LHARANGO@OWUCOMCN (Lauren Arango) (02/14/90)
Yes, Bernice, I know exactly what you mean. I often cry for the children
of the world who are innocent victims of war or famine or other horrible
situations. I think of my own two daughters, whom I love *so very much*,
and think about them in those situations. And then I think of the mothers
of the children who actually are in those situations, and I wonder how they
can stand it. I don't know if I'd be strong enough.
Back in December when we had the week of frigid temperatures here in Ohio
(it got down to -20 degrees), the water pipes froze up into my kitchen.
I had no running water in my kitchen, and had to carry my dirty dishes
into the bathroom and wash them in the bathtub (I also am probably the
only person left alive that doesn't have an automatic dishwasher in her
kitchen). It certainly was a pain in the neck (not to mention in my back,
literally!) It was also annoying to have to run to the bathroom for a
cup of water when I wanted to cook something. When I mentioned it to
people, they said, "Oh, that's *horrible*! How can you *stand* not having
water in your kitchen?" But as annoyed as I was, all I could think of
was the people in the world who have no running water coming into their
homes at all! (Of course, I also thought of those who have no homes....
but that's another topic). How could I be annoyed at having to run into
another room to bring water into the kitchen, when many people in the world
have to walk a mile or more to a well and haul it back?
Every time I found myself grumbling about having to wash the dishes in
the bathtub, I said a prayer and thanked God that we *have* dishes (and
food to put on them to get them dirty!)....and thanked Him that we were
still able to take baths and wash hair and go to the bathroom.
It certainly helps to put things in perspective.
God's peace,
Lauren