So very true.

I just began reading your blog and enjoy your entries.

For example, kids in the car: "Are we there yet?"

Thanks justxploring. Stop by anytime.

Aye, that is a good one. Kids in the car can be very annoying at times but away from the situation you just have to laugh.

I have a sister who hasn't worked in over 30 years. (Her husband has a good job.) I realize she has some problems with her health, but she lives in a huge home on a hill surrounded by several acres and is never happy. I'll listen for an hour if she calls me to talk about personal struggles such as family illness, battles with weight, her children, her dog or any other matter than her new, custom-built home. I've had a hard time making a living for about 2 years, so I hope this doesn't sound envious or selfish. I remember watching people drowning in New Orleans as the home was being constructed and she was complaining about the pitch of her driveway.

I think this is what the proverb is saying. When people are "carried" through life, they often have no idea how lucky they are and what many people do just to keep a roof over their heads.

There are may ways I can approach what you're saying. Actually, I'm very careful about posting personal information because you never know when someone will launch a passive aggressive attack against you. Which is probably what's happening to your sister. Based on what you're saying I'm sure there is a lot of envy, jealousy, and I hate you but I don't know why kind of attitude surrounding her and she has very little emotional support to fend off the attacks. It can be very spiritually draining on her to know that an attack to her spirit is coming one way or another and then she has to use what little energy she has left to try and fill the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of those that depend on her.

For the past several years I've been giving out calendars to friends and family to let them know 365 days a year I am with them, I love them and I appreciate them. This year I gave out calendars titled Sisters. It is absouletly beautiful and inspiring. If we had talked a little earlier I would have had an extra one to give to your sister. Maybe next year. I don't think the real issue is material with your sister.

Based on what you're saying I'm sure there is a lot of envy, jealousy, and I hate you but I don't know why kind of attitude surrounding her and she has very little emotional support to fend off the attacks.

Totally disagree, but that's okay. I am not jealous of anyone. I don't hate anyone. I was only saying that if someone doesn't have to work for the things she has, she often can't appreciate them. I was only talking about the proverb you quoted above.

Totally disagree, but that's okay. I am not jealous of anyone. I don't hate anyone. I was only saying that if someone doesn't have to work for the things she has, she often can't appreciate them. I was only talking about the proverb you quoted above.

Don't misunderstand about the envy or the jealousy. The statement was not a reflection on you at all. As a matter of fact the response was not about you. You are absolutely correct about the meaning of the proverb. But with respect to your sister, just knowing several women who have been homemakers, my mother incuded, for as many as 50 or 60 years there is always more to a situation. How often I have heard the idle chatter and gossip about women who have married successful men. One of those homemakers I mentioned earlier some 30 years ago told me, people will try and put you in a place that is comfortable for them. Time and experience has taught me not to be so rigid in my assumptions about other people no matter how much I think I know about them. Everything is not what it appears to be. Life has taught me, maybe its not that your sister is unappreciative but that she is or feels unappreciated. I respect your opinion.

Everything is not what it appears to be. Life has taught me, maybe its not that your sister is unappreciative but that she is or feels unappreciated. I respect your opinion.


Yes, I understand. In fact, this person isn't happy and is always sick. I was only responding to the proverb. I meet so many people who have never struggled to get what they possess. It doesn't mean they are bad people or bad parents (my sister brought up 2 great daughters) We are surrounded everyday by too much materialism and the simple things have lost their value.