Current Mood : Growly and unsettled
I was reading over at Fark.com about how food pantries are becoming overtaxed lately. One story got everybody stirred up - the applicant interviewed hung around until the pantry closed, because he was sooo embarrassed to ask for help. ‘I have a master's degree,' he said. ‘I shouldn't have to do this'.
This got up some people's noses. I know I'd feel a lot more sympathy towards the guy if he'd shown up when the pantry was open and dealt with his crippling embarrassment. The ‘I shouldn't' may have been out of context or misunderstood, but to me it just reeked of entitlement. My pride and my useless degree can take a backseat if Dearest and Beloved are hungry, that's fer darn sure ! And if he has all day to hang around a food pantry, why not volunteer ? Earn it, and you won't be so humiliated, Mr. Sheepskin ! I'd have been there early, before they opened, ask if I could work out a trade - I help for the day, I get a bag of groceries when they close up shop. If they didn't need my help, but I sill needed the food, I'd make friends and talk to the other folks in line. I might learn something about using rice and beans and economic cooking. And I can always use a new friend. Social class to the nethers ! Hunger is hunger, and pride isn't a part of it.
Suffice to say, the story's been bugging me. Especially since tomorrow's Thanksgiving. I'm all excited about a pattern sale Friday, too. But how easily it can all vanish...
Unsettling thoughts. But they may keep me in a better mood tomorrow. Gratitude is a rare thing, and I need more of it these days.
