I have seen people on corners with every variation of "will work for food or money" signs in hand. Some claiming to be victims of what I call the "disease of the day", and others claiming to be forgotten sons of Uncle Sam who are down and out. It was the day I saw one of these folks with one of these signs standing on the corner by a 7-11 in whose window was a fairly large HELP WANTED sign, I became a true skeptic. I have experienced and heard of others who have experienced offering food which is then refused as the person wants the cash. When this happened I couldn't help but wonder if they should change their signs to "will accept cash handouts for drugs and alcohol habits".
Yes, I do know that some of the people out there are truly in need of assistance. Yes I want to help. I have thought about going to McDonalds and buying quite a few gift certificates and hand those to the people I see. I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain the drug dealer on the next corner does not accept these. I know they are not legal tender at a liquor store. Perhaps a $5 certificate will not feed a family for long, but it will at least put quite a few hamburgers and/or cheeseburgers in the bellies of a hungry family (quite a few McDonalds near me still have $0.39 hamburgers and $0.49 cheeseburgers every day or at least one day a week). I hate the idea of putting a stipulation on an act of charity, but even more I hate the idea of supporting someone's drug use or alcoholism.
This wonderfully relaxing morning was truly refreshing. I was kicking back with my best friend, drooling over Hugh and discussing such world shattering things as frogs when the phone rings. Somehow this morning I managed to get both of my healthy sons out the door with no lunch or lunch money. Guilt immediately erased all positive feelings I was having. I'm a baaaaaaaaaaaaad Mommy. I frantically scrounged up lunch money for two and rushed down to their schools (co-located fortunately) and ensured that not only did they have lunch money, but #2 son also had his previously forgotten trumpet (left by the front door as he ran out to avoid missing the bus).
Well, #1 son was still sick this morning and was kept home for the third day this week. He hasn't eaten more than a few mouthfuls of food since Saturday, and his temperature soared last night to an alarming number so we went to see the doc today. His conclusion is that #1 son either has a very severe case of Bronchitis or a very mild case on Pneumonia.
We are now stockpiled with medication, cough drops, popsicles, ice cream and comic books that will (with all luck) last until the weekend. What really SUCKS about this is that I have no more PTO time and will have to take him to work with me tomorrow and Friday. "Fortunately" a co-worker of mine has left, opening up a desk in which my son plans to camp out in with sleeping bag, pillow, comic books, cough drops and fluids.
I figure I will try to ease my guilty working mom feelings in the morning by offering to get him a chocolate milkshake and egg McMuffin for breakfast. I'm a baaaaaaaaaad Mommy.
Long night last night. Between sweaty son insisting on sleeping in my bed with me who kicked like a top league soccer player, and the fog horn coughing in his room it was a LLLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG night.
Dan slept well, that is a bonus. Hopefully it will help him to have a good day today. Of course I have to go drop off his meds at school since I forgot to give them to him this morning.
I am having a SERIOUS blonde week.