Saturday 4 August 2012

August 4, 2012

Today I'm especially grateful for air conditioning...walking outside is like walking into a furnace.

I'm grateful for juicy peaches!!!!

I'm also thankful for all the exciting stuff we saw on the Olympic coverage today! What amazing talent!!

I'm grateful for my eyes.

And I'm grateful for the wealth of blessings in my house, neighbourhood and life.

Friday 3 August 2012

August 3, 2012

Today I'm grateful for the motivation to finish a small project I've been meaning to do since April!

I'm grateful that my blood sugar is keeping at a healthy level and that I'm losing weight at a healthy pace as well!

I'm thankful for the beautiful uplifting music that's been playing in my head all day, keeping my spirit joyful and close to God.

I'm grateful that my hubby is on the same wavelength in regard to something I've been pondering for a few weeks.

And I'm glad that my feet and knees haven't been hurting much lately.

Thursday 2 August 2012

August 2, 2012

Today I'm grateful that we finally fixed the shelf in the linen closet that was on the verge of collapsing.

I'm also grateful for how amazing the baked beans turned out tonight (lots of veggies included for my new diet too!)

I'm thankful that our neighbour needed us to help her pick up something at the store tonight, which allowed me to run two errands, which means I won't have to go out shopping tomorrow - I love a relaxing day at home!!

I'm grateful for the wonderful coverage of the Olympics...how we are able to watch these amazing athletes from all over the world.

And I'm grateful that I feel stronger these days, more energy, more physical stamina, more muscle strength than I've felt in many, many years.

Wednesday 1 August 2012

August 1, 2012

Today I'm grateful that it didn't rain this morning when we had the clothes hanging outside.

I'm also grateful to have found some items I'd been searching for.

I'm thankful for how healthy I'm feeling these days, for such reliable energy levels and general good health.

I'm grateful that my back therapist still works at the back institute and is able to take me on as a patient again in time to get my back in shape for our trip to China.

And on this first day of August, I'm grateful for the amazing summer we've had so far.

Tuesday 31 July 2012

July 31, 2012

Today I'm grateful for this comfortable home.

I'm also grateful for the beautiful blouse that the store at the mall found in my size and had shipped here all the way from the Maritimes for me.

I'm thankful for fresh asparagus!

I'm grateful also for the rain that fell here today, our grass, flowers and trees desperately needed it.

And I'm grateful that the hail and tornadoes that were forecast didn't pass through this area today.

Monday 30 July 2012

July 30, 2012

Today I'm grateful for the baskets of fresh fruit we were able to pick up today...Niagara peaches, yellow plums, strawberries, blueberries and cantaloupe...all so good and fresh!!

I'm also grateful for the new portable clothes rack I bought today that will help me better sort through clothes for various upcoming trips as well as the donated clothes we take to Cuba.

I'm thankful that my husband loves me so much and is willing to stretch himself beyond his comfort zone to help improve our life and relationship together.

I'm grateful for my relationship with God and all that He has done to speak Love to my heart and all the blessings He continuously pours into my day and life.

And I'm grateful that I've been able to lose weight and keep it off over the past few weeks...my brother's regime is working well!

Sunday 29 July 2012

July 29th, 2012

Today I'm grateful for the lovely weekend we spent with good friends.

I'm grateful for arriving back home safe and sound.

I'm grateful for the people who fill my life with their presence and love.

I'm thankful for fresh Niagara peaches. Yummmmmmmyyyyyy.

I'm grateful that God is very patient.

Wednesday 25 July 2012

July 25, 2012

Today I'm grateful for the yummy supper we put together tonight! The Greek salad was phenomenal!

I'm grateful that my sugar is back to normal after bouncing all over the place during my weekend away.

I'm thankful for the slightly cooler weather today and for how the flowers were revived by recent rain.

I'm grateful for the freedom we enjoy to come and go where we want to when we want to.

And I'm grateful for the comfy-cosy bed waiting upstairs for my weary body to fall into soon!

Tuesday 24 July 2012

July 24, 2012

Today I'm grateful for the rain we had last night, and that the hail didn't do too much damage to the car and flowers.

I'm also grateful for the cooling breezes that are wafting through the window...I'm thankful we won't have to have the air conditioner on tonight!!

I'm thankful for the beautiful music and talent on TV tonight...I'm grateful when people share their amazing gifts and talents!

I'm grateful for the availability of good medical care.

I'm also grateful that my body works so well...good lungs, strong heart, two good-working legs and feet, hands that can do just about anything they want and need to do, and a healthy mind (at least I think it's healthy, lol).

Monday 23 July 2012

July 23, 2012

Today I'm grateful for the wonderful weekend I spent with my niece Talina, for the chance to reconnect and spend healing time together.

I'm grateful for the kindness of people all along the way. I was pleasantly surprised at finding courtesy and kindness everywhere we went in such a large city setting.

I'm grateful for discovering the beautiful generous spirit of my niece this weekend. I really like the wooden box she brought back for me from Old Jerusalem!

I'm grateful for the beautiful weather we had all weekend. We were supposed to get rain every day but instead enjoyed glorious sunshine and "just right" temperatures.

I'm thankful too for the safe train trip back and for the relatively easy comfort we enjoy here at home.

Tuesday 17 July 2012

July 17, 2012

Today I'm grateful for the little bit of rain that fell today...we need more, but 12 drops are better than none, lol.

