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.

Growing a Garden of Gratitude

 

My friend Kim has been writing lists of things for which she is grateful, and I always feel inspired by her posts.  I find my attitude changing… no longer focused on the micro, but on the macro… regardless of how a day is going or how tired or frustrated or discouraged I feel, I know that I am grateful for this life and the many, many blessings I’ve been given. Thank you, Kim for your beautiful posts! ;)

I’m hoping to keep this list going, and plan on posting it a couple of times a month.

I am grateful for…

1. Lilacs blooming
2. Bleeding Hearts blooming
3. Virginia Bluebells blooming
4. Lilies of the Valley blooming (and smelling delicious)
5. A happy boy with dirty face and hands (the dirtier, the happier, it seems).
6. Being able to stay home and spend my days with my favorite little person in the world.
7. My husband’s job, and his hard work there.
8. My little home.
9. Good friends that go check on our house, unasked, after a tornado, when we are out of town (such good friends).
10. That my son has a tender heart, and feels ok crying over a favorite tree coming down in said tornado.
11. That the tree landed on our doorstep, and not on our house!
12. My steam mop.
13. Supportive girlfriends.
14. Supportive bloggy-friends.
15. My sister’s fiance, a really wonderful guy (who was homeschooled, I might add ;) ).
16. People who listen without judging.
17. Toys lying around outside, making our lawn look messy colorful.
18. Back rubs.
19. Cupboard doors and walls full of colorful artwork.
20. Coffee on quiet mornings.
21. Dandelion bouquets and the kisses and love that come with them.
22. Our wonderful neighbors.
23. Spring breezes and open windows.
24. Plenty of food in the fridge and pantry.
25. Michael’s coupons. ;)

 

Here are a couple of photos of the fallen tree, in case anyone is interested in seeing just how tall this baby was.

Bottom half of tree

Top half of tree

This was the same tornado that went through North Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon.  It kept going north and went through our little suburb.  Homes a mere 400 yards away were damaged pretty badly.  We were fortunate that only one tree came down, and our home was undamaged.  We had shingles and insulation in our yard (along with lots of debris from trees) that came from who knows where.  My heart goes out to all the people in Joplin, MO (a town I’m familiar with) and the other areas that have been so devastated, and our prayers are with them.