Giving New Meaning to Gratitude

As I walked out of the gym one day, I was stunned to see a tattered very old car parked by the sidewalk, stuffed with, what I would call, CRAP. The entire car was filled to the brim with papers, clothes, just STUFF. 

 I soon learned the car belonged to Jill. I recently found out that Jill had been living in the car for TWO YEARS! She now lives in a very crappy "place", but at least it havs a toilet, a shower, a microwave, and a fridge. And, a bed, I presume. 

 Jill has a teaching degree from BYU, she went on a mission, married in the temple and has three sons. She divorced her pervert husband, who told her she would never receive ONE DIME from him to help suport the three boys. She went back to teaching, and got cancer. Without insurance, she lost everything. And, thru these events, she became homeless. Her sons apparently have abandoned her, even tho she sent them on misions. (Family stories are so complicated!) 

 Then she met Patty, who has helped her get out of her car, into a place to live. Jill goes to the temple four days a week. AND, she is so grateful to be living where she lives. Patty said it a true dump, but Jill is so grateful. 

 How does one get to feel that way, when their circustances are so filled with poverty and loneliness and abandonment? It's all a matter of perspective and feeling a truly grateful heart. Which is what I want to feel every day.