This is a story about Joe. Joe Average.
He lives in an ordinary house on an ordinary street in an ordinary town in Ohio. He has a wife and three kids, who do well in school, but they're really just an average family.
This year, Joe's wife was laid off from her job. But a month later, she had a job that paid almost as well, and let her be home when the kids got off the school bus.
Joe's car died, but he was able to find a new one that didn't strain the family budget.
Joe's wife had a suspicious mammogram, but it turned out to be nothing.
Joe's son oldest son earned enough money delivering papers to pay for his class trip to Washington. Joe's youngest son finished the vaccination series that he needed to start kindergarten. Joe's daughter had her first orchestra recital as concertmaster.
Joe developed a cold that didn't turn into pneumonia like his neighbor's did. Joe's mom didn't have to go to an eldercare facility like his co-worker's did. Joe's dad wasn't diagnosed with Alzheimer's like his best friend's was.
Joe's house needed a new roof, and he had enough money in the bank to cover the expense.
When Joe's family sat down at the Thanksgiving table, set with a huge turkey and all the trimmings, they were hungry, but out of tradition, they bowed their heads to say grace. Joe had trouble thinking of anything for which he should be grateful. After all, the family had had just an average year. Here is Joe's Thanksgiving prayer:
"Dear grand and glorious Lord, ruler of the universe and creator of all that is. You own the cattle on a thousand hills and all good things come from you. Thank you for this food. Amen."
Are you like Joe?
He lives in an ordinary house on an ordinary street in an ordinary town in Ohio. He has a wife and three kids, who do well in school, but they're really just an average family.
This year, Joe's wife was laid off from her job. But a month later, she had a job that paid almost as well, and let her be home when the kids got off the school bus.
Joe's car died, but he was able to find a new one that didn't strain the family budget.
Joe's wife had a suspicious mammogram, but it turned out to be nothing.
Joe's son oldest son earned enough money delivering papers to pay for his class trip to Washington. Joe's youngest son finished the vaccination series that he needed to start kindergarten. Joe's daughter had her first orchestra recital as concertmaster.
Joe developed a cold that didn't turn into pneumonia like his neighbor's did. Joe's mom didn't have to go to an eldercare facility like his co-worker's did. Joe's dad wasn't diagnosed with Alzheimer's like his best friend's was.
Joe's house needed a new roof, and he had enough money in the bank to cover the expense.
When Joe's family sat down at the Thanksgiving table, set with a huge turkey and all the trimmings, they were hungry, but out of tradition, they bowed their heads to say grace. Joe had trouble thinking of anything for which he should be grateful. After all, the family had had just an average year. Here is Joe's Thanksgiving prayer:
"Dear grand and glorious Lord, ruler of the universe and creator of all that is. You own the cattle on a thousand hills and all good things come from you. Thank you for this food. Amen."
Are you like Joe?
