I am grateful

I am grateful that through all the trials and tribulations of life each experience has brought with it gifts.  Sometimes I don't get to know what those gifts are for quite a while.  Other times I have an "aha" moment nearly right away.  "Oh, that's what I am going to gain/learn from this experience."

 Nature seeks a balance, so that for every negative there is a positive.  If I focus too often on the negatives I can miss the positives.

When I keep my eyes and ears open for the good things in life they will appear - not always on my time schedule.  But they will be there.  Sometimes huge, other times little packages.  Only time can tell me what they will be worth.

Life isn't easy.  But every struggle can either make me more disillusioned and bitter or more grateful for survival and stronger.

I am grateful that I have lived long enough to learn that I may not be able to change my situation/other people but I can make nearly everything in my life change by changing my behavior, thoughts and attitude. How lucky is that?

Today I am grateful for snow, which we rarely get. It let me play with my 3 children all week since school was canceled. We sat around the fire all week, making grilled cheese and tomato soup. I kept the dryer going to keep gloves warm as the kids kept sledding..we called it redneck bobsledding...using laundry baskets and trashcan lids to get down the hills.

I am grateful for the loving mothers who treasure their children, and have joy playing with them. Foots, I hope you are keeping warm???

I am grateful that I am carried by a loving God, who breathed life into me. I am grateful for the new day.

I am grateful my son went to school today with no fuss.

I am grateful for his great teachers.

I am grateful that I can see the sky is wide open, tomorrow is unwritten, and my spirit is alive to see the beauty of today.

I am grateful for my DD, DH and DS who have gotten me through some of the most difficult moments of my life.  I am grateful for foots who prays for me everyday.  I am grateful for all the friends I've made at BCO for listening when I needed them to listen, praying and being my friend. I will never forget the support I've received here.

I am grateful the storm that came through wasn't as bad as expected.

I am grateful for the hugs I got today...

I am grateful for you Foots.  You child-like faith serves as an example to us to seek out our blessings, no matter how bleak things may appear.  Your ability to be grateful for all the blessings in your life inspire me more than you will ever know.  I love you and praying for your healing (and heat!).

I am grateful for this day and the beauty in it, even in moments as fleeting as a snowflake.

I am grateful it was a snow day, and school was cancelled, so I could spend the day with my son.

I am grateful for the uplifting spirits here.

We are going into the deep freeze again this week and I am so grateful for a warm place and warm friends.

I am grateful that Foots has her heat back!

I am grateful for you all here who bring comfort, laughter, and encouragement. You lift up my spirit.

I am so happy about your heat, Foots!!