Calculating Blessings

My job just recently transferred me to a new location: Downtown Chicago. At first, I was upset about the move for several reasons: catching the train to work everyday with smelly commuters didnt sound too good, leaving the mall to come to a brick and mortar store wasnt on my list of things to do and change is also something Im not too good with. Even though I was initially not too thrilled with the idea, this has become my second home. I love being in the middle of one of the greatest cities in the world..Chicago.! I run into people from many different backgrounds and all walks of life. I've met some really inspiring individuals since I've been here. The most inspirational individuals that I've run into would have to be those of the homeless community. According to thechicagoalliance.org, there are more than 77,000 homeless individuals in the city of Chicago alone. Even though that is a really huge number, its even more startling to know that this number is incorrect due to an inadaquate amount of help to serve these individuals. I am positioned on a corner where I can visible see 3 garbage cans. On a daily, almost hourly basis I watch homeless person about person dive into these garbage cans as if there are picking up items from a grocery store shelf. As often as myself and my other co-workers can, we clean out our refrigarator and gather items others stores (bakery, bagel shop) drop off and pass them out to the less fortunate. It's heartbreaking and I even cringe sometimes watching my own people barely survive through these conditions. Especially on days like today when its raining outside and no store front wants to open there doors to these individuals. I can only count my blessing and be thankful that God chose me.