I'm grateful for the lovely cool breeze coming through the window tonight.

I'm grateful for our neighbour who sent over yummy food...we won't have to cook tomorrow!

I'm thankful that I don't have to test my glucose as much now, giving my fingers a chance to heal.

And I'm grateful for kind words written in an email today, and how they touch, heal and shine such brilliant light into my heart and soul.

Monday 16 July 2012

Colours, Health, Sales and Fresh Clean Clothes

Today I'm grateful for the beautiful colours in our garden.

I'm also grateful that my sugar levels appear to be stabilizing and that I'm able to add more items to the menu without putting my sugar all out of whack.

I'm thankful for the 6-for-3 sale going on at the card shop...it meant we got 3 birthday cards for free when we bought 6.

And I'm grateful for all the people we'll be sending those cards to...I'm grateful for their loving presence!

And I'm grateful for the way my clothes smell so fresh and clean after hanging outside all day!

Sunday 15 July 2012

Walks, Music, Weight Loss, Ice Cream and Friends

Today I'm grateful for the beautiful walk we took early this morning along the river. Trees, water, flowers...very pleasing and soothing for my spirit.

I'm grateful for the beautiful music I'm listening to right now, and grateful for all the musicians, songwriters, etc who share their gifts and talents.

I'm grateful that I've lost almost 8 pounds since my diabetes diagnosis! My brother's regime is working very well for me!!! So well that I could even add a small ice-cream cone as a treat this afternoon!

So I'm also grateful for ice cream, lol. Especially chocolate chip ice-cream.

And I'm very grateful (with all my heart!) for all the wonderful friends all around the world who grace and bless my life through Facebook and other online sites...I'm awed by the gifts and joys that they bring into my daily life, and mindful of how enriched my life has been since discovering the awesome people I can connect with through social networking!!!

Saturday 14 July 2012

Home, Family, Safe Roads and AC

Today I'm grateful to be waking up in my own bed again!

I'm grateful for the wonderful time we had visiting various family members...for the warmth of love and care that surrounded us everywhere we went...and the amazing food too!

I'm very thankful for the safe journeying, the wonderful weather we had while traveling and the awesome scenery that greeted us with every twist and turn of the road.

I'm grateful for air conditioning!! We have a major heat wave going on here, I'm grateful for electricity and air conditioning big-time today!!

And I'm grateful for continuing good health, good energy and happy spirit.

Thursday 5 July 2012

Love, walks, food and family

Today I'm so grateful for the wonderful day I had yesterday (on my birthday). So many beautiful wishes and comments from friends and family. It was a very rich day!

I'm also grateful for the beautiful walks we are able to take along the river.

I'm thankful for the abundance of food everywhere we go...and that we're able to walk it off afterwards, lol.

I'm grateful for my brother who continues to help me figure out my sugar thing.

And I'm grateful for all the love that surrounds me here in this place.

Monday 2 July 2012

Health, Safe Roads, Family and Internet access

Today I'm grateful for the wonderful drive we enjoyed yesterday - 10 hours, hardly any traffic, a gloriously sunny day full of spectacular scenery and river vistas! It was Canada Day, what better way to celebrate this beautiful country than to be traveling through it!

I'm also grateful for my good health...for the energy to take long brisk walks along the river, the strength to climb stairs, the well-being to stretch my arms toward heaven and feel life radiating through my entire being!

I'm very grateful that my sugar is stabilizing at a healthy level, even with the changes in diet while we travel.

I'm so very thankful for my family who love me and embrace my presence with joy and welcome. ("every day within your presence heals every day alone" - somewhere in the Bible!)

And I'm grateful that I have Internet access here and the ability to email friends in Cuba and find out that dear ones are safe and sound.

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Neighbours, New Stores, Stable Sugar and Helpful Pharmacy

Today I'm grateful for our neighbour who sent us over some food last night...enough so that we don't have to cook supper tonight!! Yippeee!!

I'm also grateful that I found the CD I've been looking for - and in the process found the most amazing wonderful Christian gift store in the city! How could I have lived here for 16 years and not known about this place before?!! They even carry Spanish Bibles!!!

I'm very grateful that I don't feel as hungry as I've been feeling for the past week. My sugar is still not where we want to be, but at least it appears to be stablizing at a lower count than this time last week.

I'm very grateful that the pharmacy gave me double refills for both the needles and test strips so I don't have to worry while we're away.

And I'm thankful for the beautiful day today...not too hot, cooling breeze...a perfect day.

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Strawberries, Feet, Wii and Home

Today I'm grateful for fresh strawberries...mmm, they're good!

I'm also grateful that my feet are feeling better today.

I'm thankful for having the Wii, which makes it easier for me to exercise.

I'm grateful for my husband, even though we argue sometimes, I'm glad I have one to argue with.

And I'm grateful for my home, be it ever so humble, I'm glad I have one to come home to.

Monday 25 June 2012

Remembering, Indoor Plumbing, Cable TV and Food

Today I'm grateful for being able to go and visit our friend and celebrate his 90th birthday, even it was a day late. He was very happy.

I'm grateful for being remembered, and very grateful for all the people who brighten my days with their posts and comments and "game gifts". It all adds up to wonderful days!

