Dear Dr. Laura,

As a long time listener, I have heard you mention time and again the power of perspective but I did not truly get it until today.

We lost my 10 year old son for about a half an hour this weekend at our town's crowded Christmas tree lighting ceremony. I have never been so terrified and heartsick in my life!

As I was folding the family laundry this morning, I thought to myself how thankful I was to be folding his pajamas because that meant he slept home last night safe and sound. I will never complain about doing laundry again because I got a glimpse this weekend into a life without having to do his laundry and it was beyond devastating.

I am writing this email as I am waiting home for a friend to come over who lost her house in a fire last week so I can do her laundry and help her with her Christmas cards.

I no longer have the urge to complain about the "chore" of getting the house decorated for Christmas. I will no longer complain about the piles of pictures I have that need organizing into photo albums. Perspective is powerful. Perspective is everything.

Thank you for all you do,

Ariana