Grateful.

You know those tourist information centers that you see on sides of highways?

I had to volunteer at one yesterday. As part of Tourism Week in my state, I passed out literature and brochures about traveling around the area.

You're probably thinking it was a giant snooze fest. And part of it was. But let me just tell y'all what: It was a lesson for me.

Three-fourths of the people walking into that info center looked like they didn't have enough money to afford lunch. My heart just broke watching a family of four come in asking if we had any information on the zoo.

None of them had taken showers that day or even had on clean clothes. I teared up a bit as I heard them ask the front desk for coupons. I had several at my booth.

I walked over and gave them a handful. You would have thought I was handing them gold. Thanking me up and down.

Still, a piece of me felt it wasn't enough. A piece of me wanted to give them every bit of cash I had in my wallet. And I would have given them my clothes, too, if I thought that would do any good. I just felt so helpless.

Those parents wanted so badly to show their kids a good time. I hoped I could help them do that.

After the family left, I thought about how blessed I am. A great education. A fabulous apartment. Money for necessities and a little left over for amenities. A steady job. Clean clothes and running water. These people probably didn't know half of what it was like to live as I do.

I am so grateful for the gifts I've been given in my life.