Day One - One Third Done

[Denisehyeong]

Cami's book arrived at my house yesterday afternoon. Rainy day, head cold coming on, couldn't have been better timing. Snuggled on the sofa or in bed. John fed the kids and put them to bed, while I clung to my quilt and hot cups of tea and devoured the book in one setting. Thank you for sharing your story

I am, without a doubt the least spiritual person I know. I am a very bitter ex-Catholic, long time atheist. I work another program where I am supposed to be creating a relationship with a higher power. Difficult for me at the best time. 29 Gifts I hope will be a way for me to nurture the tiny little spark inside of myself to find that HP, and make them a companion in my heart.

We are mired in debt, on going conversations with the bank to restructure our loans. Consolidated our credit debt, and over half of my wages alone go to that. We live paycheck to paycheck.

I have been having terrible dreams the last few weeks. I keep dreaming that John has bought a house without talking to me. They are large, with oddly shaped rooms, and weird features, like a hot tub in the kitchen. The previous owner has left their possessions in the house. The previous owners are always hoarders with piles of useless stuff in every cupboard, drawer, shelf. I wade through trying to make order out of chaos. I wake feeling burdened and do not feel rested.

Ok, I don't need to see a shrink to figure out these dreams. Our own house is cluttered with "stuff", we have three little kids and I swear they poop paper - drawings, math work, airplanes, lists.

Today, I'm taking the opportunity to work on my first gift. I have two bookshelves stacked with books in the boy's room. Messy, dusty, cobwebby.

I just finished taking books I do not need off the shelf, I am going to give them to the local county jail. I have about 175 books in grocery bags and boxes in my front room.

The next two thirds of the gift are for me to actually get the books to the jail, and to go back, clean the shelves and leave them empty and clean. Ready to accept things that will be used.

Nice start to my day. I'm feeling a cold coming on, but am determined to finish today.

thanks
Denise

[Pauline Nolan]

Hope you soon shift from feeling oppressed by debt - sure you will with such a great start.

[Elly Rose]

Your give to the county jail is very thoughtful. I hope that the cold doesn't get worse.

[Stacey S.]

great way to free up sopme space~

[Sheri]

What a great start! and especially with not feeling well. I am proud of you and I hope you feel better soon.