I'm also thankful for indoor plumbing these days...with my sugar count all out of whack, I'm so very very glad that I don't have to keep running outside to go pee!!!! (many of our friends in Cuba still do)

I'm grateful for cable TV which allows us to watch such a wide diversity of programs...nature, talent, quiz, comedy, escapism...it's quite a thing being able to watch some of the things that we're able to watch!

I'm also grateful today for all the healthy food in our fridge and pantry. We are so blessed!!!

Sunday 24 June 2012

River Walk, Lilies, Neighbours, Music and Chairs

Today I'm grateful that we had such a lovely walk along the river this morning...before the rain started pouring down!!

I'm grateful for the beautiful orange lilies that we see all over the place these days!

I'm also thankful that we have such kind neighbours who take care to watch out for each other.

I'm grateful for all the beautiful music that I listened to today...very uplifting!

And I'm grateful that for this wonderful comfortable chair that I'm sitting in...it's like a big teddy bear welcoming my tired body deep into its plush comfort!

Saturday 23 June 2012

George, Pokes, Dark Chocolate and Eyes

Today I'm grateful for the beautiful new front porch we have, thanks to George who was so meticulous and clearly cared about his workmanship...what a beautiful spirit he has and what beautiful work he does! Having read The Shack and the Joshua books, and remembering Emmaus, there were moments in our encounters and chats with George which made us ponder...

I'm also grateful for Facebook "likes" and "pokes"...they might seem like such little things, but really, they can brighten a lonely day and remind people that they're not invisible and that others are thinking of them.

I'm grateful that those little squares of 72% dark chocolate are not adversely affecting my sugar at all! In fact, it's almost looking like they're helping...continuing to test that hypothesis. Yipppeee!

I'm very thankful that our neighbour (who took the same tour to China that we booked for October) told us this morning that they never saw even one squat toilet anywhere they went there. Yipppeeee!!!

And I'm grateful for my eyes, which allow me to see colours, play fun brain games online and read wonderful stories written by beautiful friends. (And I'm grateful for the friends who write them too!!)


Friday 22 June 2012

Skirts that fit, Food, Breeze, Home and New Front Step

Today I'm grateful for the lovely skirt that I found at the second hand charity store today! Especially since it goes with many tops already in my wardrobe!

I'm also grateful for all the fresh fruit and vegetables we bought today to help me with my new diet.

I'm grateful for the cool breeze blowing through out window now, after another very hot day.

I'm very thankful for our comfortable home.

And I'm grateful for the worker who came to repair our front steps this morning...despite it being a very hot day, he took his time and did an amazing job! He extended it just enough that I think it will be big enough to put a chair out there.  That will be nice! Looking forward to trying it out tomorrow.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Puttering, Progress and More Progress

Today I'm grateful that it was one of my favourite kinds of days...the puttering kind, where I just puttered around the house and did lots of little puttery things. I love getting to the end of a day like this and looking at the big collection of little things that got done. Feels good!

I'm very grateful (again) for air conditioning. Today was so hot it broke all kinds of records for this area. I tried to go out but could scarcely breathe. So today, the air conditioning was especially welcome!

I'm grateful that my glucose monitoring is showing useful patterns...if the same patterns continue it should be relatively simple to get my sugar back to healthier levels.

I'm thankful for the wonderful friends who chat and play together online...they will never really know just how much of a difference they make...but I know, and God knows how much healthier I am these days because of them. (Thank You!!!)

I'm so grateful for how far I've come. I really like my new "attic"...even though there are still moments when the old tapes switch back on, I'm so happy to have the wisdom and vigilance to catch them early and switch back to the new scripts and new positive ways of thinking and processing life. That's such a monumental place for me to be, after years and years and years of struggling against such unrelenting darkness. I love living in the light now!!! (Thank You!!!)

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Electricity, Neighbours, Brother and Faith

Today I'm very grateful for electricity! It was the hottest day of the year so far (45C with the humidex, which is about 120F), and our entire area lost power for over 4 hours. It was so wonderful to hear all the clocks beeping and air conditioning turn back on!!

I'm also grateful for the lovely time we spent with our friends down in the market today. Good buffet lunch too!!

I'm thankful for our wonderful neighbours who take the time to stop and chat with us when we're sitting outside.

I'm grateful for my brother who wrote me a beautiful email today, with lots of great tips on how to get started on my new diabetic diet/lifestyle. I love hearing from my brother.

And I'm grateful for my faith, for God, for how He finds so many ways to remind me how much He loves me and even, amazing-but-true, enjoys my company. Such tender sweet Presence.

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Music, Phone Call and Patience

What a busy day it was today! I'm so grateful to have had enough energy and stamina to keep up with all of the errands, appointments and demands of the day.

I'm grateful for all the people who write beautiful inspirational music...do they know how much their words and music touch my heart and enrich my journey?! My entire life has been graced by some of the most beautiful words and music...I'm grateful for each and every word and note...I'm especially grateful for music which lifts my soul and blesses me with moments of pure Presence and joy.

I'm also very grateful for the handsome young pharmacist who took so much time this afternoon to help me get started with my new glucose tester...his thorough and patient explanations helped to ease my anxiety.

I'm grateful for Kelvin's phone call today...it was lovely to speak with him again. That's the first personal phone call I've received since Christmas...I'm grateful that it was a pleasant and positive experience.

