To Sweta on living conditions

[Guest guest]

Sweta wrote:

 

>> Again we share some similarities in our histories. I am also one of

"such people," raising >> a son without child support, on a very modest income.

After being raised in an upper

>> middle class environment, being pretty spoiled & never in need of

anything, more than

>> once the pendulum of my circumstances have swung towards the opposite

direction.

>> One of my siblings re-embraced me, after I moved into a dream house, in a

dream area. >> Now that as a single parent, my income is what it was 20 or

more years ago, that sibling >> very seldom responds to me.

 

>> On the other hand, my sister who has a myriad of problems, including

severe Chronic

>> Fatigue Syndrome (it IS a truely valid diagnosis, despite what some

medical professionals >> may think), who lives on disability, is the one family

member who sent gifts to either my >> son or me this year...As you know, we've

been given a lot of valuable lessons. Our

>> circumstances are truely prasad from Amma. As for our families, they're

acting out of

>> ignornace. With Amma as our Guru, we're most likely richer in the true

wealth, that lasts >> forever.

 

 

 

 

Dear Sweta ~ as always thank you so much for your openness and honesty. It

is interesting that you mention your one sister who doesn't have much to do

with you, now that your circumstances are not so grand. I have experienced the

same thing with my sister, who I have loved dearly all my life. Since my

circumstances have become "poor," she very rarely calls me or shares any of her

life with me. Before, she was calling me all the time, to share her struggles,

to share her pain, to share her changes, to ask me if I would go with her to

an AA meeting (I did), to be there for her when she was raped (I was), to

give her a place to live when she had none (I did).

 

Her husband was raised upper class, and despite their often dire economic

circumstances and him losing jobs periodically, they have both felt a need to

maintain a standard of living they can't afford. I remember one time when my

sister was particularly upset, she wanted to leave her husband. Recently, she

told me that they are barely speaking to each other. What havoc trying to have

a lifestyle that looks like the best example of a perfect home with all the

trappings.

 

And I am sorry to hear about your other sister. Chronic Fatigue is real,

very real. It is one of the chronic illnesses I have. I do know our every

circumstance is a lesson and an opportunity. Sometimes it may be hard to figure

out, but sooner or later, if we persist, we come to the kernel, the seed of the

truth that our experiences are working hard to teach us.

I pray that I have the strength to persist in continuing to seek that kernel

within.

 

Jai Ma ~ Linda