Altruistic Recession

Dearest Josalyn,

Our family has truly enjoyed sponsoring you over the past three years.  Receiving your letters and knowing that you and your villagers finally expect adequate food, minimal education, annual medical care, and decontaminated water at least five times out of seven truly warms our hearts back here in the States.  We hope your brother has recovered from that bought of cholera and you enjoyed the pencils that we sent you as a birthday present (surprise!). 

Unfortunately, as I’m sure you’ve heard, times are pretty hard back here, and while we both have solid, well-paying jobs with retirement benefits, I just don’t think that we can swing the $36 each month anymore.  That is to say, we really enjoy our Starbucks coffee every weekend, and our son will not rest until we buy him those concert tickets as a Christmas present.  As we know you understand, we just can’t give those things up, but we did try to buy off-brand oatmeal, butter, and bread for awhile.  Times are just too hard, and we can’t sacrifice any more. 

Sometimes, dear child, people get all up in arms about this issue.  In fact, our preacher last Sunday (on top of asking us to tithe) suggested that everyone in this congregation had something they could give up in order to help other people.  He then had the audacity to request that week give up our precious family movie trips, our Friday-night Mexican food runs, our new clothing, our electronic leisure activities, and even some of our Christmas presents.  How out of touch with the world–with global crises! 

Josalyn, we will not abandon you.  Perhaps when the stock market goes up a few points we can finally afford to focus on someone other than ourselves.

All the best,

The Richardsons