And I'm grateful for that amazing Chinese BBQ Pork that we had for supper tonight....and grateful for having found that easy and delicious recipe!!

Monday 18 June 2012

New Hairdresser, Friends and Good Health

Today I'm grateful for finding a new hair stylist. She worked in the chair beside Donka for years, and seemed very happy to see me there today. And she loves playing with my hair...and her scalp massage was heavenly! So I'm very grateful that I didn't have to look far to find a new hairdresser!

I'm grateful that one of the cleaning jobs I was most dreading in the neighbour's house actually went very well this morning.

I'm also grateful that my dear friend from the States will be staying within a few hours drive for the month of July and we'll be able to go spend time with him and his partner. In my high school days, everyone thought we were twins...and when his partner met me and got to know me, he was also certain that we had to be twins because we're so much alike in every way. It's always a joy to spend time with them. I'm very very grateful that he's still a part of my life.

I express gratitude again for my wonderful caring online friends. Having just found out that one of our friends of many years has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, I'm deeply saddened, but grateful that so many of us are still around to pray for her and help lift her spirits in whatever ways possible.

And I'm very very grateful for my own good health!

Sunday 17 June 2012

My Dad, Bacon and Waterfalls

Today I'm most grateful for my Dad. I had a wonderful father, but didn't really understand my good fortune until after he died. I hope that wherever he is, he knows how thankful I am for all that he was, gave and did for his family...and also very grateful for all that he wasn't and didn't do...now that I know what some fathers are like, I'm especially blessed and grateful for mine!

I'm grateful for all the yummy bacon on that Ultimate BLT that we had for lunch today. I love bacon!!

I'm grateful that we've whittled down the workload at the neighbour's house to about another 2 hours worth of cleaning left to do. And we finally found out what to do with everything that's left to get rid of, and I'm so happy that they will allow us to give it to someone we know who really needs it.

I'm grateful that God brings into our lives people that we're able to help out - and then provides us with the things that we need to help them out!!! How serendipitous is that?!! I love it!!

And I'm grateful for all the beautiful flowers, waterfalls and river-views that we enjoyed on our walk this morning. It's a pretty city and I'm glad that we're finally getting out to explore and enjoy it!


Saturday 16 June 2012

Stamina, Cardinals and Tylenol

Today I'm grateful to have had the stamina to clean our neighbour's kitchen for 3 hours this morning. And very grateful that after 6 months, it's all done except for a few minor touch-ups here and there.

I'm so grateful that when I came to sit and relax in my chair, a wonderful breeze has been wafting in through the window...not only pleasant and cooling, but with the light fragrance of flowers as well. Beautiful!!

I'm grateful for my husband who has so much more stamina than I do...and who just told me to relax because he would look after supper tonight! Whoo hoo!!

I'm also thankful for all the cardinals that live in the neighbourhood this summer...I've never seen (or heard) so many before...I love their song, and I love seeing the flashes of red in the trees and the feeder!

And I'm grateful for Tylenol, because it really took the edge off of my pain today. My feet and back are almost pain-free, which is a minor miracle after all of that cleaning this morning!

Friday 15 June 2012

Sweet Potato Fries, Time and Mobility

Today I'm grateful for sweet potato fries, and the waitress who let me substitute sweet potato fries for regular ones for lunch today. The fries were delicious and the waitress delightful!

I'm also grateful that we're almost finished cleaning out the neighbour's house...one more room to go! We'll tackle that one (the kitchen) tomorrow and should be all done by the end of the weekend! Whoo hoo!!

I'm also thankful for the way my clothes smell after hanging on the line all morning. Mmmmmm goood!

Goldie Hawn says we should try to write down FIVE things we're grateful for each day...so I'll add two more...

I'm grateful that I have feet, legs and strength to walk. I saw many people in wheelchairs today who are not able to walk, and they reminded me how wonderful it is to still be independently mobile!

And I'm thankful for being retired, and specifically for having time to have a leisurely cup of Earl Grey tea in the afternoon...a luxury that was never possible when I was working full-time because my breaks were never long enough for me to steep it the way I like it! Now I have the time to not only steep the tea but to drink it at my own pace too!!

Thursday 14 June 2012

Donka, Laptop Recovery and Ribs

Today I'm grateful for Donka, my magician hairdresser...and I pray that I'll be able to find her again.

I'm also grateful that my laptop came back to life after its near-death experience this morning.

And I'm grateful for those ribs cooking on the BBQ and the awesome smell wafting in through my window.

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Able Body, Cool Breezes and My Doctor

Today I'm grateful for what my body CAN do for me...it can still walk me to the store, still carry me up the stairs to bed, still watch a beautiful sunrise, still hear the birds squabbling at the feeder, and it can still snuggle me into the loving arms of my husband.

I'm also grateful for that cool breeze that kept wafting through our windows today...nice music when it rustled past the wind chimes, and very nice touch when it brushed against our hot skin.

And I'm very thankful for my doctor.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Quiet Days, Grass Mowers and Air Conditioning

Today I'm grateful for quiet days when I get to stay home and relax.

I'm also grateful for all the guys out there mowing the grass and keeping our neighbourhood tidy...and so very grateful that it's not me who has to do all of that!!

And I'm grateful for air conditioning on hot humid days like today.

