Perspective Gained.

So the Osbornes have joined the new century, finally taking the plunge and signing up for DSL service through Qwest (insert oooohhh's and aaaahhhh's) This experience has been nothing short of a nightmare -- everything that could have gone wrong did, including extra service calls, more time on the phone w/ Qwest than any person should have to endure, and a near cancellation of the entire thing. The stress and frustration has been more than I can even begin to express...my life is shorter than it was a week ago because of this. Finally, today, the darn thing works like it should. We laugh out loud at the "I'm in the loop" commercials for Qwest's "lightning fast" service. But, all said and done, it is alright at 9:49 p.m. tonight.

Rewind a few hours. We went to Findley, where Kari teaches, to serve a meal tonight. Her school sits in the Birdland neighborhood, where the levee broke 2 weeks ago and many homes were flooded. Because a number of Findley students and families were impacted, some losing their homes and possessions, the staff decided to provide an impromptu meal and invite those kids and their fams. Our family went to serve food and be around. One mom walked in, saw the staff and the food provided, and wept. The principal hugged her, she ate, we sent a lot of food home with everyone who attended, and they were immensely thankful. And my heart was touched and changed a bit tonight.

I was cranked up about internet and how much this has cost us in time, money, and stress. A mile away people are cleaning river mud out of infected homes and looking at a loss of much of their possession, with little hope of being able to afford to replace it. I griped and complained about this to everyone I could. The families we met tonight were upbeat -- "We are doing alright. We have hope. It is going to be ok." Need a dose of perspective? I know I did...