all the concrete work at Cunningham Park. I was contacted by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition about 2 days before they needed me there. After working for 18 hours at a time and then driving home each day, I can still say it was well worth it. I only managed to lose a couple of my tools, so that was a good thing.
My family and I have been going to natural disasters for as long as I can remember. We went to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, Greensburg, Kansas after a category 5 tornado, a couple of other disasters that I barely remember and then Joplin.
My wife, Denise and I went to Joplin within 3 hours of the tornado. We were literally pulling people out of their homes with 15 minutes of our arrival. It was a pretty good feeling amid all the disaster. We probably spent 18 hours there before we went home. We ended up going home, getting our kids and going back to help with search and rescue for another 3 days. My wife and kids did great… they literally helped search for hours and hours without complaining once!
We went back to Joplin a couple more times with our Church but we ended up going our own way. They seemed a little less than enjoyable to be around, so I thought it was better that way. We stayed with them for a little while, but I’m a door-to-door kind of person, so it was probably more me than anything.
I can remember when we went to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. I had no idea where we were going. We had a name and a contact phone number from our good friend Bill Dillen, but we didn’t get in touch with the guy until we were literally miles from his house. He was the greatest host!!! He had my family and I sleeping in his air conditioned camper while he and his wife slept in their home with the windows open.
We had a trailer full of stuff when we went down there. Instead of dropping it off, we decided to go door to door again. I’m glad we did too! We got to see the faces of those who had lost everything they had ever worked for.
I remember one family in particular. As we were driving through one of the neighborhoods that had been all but wiped out, we saw a couple of small children peeking through their front window. We decided to stop and see if they needed anything. We offered the kids a few toys and then the parents came out. They got some clothes, laundry detergent and a little bit of food. I’ll never forget the look of thankfulness in the tears that fell down that man’s face! He and his whole family made our trip so very worth it.
I’m drained. I’ve given and given until I have nothing left to give. I’ve never once asked for anything in return and to be honest, getting something in return sort of defeats the purpose. I know I’ll get my reward in Heaven. I answer only to God.
I’m just wondering though, how do people see me? As the strong individual who gives and gives? Do they see me as a bottomless pit of money? Am I a good person? I know the answers, but just once… just once, it would be nice to hear someone say, “Thank you for all you’ve done, Jimmy!” Just once, it would be nice if someone asked me if I needed help. After giving thousands and thousands of dollars to help those in need, I simply wonder if anyone is there to help me and my family.
I simply have nothing left to give.
Nov
20
I Have Nothing Left To Give
It’s that time of year again. The time when I usually start to get overly happy. This year tho, It seems a little different. I just haven’t been able to grasp that Holiday feeling I usually treasure.
Why? Simply put, we need money, and lots of it… Like every other person in the world! It seems no matter how hard I try to get ahead, I just can’t seem to get my head above water. It seems like I’m always working, but we still don’t have enough money.
It’s not like I’m losing my home or anything. We’ve managed to stay that far ahead, so I thank God I’ve been able to retain my home. As for other things tho, they’ve been falling off one by one. First the cable then other things I’ve been used to having.
I know there are those of you reading this (all 3 of you) who think I should get off my ass and start doing something about it. Truth be known, I don’t give a crap what anyone thinks anymore. I’ve been trying as hard as I know how and we’re still in the same position.
I had an opportunity last month to do something for the people of Joplin. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I decided to do it. I volunteered for 8 days to help the building of 7 homes for 7 families and do all the concrete work at Cunningham Park. I was contacted by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition about 2 days before they needed me there. After working for 18 hours at a time and then driving home each day, I can still say it was well worth it. I only managed to lose a couple of my tools, so that was a good thing.
My family and I have been going to natural disasters for as long as I can remember. We went to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, Greensburg, Kansas after a category 5 tornado, a couple of other disasters that I barely remember and then Joplin.
My wife, Denise and I went to Joplin within 3 hours of the tornado. We were literally pulling people out of their homes with 15 minutes of our arrival. It was a pretty good feeling amid all the disaster. We probably spent 18 hours there before we went home. We ended up going home, getting our kids and going back to help with search and rescue for another 3 days. My wife and kids did great… they literally helped search for hours and hours without complaining once!
We went back to Joplin a couple more times with our Church but we ended up going our own way. They seemed a little less than enjoyable to be around, so I thought it was better that way. We stayed with them for a little while, but I’m a door-to-door kind of person, so it was probably more me than anything.
I can remember when we went to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. I had no idea where we were going. We had a name and a contact phone number from our good friend Bill Dillen, but we didn’t get in touch with the guy until we were literally miles from his house. He was the greatest host!!! He had my family and I sleeping in his air conditioned camper while he and his wife slept in their home with the windows open.
We had a trailer full of stuff when we went down there. Instead of dropping it off, we decided to go door to door again. I’m glad we did too! We got to see the faces of those who had lost everything they had ever worked for.
I remember one family in particular. As we were driving through one of the neighborhoods that had been all but wiped out, we saw a couple of small children peeking through their front window. We decided to stop and see if they needed anything. We offered the kids a few toys and then the parents came out. They got some clothes, laundry detergent and a little bit of food. I’ll never forget the look of thankfulness in the tears that fell down that man’s face! He and his whole family made our trip so very worth it.
I’m drained. I’ve given and given until I have nothing left to give. I’ve never once asked for anything in return and to be honest, getting something in return sort of defeats the purpose. I know I’ll get my reward in Heaven. I answer only to God.
I’m just wondering though, how do people see me? As the strong individual who gives and gives? Do they see me as a bottomless pit of money? Am I a good person? I know the answers, but just once… just once, it would be nice to hear someone say, “Thank you for all you’ve done, Jimmy!” Just once, it would be nice if someone asked me if I needed help. After giving thousands and thousands of dollars to help those in need, I simply wonder if anyone is there to help me and my family.
I simply have nothing left to give.