Monday 11 June 2012

Mercy, Mercy and Mercy








And thank You for Your "clean-slate" mercy, new every morning. It makes waking up every morning much easier to face!

And I'm also very grateful for the gracious forgiveness that others show me when I do or say dumb things. Forgiveness - mercy - is healing medicine to my soul, I'm not sure I could keep on going without it. Thank You!

Sunday 10 June 2012

River Paths, Georgia and Facebook Friends

Today I'm grateful for the beautiful walking path we found this morning, stretching all along the river. Woods and wild flowers on one side and the river on the other. We think after living here for 16 years, we've finally found a favourite walking path!

I'm very grateful that Georgia's writing again.

I'm thankful for my Facebook friends. Have I mentioned this before? Doesn't matter. That's how important they are. Sometimes my life feels pretty lonely, but I can almost always find someone online to talk with or play a game with. I'm not sure how I could or would cope with some aspects of my life without Facebook to come to.

Saturday 9 June 2012

Bacon, God's Timing and Sunglasses

Today I'm grateful for being awakened by the sizzle and smell of bacon...hubby was out in the backyard at about 6am cooking bacon so I could have some for my breakfast and then some for the tomato-bacon sandwich I've been hankering for ever since we picked up those fresh tomatoes yesterday. What a guy! Thank You Lord for this husband who loves me so much and loves to surprise me with little treats like fresh bacon for breakfast!

I'm grateful for YOU, Lord...Your faithfulness (new every morning!), Your patience, Your tender voice in my ear speaking Love and Beloved, and most of all Your timing...although I can't always see it along the way, I'm learning over and over again that everything works out, all things bring me to where You want/need me to be at the time that is perfect for Your purpose. That's enough for me...Your Love and Your Grace....are enough. (though I'm very grateful for chocolate too... :)))

 Sunglasses...if it weren't for sunglasses I couldn't even go out my front door. I'm very grateful for my sunglasses, especially on sparkly mornings like today. Since my laser surgery in 2002, my eyes have been ultra-sensitive to the sun and bright lights. But thankfully, the laser surgery allowed me to wear non-prescription sunglasses for the first time in my life, so it worked out well, didn't it, lol. Thank You Lord for eye doctors, laser surgery (yay for my new eyes!) and for sunglasses!

Friday 8 June 2012

Cottages, Strawberries and Pianos

I'm so grateful that my Dad built us a cottage when we were young. I was about 10, and my two youngest brothers were under 5, and we spent the entire summer for many, many years at that cottage. My brothers and I played for hours in the pile of sand down by the beach - the beach was rocky, but Dad made sure that there was always a nice big pile of dirt in that one corner. We built cities and bridges and roadways that went to the most amazing castles. Those houses and castles had moats and swimming pools and elaborate staircases that went nowhere. We had so much fun. We also built forts in the nearby woods, discovered waterfalls and even walked 5km to the nearest store just to buy an ice cream cone! We had the cottage for 30+ years then had to sell it after Dad died. We  miss it terribly now, though perhaps it's the family gatherings there that we miss the most. When I see the children in our neighbourhood out roaming the streets at 9am with nothing to do all day (no school today), I feel so sorry for them - and so very grateful all over again that my Dad built that wonderful cottage for us. Lord, I thank you for the wonderful memories we still cherish from those cottage days. And I ask for special protection and blessings on the children in our neighbourhood...please keep them safe, healthy and happy...especially as they try to find interesting things to do with their time!

I'm grateful for the fresh strawberries just starting to pop out in our garden. Hubby's so pleased, there are LOTS of strawberries this year...and blueberries soon, and raspberries in a few weeks. Our backyard is very tiny, but he has planted as many fruit plants as space will allow. And this year we're finally going to be able to enjoy, literally, the fruits of his labour! Thank You Lord for the bounty of this earth, for the beautiful flowers, for the good food that grows in our garden and for the delicious pleasure that such simple things as fresh-picked strawberries can bring to us.

I'm also grateful for pianos. I love my piano - I bought it in memory of my Dad after he passed away, always thankful for the piano lessons he and Mom insisted I take when I was a child. I don't play as often as I should these days, but I'm still very grateful that it's there when I do finally sit down to play. Thank You Lord for music, pianos, and for Mr Benvie who was an awesome piano teacher.

Thursday 7 June 2012

Vicarious Living, Eggs and Showers

I'm so grateful to be living in a time when I can enjoy some things vicariously, through other people's eyes. With the Internet, I can go anywhere in the world and see sights and wonders that I could never have gotten to on my own, either because of financial constraints or plain old fear. But I do enjoy seeing what other people are up to! Thank You Lord that there are people out there willing to go where most of us can't go, and who are kind enough to bring back pictures so I can see what I'm missing. :))

I'm also grateful for eggs. I eat an egg every morning. It stems way back to the early 80's when I had trouble eating and was apparently, according to my doctor (though I didn't feel it) close to dying of malnutrition. My doctor sent me to a nutritionist and we agreed that I should have an egg every morning. The first few mornings I couldn't keep it down, but eventually it became my breakfast...for many years, it was the ONLY thing I could keep down first thing in the morning. Now I'm on the other end of the spectrum, and need to lose weight, lol. But even after all these years, that egg (scrambled and well cooked) is still often the only thing I can manage to eat first thing in the morning. So thank You Lord for eggs!

