A Little Pride

After finally getting back from the urologist office I took a few hours to rest my back with the heating pad. I thought seriously about taking a nap, but instead I run the broom over the floor and swept. Then I figured since I’m already up I might as well clean the ceiling fan blades and the air vents. Then I took the grill off the central air and heating unit and gave it a good cleaning. Considering the shanty house we lived in for the last ten years, it’s nice to finally have a place I can take a little pride in.  
 
Still it disheartens me to see how some of our neighbors discard cigarette butts and trash around the common areas. Even with a new maintenance person that tries to stay on top of grounds maintenance, you’d think tenants would be a little more mindful. But I am neither judge nor juror of how others' take pride in their homes. But like so many of them, at one time we were no better ourselves for the way we lived.
 
So I make no excuse for my past crimes against cleanliness. My grandparents were really no better off then I am now. Living on a fixed income especially during the recession that plagued the 1970’s. But there was a certain pride in your place and in yourself. Nothing self-inflated, but there was a certain dignity in holding your head up during tough times.

Sitting here under the really comfortable ceiling fan in my office, I watch the limbs on the pecan trees sway in the gentle wind. It reminds me how fortunate I am to finally have a place the kids don’t mind visiting. We don’t have a lot of furniture or any pictures or artwork on the wall. I don’t even have a backyard like I used to. But it feels like I’m living in a palace compared to our last few rentals. I guess the point I’m trying to make is, approach life with a bit of gratitude, remembering that things could be far worst then they are now. Take pride in yourself and live doing your best.