Adjusting My Perspective in Fry's Parkinglot

We made a nice little trek down to Austin yesterday to go to the farmers market and celebrate the 3rd birthday of my cousin's twins. Great morning. I had a couple of days over the last few weeks where I was just in a funk. I missed the challenge of working (not the mess of working, just the fun, invigorating, challenging part), I felt pretty isolated and a bit lonely in our new surroundings, lacked a sense of purpose, and just needed to be more content.

I have a blessed life in so many ways, but I feel so grumbly when I get in a funk like that. I truly hate to feel that way. Yesterday, it took just a few seconds for me to refocus my thoughts and be more content. Just a few seconds for me to have more gratitude for the life I have.

We pulled into the Fry's Electronics parkinglot to kill some time before the party. Who can't leave Fry's without finding something? We got out of the car, and the sight before us stopped us in our tracks. It was a rundown, shabby, dented, worn little car. All windows were down and a chipper little dog smiled and greeted us from its perch inside. His sidekick, another tiny mutt of a dog, nuzzled his way up obviously straight from a nap. Cute little things, absolutely filthy car. With each twitch of my eye, the scene became more and more clear. On the dash: among so much other *stuff* was an open (for definitely a few days) can of dog food, partially eaten fast food, a broken hand mirror, rolled up socks, a dingy brush, and a stick of deoderant. The back held a mostly crushed box of cereal, some beat up boxes of what looked to be clothes, a dirty blanket balled up, and countless mounds of things that I couldn't really identify in such a short glance. On top of the mounds was an old, worn out doggy bed.

Someone lived in that little, super compact car.

So many things came to mind. How could I even think about feeling a little bit of discontent? Where is this person tonight? What choices did he make or what circumstances had to happen to ultimately get that person to live in his little car? Is there someone out there who cares about that person that doesn't even know about his homelessness? Why was he parked at Fry's?

Yes, Nick and I have worked hard for the life we have. But, we are so fortunate. So fortunate.