And I'm very grateful for showers. Remember the old days when the only option (at least in our house when we were young) was a bath? It was a lot of work, because the water pressure was slow and the water heaters were small. So we didn't get a bath everyday, nor did we need to, even though we played in the dirt a lot back then. Now I enjoy a bath - for about the first 10 minutes, then I can't stand it and have to stand up and get a shower anyway! So I'm very grateful that showers are so much easier and faster these days! Thank You Lord for hot water, nice-smelling soaps and the wonderful feeling of that water splashing all over me!!

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Orange, Comics and a Husband Who Does the Chores

Today I'm grateful for the colour orange. I love to wear orange, it makes me feel good. I have capris and shorts in various shades of orange and quite a few t-shirts, hoodies and a sweater in different shades of orange (my philosophy is that I have to buy orange clothes while they're available because when the stores stop selling orange, it will be gone for a long time!)

I can get away with wearing the tops anytime of the year, but I normally can only wear the orange capris and shorts in spring and summer. So I wear orange a lot. Probably too much for some people's tastes, lol. But I especially love wearing orange on a dull rainy day because it just perks me right up and makes me feel like I'm carrying the sunshine around with me. Thank You Lord for the colour orange!

I'm also grateful for comic strips. It was strange how just after Gary died I couldn't stand to read them...nothing could make me laugh and I didn't want to be reminded of how profoundly sad I was. I embraced it as a sign of healing-in-progress when I finally began reading comics again. Now they're one of my favourite parts of the day. Thank You Lord for the people who work every day to bring laughter into our lives through the newspaper comic strips!

And I'm grateful that my husband likes to do the laundry. I don't mind doing it at all, but he seems to actually really enjoy it. And washing dishes too! He even irons the tea towels!! I've never in my life ironed tea towels, but when I was single and working, I barely had time to iron my blouses, so things like pillow cases and tea towels never made it to my ironing table. He's a real gem that way. He enjoys doing a lot of things around the house that I don't particularly enjoy doing. He does laundry, washes the dishes, cooks, cleans the bathrooms and too many other chores to list here. He took over when he moved in with me, because I was working full-time (and lots of overtime) and he wanted me to be able to relax and spend time with him when I got home. Now that I'm retired, I could (and sometimes want to) take over some of those chores, but he prefers to do it all now. I'm so lucky!!! Thank You Lord for sending this man into my life!!

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Walks in the Sunshine, People and Fried Onions

Today I'm grateful for the beautiful day I spent with my husband. We were supposed to do more vacuuming in our neighbour's house, but after several days of rain, the sunshine was too tempting. So we drove downtown and spent all morning walking along the canal, past the Parliament Buildings, along the locks and finally ended up at one of our favourite restaurants for a buffet lunch. Thank You Lord for the glorious sunshine, the freedom of time and the beauty of nature all around us today. It was a really nice day!

I'm grateful for the people God has continuously brought into my life...to inspire, mentor, teach, companion - and to remind me of the things that I need to remember about life, love, compassion and kindness. Thank You Lord for each and every person...You know how much I cherish each person's presence and gift in my life...You know how painful it has been lately to have to accept the reality that not everyone can stay. Continue to teach me to be open to their arrivals in my life, and understanding of their leaving when it's time for them - or me - to move on. I would rather hold on to every single one of them and continue to treasure their presence, but that's not how it works, is it. I'm so grateful that they have been a part of my life at all, how much richer I am because of each person's presence and companionship along the way.

And I'm grateful for fried onions. Yummmmmmmmmmyyyyyyy. I'm not sure what it means that I can't get enough of them. :))

Monday 4 June 2012

Health Care, Electricity and Unfathomable Love

Today I'm grateful for access to good health care. It might not be perfect, but it's so much better than what most people across the world have...I just have to drive a few blocks to see my doctor, friends of ours in Cuba have to travel anywhere up to several hours by hot crowded buses. Health care for my little Born in Kenya or Khith in Cambodia is 2 hours away. And if I need any medicine, I just pop in to my nearest pharmacy with the doctor's prescription in hand and get it, and it will probably be free. Not so in many other places. Cuba might have some of the best doctors, well-trained and all, but they don't have access to some of even the most basic medicines. And even if the medicine is available, most Cubans cannot afford to pay for it. I do thank You Lord for the wealth of medical resources available to me and my loved ones here in Canada...but my heart cannot rejoice so freely knowing that so many of my loved ones elsewhere are in need, so I ask You to bless each one with whatever they need to be healthy and happy. Open the eyes, hearts and wallets of all those who are in positions of power and ability to make whatever changes necessary to make it possible for all to access good health care in whatever corner of the world they live in.

I'm also grateful for electricity, the power to bring light into my own home at the flick of a switch, to store food safely in a refrigerator, and to cook entire meals in a good-working oven. Everytime I stand at the stove to cook anything, I'm mindful of my friends who have to stand outside and cook on a tiny two-burner propane camp stove. I'm awed that they are able to cook all of their meals for their entire families (8-10 people), often with no electricity and in most cases, no oven. Thank You Lord for electricity. Thank You for the wealth of resources available to me here in Canada...again, I ask You to bless our loved ones in other parts of the world who struggle against unreliable (or no) electricity, inclement weather and hordes of mosquitoes just to put together a simple meal for their families. I don't know what exactly to ask...it seems monumental and complex...but You know the needs and the obstacles, so I just pray that You do whatever it takes to provide all with whatever they need to provide sustenance to their families.

