Your Mom Not Mine

My wife, her job, and Christmas (or Hanukkah as the case may be) : The Judds' Life

I wrote this earlier today about my wife on the blog we share together. Thought I might post it here, because, well, I’m proud of her.

Jim here. I know I don’t post often, but today, I get to write something about my amazing wife and the amazing job she does.

Yesterday, after a long day for both of us, she came in from work just beaming. After further talking, it turns out she received a donation from a group of kids and their families at an elementary school for families that her organization serves. When I say donation from a group of kids, the things that come to mind are a basket of food, or some used toys. What she really got is absolutely amazing. Thousands and thousands of dollars of gifts for families who couldn’t have afforded it otherwise. And not just gifts, but thoughtful, loving gifts.

Some examples: She got not one, but 2 (yes, TWO!) dining room tables for families who’s kids are in group homes. What were these families doing before when the kids came to visit but once or twice a week? Eating dinner on the floor.

There was also a family where both parents have some health problems and wanted something they can do with their kids to help get a bit healthier and have some fun. So someone bought them a Wii and a WiiFit.

I think the thing that absolutely blows me away with all this is that these are people who have no ties to JCFS (the organization where my wife works), have no vested interest in these kids or families, and most importantly, will probably not be able to get thanked by the families (they don’t know the names of the people they are buying for). They are simply doing this out of love for others.

It kinda makes you think about all the money we’re spending on Christmas gifts for each other, doesn’t it? I read somewhere that Americans spend $450 billion at Christmas. That blows my mind. What if we took all that money and put it towards helping to feed those among us who otherwise would go hungry? Or maybe we could put it towards giving clean water to everyone in the world? I’ve heard (okay, read, lots) that it would only cost between $10 and $20 billion to make sure everyone in the world has access to clean water.

I’m not saying I’m part of the answer. In fact, I’m more a part of the problem. Buy maybe next year we can all do a little something different. Maybe buy one less gift for your mom and give one more gift to those among us who can’t even afford one gift?

I’m sure your mom wouldn’t mind too much if you explained it to her that way.

Why do Republicans hate our troops?

This is just astounding. For all the people ragging on Obama for his “not getting anything done, etc.” tenure in office, when you have to deal with Republicans who will BLOCK FUNDING TO THE TROOPS WHILE THEY’RE SERVING IN TWO WARS because they’re upset about providing health care for every American, well, you’re pretty much stuck putting out fires all the time.

My favorite part, what Thomas Schaller thinks Obama should say to them:

“You know what, for a year now I’ve tried to negotiate in good faith with my Republican counterparts, but too many of them have ceased to be people of good faith. Their threats to shut down military funding are like the government shutdown of 1995—actually worse, because these are troops fighting two wars abroad right now. Apparently, the Republicans were for the troops before they were against them. This proves they are the party that stands for nothing—absolutely nothing—other than the excercise of power for power’s sake. And they should be ashamed.”

If there’s ever been a moment to get this passed (and put the final nail in the coffin of the ridiculousness in the far right), now is that moment.