Yonder

Today I am grateful for young people.
Forgiving teenagers.
Healed memories.
A husband who pays the bills.
A repaired refrigerator!
Enough blankets to be warm.
Habitat for Humanity.
A tummy full of red beans and rice, YUM!
Ms. Emily's gift to our son's school that will pay a teacher's salary for 10 yrs.
People who say, "Sure come on over!"
People who say, "Would love to come along, see ya soon!"
A young widow who has an indomitable spirit.
People who pray every single day for us.
Internet opportunities.
Ireland and the sober people I'll meet there....
and the not so sober who'll remind me to stay away from the hooch!
The power of a body to heal an injury.
Our dog's veterinarian who radiates caring.
The faithful newspaper delivery staff who drive in this slop to bring the paper.
A page 86 divorce, and the twinkle in Oldtimer's eye who gives that tip.
Neighbors leaving for work so quietly.
The chance to hit the snooze button.
The effect of compassion on someone.
Coffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
My 89 year old Mom and her humor about her fears of old age.
My sister and my brother who visit Mom nearly every other day.
Nice weather so we can make the trip to see family.
Help.
A patient teacher.
Young people who say thank you with every fiber of their being.
Teenager humor.
Time and the power of getting past stuff with Time.
The power to say "Not today, no" to the things that destroy me.
The power to say "Oh yeah!" to the things that restore me.
Eyeglasses and a variety available so I can see to sew.
Today is Friday, and will be a shorter work day, whew!
Old friends, new friends.

Yonder

Today I am grateful for bowling without drinking.
Bowling alongside families on either lane beside us who love their children and it shows.
Grumpy cats.
Absent fireworks.
A refrigerator that works.
Money to pay for the new refrigerator.
A break in the rain long enough to do yard chores.
Baked potatoes piping hot.
Sweet tea.
Reminders of happy times while both parents were still living.
Reminders of healing times while both parents were still living.
Simple folk who never met a stranger and jump right in with whatever is on their mind, usually something adorable and sweet, no matter they've never met you before.
Watching teenagers rejoice when pizza arrives at their booth.
Laughing with someone over my blunder and feeling loved because some blunders are cute when you're loved.
Being in the room with someone who feels beaten to a pulp, but "suits up and shows up" anyway.
Being in the room with someone who feels a-okay, but doesn't rub your nose in it if you are feeling not so great yet.
Learning a new level of meaning by experience, and then being able to relate better when folks are talking about "steps".
Birds that survive now, because they fly into the fabric/buffer instead of into the window pane.
Being able to see the stitches I'm having to rip out of my sewing goof.
Ripping without pricking my fingers, yay!
Seeing a buddy wrapped up in story.

Yonder

Flu bug is a great time to ponder gratitude! I am grateful for nausea medicine, gingerale, clean sheets, warm house, friend who texted me (((hugs!))), an attitude that says this is no big deal and I can cope with the discomfort, gone the attitude that says "oh dear it's all about me and how terrible it is to be sick", an older dog who can fend for himself so long as there's fresh water and food in the bowl, gone the memory of hang-overs and having to lie about missing work 'because of the flu', compact book of meditations as a companion, washing machine and dryer in-home that both work, big book in action: "this too shall pass".

Opivotal

Oh, sorry to hear you're ill Yonder.

Hope you feel better soon.

Yonder

Thanks, Opivotal, this is very, very soon. How quickly the body heals itself from a little bug when drugs and alcohol are no longer rulers. Sure feels GREAT to feel better. :-)