And I'm grateful for my husband. He might not be perfect, but he loves me, and I often cannot fathom why he loves me, but he does and that makes all the difference in the world.


Sunday 3 June 2012

Vacuum Cleaners, Colours and Socks

Right now at this moment I'm very grateful for vacuum cleaners. I just spent 90 minutes in the basement of someone else's house vacuuming cobwebs from the walls and ceiling. I had to hold the nozzle part over my head for over an hour, poking around pipes and cables and various other obstacles...it was rather grueling and tiring and not the most enjoyable task in the world. But we were helping 90-year-old friends, and so I was grateful on several fronts - for the energy to be able to help at all, for the time and availability that retirement allows us to be able to help, and for my super-dooper vacuum cleaner which just sucked those million+ cobwebs with not much effort on my part. Dear Lord, I wonder if sometimes You would love to take a vacuum cleaner and suck all the cobwebs and dust right out of the nooks and crannies of me...I know I sometimes wish You would do that and just be done with it. But I'm glad that You do what You know is best, which often seems to be the slow patient waiting way...because I guess there are lessons I need to learn from the journey itself that couldn't be learned through the vacuum cleaner approach. It makes me sigh with relief that You're okay with the slow journeying, because slow is my best pace most days. But I'm ever so glad to have had that vacuum cleaner to do the job quick and easy this morning!

I'm also grateful today for colours. After spending quite a bit of time in that dark and dusty basement over the past few days, it's such a joy to come out the front door and be surrounded by such brilliant colours - blue sky, green grass, red roses, pink columbines, orange dahlias, yellow begonias and purple clematis. I love Spring. I especially love all of those rich colours springing up from the brown earth. Thank You Lord for colours. Thank You for providing us with a wee patch of land to grow all those amazing colours into being. De Colores!

I'm also grateful today for socks. Some people don't have socks. It had never occurred to me before we started traveling that some people don't have socks. When the floor upstairs gets cold, or even when my feet are in pain, socks always make me feel better. Now when we travel to those sockless parts of the world, we bring extras to leave behind...they're always a much-welcome relief for those cold feet too! Thank You Lord for socks!

Saturday 2 June 2012

Neighbours, Cyberfriends and Tea

Today I'm grateful for our next-door neighbour who often sends over yummy food for us. She makes yummy stuff! Today she sent over some BBQ pork kabobs, so tender and glazed with an exotic sauce, and then just a few minutes ago sent over a plate of home-made custard cake (not sure what it is, but it's delicious). Thank You Lord for Erlita!

I'm also grateful for cyberspace. For all the wonderful resources available...and especially the awesome people I've met through various forums and online venues. I cherish the friendships, and am grateful for how the wisdom of these beloved women has graced and evolved me into someone I like so much better than ever before. Thank You Lord for leading me into this whole new world of cyber-connectedness! Although there is a terrible dark side to cyberspace (please keep us all safe), there is also the possibility of kindredness and caring connection where we can bring light, healing and hope to others. I know, because I've been enlightened, healed and enkindled here myself...thank You! And help me, Lord, to pay it all forward!

 I'm also grateful for tea. Earl Grey, hot. Thank You Lord, and please bless all of the tea-pluckers everywhere in the world today.


Friday 1 June 2012

Escalators, Mall Workers and Cyberspace

Today I hurt my knee climbing up the escalator stairs at the mall...both the escalator and elevator weren't working, so I had no choice. By the time I got to the top of the escalator, I could barely walk. So today I'm grateful for escalators and elevators that work...and a special thank You, Lord, because I'm very grateful that hubby came along just as I got off the broken escalator and was able to help me to the car.

I'm also grateful for all the people who work in the mall...sales clerks, cashiers, sandwich makers, shoe fitters, shelf stockers, floor sweepers, coffee makers, tea steepers, lightbulb changers, security guards, sweater folders...they all do jobs that I cannot imagine doing for 8+hours a day every day. I'm glad they're there instead of me. Thank You Lord for all the people who help in any way...please bless each and every one according Your will for each one.

And I'm very grateful for my laptop, for the joy of being able to sit in my comfy chair in my comfy pajamas (when I came home, I changed into my pj's so that I won't have to change again later, because it hurts my knee to change clothes) and open my laptop and find all sorts of wonderful games, messages, and beautiful people all over the world. Thank you Lord for this amazing "window on the world"...thank you for the joy I find here in cyberspace, and please use me to bring joy to others, especially those in most need of a caring cyberfriend.

Thursday 31 May 2012

Naps, Chocolate and Clean Water

Today I'm grateful for naps. I can remember way back about 25+ years ago, sitting at my desk and desperately trying to stay awake shortly after lunch. All I wanted to do was put my head down on my desk and close my eyes for about 20 minutes. I remember praying for the energy to stay awake and do my job, and asking Him "Are you sure I wasn't born to be rich and idle, Lord? Are you sure I shouldn't be living in the Caribbean (where they have afternoon siestas)?" Well, flash forward to now, where retirement has finally allowed me the luxury of that afternoon nap whenever I want it! And I do still want it!! Thank You Lord for that delicious moment when I'm able to lay this tired body down in that wonderfully comfortable bed and close my tired eyes and drift away for my nap. I cherish that freedom!!

