A garden of Gratitude

(Heh, heh – this vintage picture makes me smile!)

This is the month to be mindful of our thankfulness, a wonderful idea.  I’ve been trying to set aside time each day to list my blessings.  How neat to find that paying attention to my blessings and focusing on being grateful has worked to increase my gratefulness and my blessings!  I decided to list things a little at a time, each day, and will share these as one post sometime around Thanksgiving.

I am thankful…

1. For the sense of empathy M has… his heart for poor children, hungry children, babies we know and don’t know, neighbors… and the specifics he’s able to articulate in prayer for them.  I worry about his tender heart so much, but I know that this is really a blessing and I’m learning to be thankful for it.
2. That my 5 year old “big boy” has begun taking my shirt to bed with him (like when he was a baby – does he even remember?) to snuggle with and smell as he sleeps.  That is love. 
3. For all the beautiful nature surrounding us, and for a renewed eagerness to be out in it as much as possible.
4. For good books that prove how amazing and inspirational words can be when the right person puts them together in the right way.
5. For a husband that comes home from work tired, and still finds the time to read a chapter or two of Hank, the Cowdog out loud, sometimes with only one tired eye open.  And still knows how to make us laugh at all the silly parts.
6. For being closer (not there quite yet) to making peace with the possibility that no more babies are in my future.
7. For a small house that only takes a few hours to clean.  I’m convinced God knew what he was doing because he knows how I am about cleaning.
8. For magic erasers.
9. For my new sewing table and the little sewing / mama-craft nook in our home that I finally found a way to make.
10. For forgiveness, from everyone – God, my husband, my son… everyone.
11. For glorious autumn days that help me remember to be joyful.
12. For coffee.
13. For Coke.
14. For an oven that still bakes lovely things like pumpkin bread and apple crisp even though it is ancient.
15. For routines and good habits.
16. For wisdom when I (remember to) ask for it.
17. For intuition.
18. For our neighbors and our friendly little lane.  
19. For traditions.
20. For the books we read out loud and the friends we make with the characters in them.
21. For the women I meet with every Monday morning… they have each become so important to me.
22. For friends that remember to ask about specifics in my life, showing that they are sincere in their care.
23. For such good role models as the people in numbers 22 and 23.
24. That so many people have taken a look at our Jesse Tree packet and have downloaded it or printed it to use with their families.  It feels good to share wonderful things with others and it’s humbling to think of helping someone “out there” with something our little family does.
25. For occasional, unexpected moments of peace and quiet.
26. For soft, thick, cozy yarn and the pleasure of making something out of it, just for me.
27. For the joy of making things for others too.  {Lest you think #27 was selfish. ;) }
28. For catching the moment on a windy day when yellow leaves are falling so quickly and thickly that you can’t see past them.
29. For catching sight of little boys trying to hula hoop.  :)
30. That the worst thing my 5 year old has to worry about is finding where he mislaid his newest and most favorite rock.
31. For children’s audio books.
32. For the library, and that it is so close to our home.
33. For my husband’s job, and his willingness to support us while I stay home.
34. For a better understanding and appreciation of the work of a stay-at-home mom.
35. For my health and the health of everyone I love.
36. For my weekly hour in our church’s adoration chapel.
37. For visiting relatives.
38. For turkey dinners and naps afterwards.
39. For a warm, cozy bed.
40. To live in freedom.
41. For our military, the sacrifices they and their families make.
42. For the beauty of falling snow.
43. For the pure joy snow gives to the children I know.
44. For the cozy inside feeling snow gives me.
45. For second (and third, and fourth…) chances to get things right.
46. For the gift of being a mother, a wife, a sister, a friend, and every other role I’ve been given – I am truly blessed.