Reflection and gratitude

[Tombstone]

I was at a Target store tonight with my wife and one of my children. I saw something which caused me to reconsider my views on what matters in life and some of my past behaviors.

I saw a young woman, the woman had a child, the child was about two years old. The mother looked tired,a little stressed, and had a look of sadness on her face. The young woman had worn but clean clothes on. She obviously cared about her child by the way the child looked/cared for. The young woman was not standing in an isle, rather off to the side between racks of clothing where she was out of view to the public who was not watching her anyway. The woman was looking into her shopping cart. There was not much in the cart and what she did have in the cart she stared at and left most of it, basic items that most anyone on this site would have ample supply of. The only item she kept was some baby food.

She did not ever see me looking at her, The mother hugged her child and walked off baby food in hand.

I got angry at myself. I was wearing one of several Rolex watches I own
and this young mother could barely afford food for her baby. I think it's time for me take a step back and be thankful for what I have. Yes I worked for what I have many years of college and post grad work, gave service to our country, raised a family, and worked 80 hour weeks for so long I forgot what a day off was, but some where I have forgotten about basic human kindness.

I won't go into details but I made the situation right, and I hope to continue doing so in other areas when I can. I Wrote about this incident to bring to public view the obvious people are still suffering and many are just trying to get by one day at a time. I think of how I obsessed over my gun collection and Rolex collection (my life's little rewards) and I see something like this... And I knew I was wrong Rolex watches are great, I love them but with suffering which is all around I may need to rethink this.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.