Faith in humanity.

I have two pet rats, and one of them is rather sickly. I've been very poor since I walked off of my horrible job a few weeks ago, especially since I was poor before I walked off. I found out that my student loan money will be coming in next week, so I took my two boys to the vet.

I quite like taking my rats to the vet, mainly because I meet very interesting people and animals in the waiting room. The first time I went, I met a lady with a duffel bag full of rats. I've met two different people with chickens. I met a parrot who called me "baby" and winked -- at least she appeared to be winking.

Today there was a man there with his two children, a boy and a girl. They were just stopping by to get food for their bird, and the boy wanted to talk to the vet to ask him a question. The vet came forward and started talking to the boy. The little boy asked the vet if he knew of any good organizations that helped hamsters. The vet gave him the name of a local animal shelter that frequently takes in rodents and other exotic pets. The boy said that he was having a birthday party soon, and instead of presents, he wanted to ask his friends to donate money to a charity or shelter that would help hamsters. How f'n cute is that?!

I am single and I am not a parent, but I have a small home and a lot of clutter. I have often thought how awful it would be around Christmas and birthdays for families with children just because of the sheer volume of toys and other items that just take up a lot of space and are a waste of money. There are garage sales everywhere, overflowing thrift stores, yet somehow we always find ways to buy, buy, buy more stuff. I hate our consumerist society, though I'm just as guilty as anyone else -- in some cases, more so.

This boy has given me a little more faith in humanity, though. He was probably nine or ten and understood the value of helping those in need...even if they're hamsters! I'm sure to some extent he was coached by his parents, but I think they're doing a good job. Of course kids should get presents, but there is far too much value placed on material nonsense.

I was a wealthy child and am a poor adult, and it's funny how I've learned so much more out of life from my "failures" than I would have had I achieved "success."