Reflections on Life and its Purpose

One of my longtime friends lamented the fact that she was poor. She was frustrated and tired of always having to struggle just to make ends meet. She missed not being able to do some of the things she'd been able to do when she had some money. I can relate. I do miss not having to worry about whether or not I can afford to eat or if I'll have a roof over my head tomorrow.

The economy has been terrible for so long that it's really hard to accept when a small glimmer of light breaks through. Yet I have seen it. I've gotten more face time with more employers in the past month and a half than I've gotten in the past six months! I know for a fact that I have gotten more overall interviews in the past year and a half than I've gotten in a long time. I attribute this to the fact that in some ways the economy is improving. I know that there are many factors that have blocked me from gaining sustainable work. The fact that employers are calling me up even with these factors in place does tell me that the market is improving.

Yes, I am poor in some ways. I struggle with finances and worry about things I probably shouldn't worry about at all. Yet I do have friends and family that really do care about me. The testament of this care is the very much needed funds I received so I could pay some bills and the IRS. The beautiful bouquet that graced the table with my father's ashes touched me deeply. I was also blessed by the lovely plant.

I know that I touched people's lives. I know that the Lord has given me a purpose and a calling. Right now it is to do what I can to save historic buildings from demolition. By saving these buildings and repurposing them for a new use, I am in a small way revitalizing the community. I think my father would be proud of me for taking this on. He was very much a crusader himself, fighting for the rights of the taxpayers who were facing ever-increasing property taxes. He had some good ideas about healthcare reform too. Unfortunately, he fell ill before he could implement them.

Yet I can't help thinking that he did make an impact with the teacher pension issue. The battle isn't over as others have stepped in to fight. My battle isn't his though. My calling is different. I'm fighting the battle over historic preservation and open space.