Do you know Jen? She blogged for a long time at a site whose name will not be mentioned, because she unfortunately ad-han an-ay alker-stay and she doesn’t want that to become a problem again. She’s blogging now at The Trephine and I am so very happy she is. Jen writes with humor and clarity and directness on a variety of topics—divorce, roller derby, veganism—and whatever the topic, she makes me think.

Her most recent post is about her experience during the past year with being poor, poor enough that she was worried about paying rent and changing her oil and buying food, and how she hopes the experience stays with her because it taught her empathy. I loved this:

“No matter your situation, happy holidays to you. If things are hard, I hope they get better soon. If things are better, I hope you share the wealth. If you have nothing else to give, at least be kind to the person bagging your groceries or waiting your table. None of us want to admit it, but we have at least occasionally thought to ourselves that the unprofessional, sullen woman filing her nails behind the counter for nine dollars an hour deserves to be where she is. Even if she does––even if the different strata the two of you exist in really are separated by a cushion consisting entirely of your merit as a person, which is so beyond debatable that it’s laughable to even contemplate––your life is likely infinitely better than hers, and you can afford a little patience and a little grace.”