雲卷雲舒
閑看庭前花開花落，漫觀天外雲卷雲舒
Eric一家都是金發碧眼，今年7月搬進我們在Plano的老房子，到現在4個月多一點兒。正如他的reference 說的，他是個好房客。他按時付租金，並從不為小事麻煩我們。我們每月上門收房租，都和他聊聊，慢慢的也就知道了一些他家裏的事。比如最近他太太病了，說是腎上腺癌。她動了手術後，我們帶著鮮花去家裏看望。我們心裏很同情他們。2個孩子6歲和2歲。6歲的女兒生下來就下肢殘廢，現在他太太又病了。我和老公商量說，如果他的租金遲了，不要難為他們。直到昨天，他告訴了我他的Blog地址，我看了後，真是吃驚啊。他的日子太難了。
As a landlord, 我當然知道Eric的收入。他的gross income 是$5,500/month。我們的的房租是$1，650/month。加上utility, 每月至少2000。他的信用隻有460，所以借錢是不大可能的。從他的Blog上我看到：
“Normal monthly medical expenses before all of this were $1000 a month. This is co pays for Dr appointments, medication and medical supplies. The new drugs the Dr says I have to start on will be an additional $1400 a month and we have no idea what Triann's （ - his wife ）treatment and medication will add to that. That puts med expenses at $2400/mo not including premiums.”
他上個星期的Blog寫到：
“+We are supposed to report to MD Anderson in Houston on Monday. I have been living on 6 dollars since last wed and most of the check on Friday will go to rent. I have to pay for gas, food, hotel and Dr bills next week and then hold on until the next check on the 15th.
+ My motorcycle is my main transportation, I had to park it last night until some of this clears up so I can buy a new rear tire. I picked up 5 (5?!?!) nails the first week I moved to Texas and have been watching it and airing it up as needed, yesterday it lost almost all of its air before I made it home.
+ I fired up my snow car (the car I use only for days I can't ride the bike). It has 207,000 miles on it but has always gotten me from here to there when I need it. It was out of gas, I spent the last 6 dollars to get to work this morning.
+ My annual evaluation is due at work. I have to sit down and focus long enough to write out my accomplishments for the year, my career plans, strengths and opportunities and a summary statement. All of this effects raises, promotions and bonus.
+ My wife is sick, my kids are confused, there are different people in my house every week... On and On and On”
我打算給他減一點房租（$50 to $100/month？？）。就他的情形來看，這也是杯水車薪。他的朋友們給建了個捐款的網站，我看了，目前隻有幾百塊而已。我是landlord 新手，大家說說，我還能如何幫他？這是他的Blog，有興趣的可以看看。http://emsdaddy.blogspot.com/2008/10/waiting.html
