The year ending, it's time to do my charity donations. I pick up my pen, but instead of writing the checks, I just hold it, 1 .
Last week, two websites I wrote for said they decided to "2 cautiously for the gloomy market". Yesterday I was e-mailed from the magazine I frequently3 , saying no more articles. Although my part-time teaching helps pay the4 , I haven't got as many calls lately. To save money, the board is5 schools, meaning fewer teachers are needed.
So, can I really 6 to give to charity? Doesn't charity begin at home? My home. I could be tempted to 7 my checkbook by those thoughts, but I don't.
My house is worth less now than it was for the 8 market, but I still own it. Since I'm not looking to sell, I can wait until the economic 9 ends. My fridge isn't bursting with food, which I regularly donate, but some friends aren't as 10 . One lost six teeth because she couldn't afford 11 care while I just had one repaired. Yes, the bill 12 almost as much as the operation did, but the pain 13 soon.
Suddenly, I feel so lucky and rich that I hold my pen determinedly and write 14 . Future is unpredictable, but now I can share my good 15 with others. Charity beginning at home shouldn't stay there.
