An amazing thing happened since last Saturday. After waking up late and opening CNN's page, an iReport subject called "Pawning off your prized possessions" hit my eye. I immediately thought how this headline hit the nail right on the head for me. "I did that', I mused. So I posted. Oy Gott what a response! Suddenly the forum of "tell us what you sold" became "tell us how it happened!" "Selling My Everything" became "Tell us your everything!"

In my wildest dreams I would never have imagined so many hits and responses, both negative and positive. There were many people that read it and saw a match to their own circumstances. Many compassionate comments from many wonderful people. Many prayers offered, good suggestions, helpful ideas, and supportive energy.

But  many people were angry. These are  wonderful people too, I'm sure, but somehow using the internet to leave a comment is so much easier than facing someone and saying it to their face. But nothing unexpected really. I'm as guilty of this as the rest. It is very easy to become defensive or offensive when your character or that of your spouse or children are questioned or attacked.

Some insisted that I share more about how this was possible. How did you come to this point? Isn't this your fault? Many assumed it was.Some assumed that we were losing our home. Others that we owned a mansion and deserved to be in trouble. A few comments pointed out that fancy vacations or cars must be the culprit in all this. Didn't you save for a rainy day? People make assumptions all the time.  Even assuming you'll get anything worthwhile out of reading anything on these posts is a stretch.

I heard "Shouldn't you stop having so many kids?" One comment suggested that I was "breeding", (yikes!) and another that I had five children! One comment even suggested that having more than two children was like signing a license to destroy the planet.  The kicker though was that I must have married a "deadbeat", and they were sure that I had said that somewhere.  I must admit, that one made me laugh, a little. My wife was not amused:)

Then there was the usual character assassination about  vocation, lifestyle, spending habits, luxury items, etc. Some suggested that I just wanted attention and for people to feel sorry for my poo poo dilema. Hardly. Speeding through the writing at the speed of light while listening to three kids fight over their next turn at Guitar Hero doesn't leave much room for such deep reflection. Others insisted I was being dishonest. Hmm??

In the end I think all these forums are great ways to see how human beings are willing to treat each other, or speak to each other when there is very little accountability. That word came up quite a bit too. But the most important thing one can see is that even in a sea of negativity there are still those who can offer a kind word, helpful suggestions, or a word of encouragement. To all those selling their possessions, hang in there. Things are always darkest before the dawn.