Gratitude 7/14/09

Today I am grateful for:
*the health of my family - we are so blessed
*cable television - how else would I learn about all of the Dirty Jobs that exist and also see the interior of King Tut's tomb in one day?
*air conditioning on days with 105 degree heat - can't imagine life without it!

Gratitude 7/5/09

Today I am grateful for:
*books - and the time I have in the summer to immerse myself in them.
*chocolate peanut butter brownies
*fleece blankets

Gratitude 7/3/09

Today I am grateful for:
*the relationship I have with my husband. After almost 10 years of being married, there is still no one else I would rather spend time with. I love his sense of humor, his moral compass, his sense of community and family.
*living in a community that rallies to support a local family in crisis. Working at the Fire/EMS fireworks stand today to benefit the Ledbetter family, we saw a steady stream of community members coming in to support Charlie's family.
*drives in the countryside. The perfect way to wind down our day today.

Botanica Gardens

Botanica Gardens - water lily

Gratitude 7/2/09

Today I am grateful for:
*my sister and her children. We spent the day together today, and it reminds me of how blessed we are to have such a close relationship - to truly be friends as well as sisters.
*the amazing variety of colors available in plants - we spent the day at the Botanica Gardens and I was stunned at the wide variety of flowers - things I had never seen before, had no idea could grow in Kansas, etc. I particularly enjoyed the water lilies and the Butterfly Gardens. Gorgeous!
*the joy of walking with my daughter and dog. One of the simple pleasures in life -to take an evening stroll with someone you love and be able to have meandering conversations about whatever comes to mind. These are some of my favorite times with L.

Knowing What You Want

I've had a revelation recently regarding what you think you want, and how that can change over time. For years, I've thought that I had a specific desire that seemed as if it weren't going to happen, something that is not entirely in my control, something that for years I have dearly wished for. But in the past week, I believed it was finally happening. And I realized that I was pretty sure I didn't want it any more...I had not examined my desire in quite some time, and as it turns out, I think I have moved past it. It isn't that I didn't want it simply because it was happening - not a case of always wanting the unattainable. It is that I used to want it with my whole heart, but that my life has changed and I am now in a place where I am more content with whatever happens. I have spent so long wanting this particular event that it became more a habit than a true desire. I am so surprised by this turn of events - I would never have predicted it, even a week ago. And it has given me such a measure of peace - as if I can let this go - if it happens, fabulous, and if it doesn't happen, also fabulous. What a blessing.