I'm also grateful for chocolate. I could write reams about chocolate. Thank You Lord for all the people everywhere around the world who do all the work to bring chocolate to my plate. I hope they know how much pleasure they bring to people like me.

Thank You Lord for clean water to drink. We've been places where there is none. We've eaten at tables in homes with no running water, with people who have to lug buckets and jugs for long distances in order to get water. It's so easy to take it for granted when it comes gushing out of a tap. I just want to say that I rarely ever take it for granted any more...and am always grateful to be able to take long quenching swallows of cold clean water...especially after eating chocolate. :))

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Solitude, China Revisited and Companions-along-the-way

Today I'm grateful for a quiet morning of solitude...sometimes even fun jaunts to run errands can be tiring. So I'm glad to have a lovely pocket of quiet time today.Thank you Lord for this beautiful morning, for the gentle breeze rustling through my tree and the sunlight warming its way through my window...the perfect morning to just "be".

I'm grateful that, even though the China thing might not work out and we'll probably lose our depost, we found out before we paid off the balance! And I'm grateful for a faith that tells me there's usually a good reason for things working out differently...remember Cuba 2006 - we couldn't get any bookings to work no matter how hard we tried, which was very unusual. So I listened to my gut and we didn't go. It turned out that my brother Gary was hospitalized and eventually died right during the time that we would have been in Cuba. I would have been crushed beyond imagination if I hadn't been able to be there for him. But because I listened to that inner voice, I was able to be there to cradle his head in my arms when he died. And I wouldn't trade that precious time with him for anything (except to have him back with us). Thank You Lord that I'm learning to listen and trust that everything really does work out for good...perhaps there's somewhere else that will be even better for us at this time...I look forward to seeing what You have in store for us.

I'm grateful for all the tough journeying and scrabbling through muck and mire of the past few years, because I love who I've become now. Does that sound narcissistic? I hope not. There's a genuine joy and elation in my heart to feel new energy, empowerment and healthy sense of well-being that have emerged from these very brutal stretches of road I've had to travel lately. One day at a time works well. Thank you Lord for being here with me every step and moment along this treacherous way, for sitting in the dirt with me in those moments when I didn't have the energy to keep going, for reminding me in so many wondrous ways that I am never alone. Stay close, we're still fumbling through more of this fall-out rubble...I'm so grateful for Your presence and sustenance.



Tuesday 29 May 2012

Stairs, China and Louis

Today I'm grateful because I was able to do something that I haven't been able to do for many, many years...I was able to RUN up the stairs! While stairs have not been a big problem to walk up or down, running up a whole flight of stairs has been impossible. So I not only ran up them once, I walked down and then ran back up a 2nd time!! Whoo hoo!! Thank You Lord for mended feet, knees that work and new energy I haven't had for many years!

I'm also grateful that we were able to book a tour to China in the fall. China has been at the top of the list of places that hubby wants to visit. His daughter was here a couple of weekends ago and gave us the name of a highly recommended tour agency, so we sent in a request for a quote, and it came back well within the budget we had set for ourselves, and so we booked! We haven't received confirmation yet, but I'm just so grateful that we have the means, time, energy and good health to be able to even contemplate such an adventure! I've come a long way since the days when I could barely afford to buy enough food to live on. Thank You Lord for all of the wonderful changes in my life over the past 20 years!!!

And I'm grateful today for Louis, Father Louis Caissie, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Besides being a compassionate, gifted pastor, Louis has also been one of the most faithful friends a person could ever hope to find. We met 30+ years ago and I am forever grateful for how richly Louis has blessed my life over these past 30 years. He even drove 15 hours to co-preside at our wedding...people still talk about how beautiful that wedding ceremony was. He truly blessed all of us with his words and presence. Thank You Lord for that wonderful day when you brought Louis into my life.

Monday 28 May 2012

Toilet paper and Independence

This morning I'm grateful for toilet paper...we travel, and many places we visit don't have what we have...one of the things we most appreciate when we return home is toilet paper.

I'm grateful that I have eyes to see the beautiful sunrise, ears to hear the chirping birds and legs to jump out of bed and open the window to let the fresh air and sunshine in.

I'm grateful that I no longer have to work...that I can look at the clock and then roll over and go back to sleep!

I'm grateful to have the energy to walk downstairs and make my own breakfast. Many won't be able to do that this morning, but have to wait in their beds until someone else remembers to come along and do it for them.

Sunday 27 May 2012

Gratitude is Contagious

I follow a friend's Gratitude Journal, and it always inspires me to find things in my own life to be grateful for. The problem is that there is SO MUCH to be grateful for, that I can't contain it. Thus this blog. I have another blog (Spirit Wings), but wanted to add this one specifically to express my gratitude for the various blessings in my life. So I'm going to come here every day (except when we're traveling and can't access the Internet) and add new thoughts to the list.

Today I'm grateful for all the amazing resources available on the Internet, for the beautiful people I meet here online and for how much they enrich my life through their stories and presence in my life.

I'm also grateful for my husband who delights in cooking supper, doing the laundry, and washing the dishes so that I can relax and do other things that he knows I enjoy doing.

And I'm grateful for all the years of typing classes in high school. It's serving me well now 40+ years later. :))