monday evening
procrastination, he and i are close buds.
I’m tracking my mothers flight, she is on her way here from houston, and her plane is still over the skies of texas. this means really there is PLENTY of time for me to go scrub the bathtub, or wipe down the sink -even the toilet; so that my mother can groom in a clean room tomorrow. but, despite the time i find myself sucked into the wonderful eye candy world of the internet. for some reason your fantastic tales of simple middle america life (actually you australian bloggers are pretty fun to read too!) appeal to me- more so than cleaning the bathroom. thus the bathroom sits waiting for me to please make it smell better and look cleaner.
today, i heard more tales of suffering and heart ache from people i know and care about. my heart feels heavy with empathy. i tend to personalize the troubles of others. i’m told that i take things too personally. when i hear of another’s suffering i immediatly put myself in their shoes and try hard to imagine what they must be feeling. this makes it extremly difficult for me to watch the evening news. the only way i can reconcile these feelings for others (because some problems i can’t solve or even help with) is to remember gratitude for my own life. here are a few of the things that stand out to me today:
i’m grateful
- that my body functions as it should
- for my strong healthy children (who love each other)
- for my strong husband, who really takes care of me
- for my faith, my eternal perspective
- for my extended family- and their health
- for my home, my small and simple home
- for 2 cars owned outright (even if they are both older than my oldest child)
- and that the 2 cars run- dependably
- that I have enough clothes than i can skip a few days of laundry
- for my safe neighborhood
- for my wonderful and supportive friends- who are always up for a girls night out
- that i can afford to buy my family groceries
i could easily go on and on. ’tis the season. what simple things are you grateful for?
November 25th, 2008 at 7:26 am
What a wonderful greatful list. I hope you enjoy your visit with your mother and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I live in Houston, Tx also. Your mother is missing some beautiful weather here. Enjoy!!
November 25th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Amen my sweet friend. Amen. Hugs to you and yours this Thanksgiving.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Definitely stay glad your body works, because when it doesn’t, boy things can get bad.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:34 am
That is a wonderful gratitude list. I am really envious of the reliable car one as I sit here getting my car serviced for the second time in two weeks
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
November 25th, 2008 at 9:06 am
That is a great post. Amen to everything you said. Great list. I too am most greatful for my health and the health of my family.
Happy Thanksgiving week to you.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Your list is my list. But I think I would add, family close by that are willing to help me stay sane (you could add that to your list too but I guess that isn’t simple).
Have fun with your mom. I am going to have fun with Ann, we are going to the beach on Thursday.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Heather, I love your gratitude list! You say it all perfectly. Your picture with Aaron is a really nice one. I like the photography style. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your mom! Take care.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:26 pm
i’m in houston, too, and the weather here was great for thanksgiving, though it’s cold today. fortunately, someone threw a bucket of cats on the couch with me and they’re keeping me warm! your thankfulness list is wonderful. i’m thankful for many things, including said bucket of cats, a wonderful husband who is my best friend, other friends and family, my health and the health of my friends and family, and , especially today, being able to work from home sometimes.