100 Days of Gratitude

I am grateful because I get to pick up some perennials I ordered from a church youth group......and maybe even think about planting them in a week or so!

5/17- grateful to be home today and for having having the energy and clarity to work on some spring cleaning!

I'm grateful that I realize there are many different types of people with different backgrounds in the world and know we should respect and not judge.

Susie, when people start going on tangents and I am tempted to chime in with my two cents, I remember the quote, "You don't need to attend every argument you are invited to." That usually causes me step away from the controversy and move on to threads that are more positive and uplifting (like this one).

Day 137 (5/17): Grateful for some wonderful people who generously donated money so DD could receive 2 scholarships. The event was wonderful. We were told they gave away a total of more than $250K in scholarships last night to over 300 recipients. We were seated with this wonderful couple who were the donors for one of her scholarships (there were 3 other recipients for that particular one seated with us), this couple was very important as we were seated front and center of the room. Grateful DH went too and even arrived before us. The only male recipient for this award, was a bit upset because his dad (who was supposed to be his +1) decided at the last minute to attend a local hockey game instead of the banquet and appeared to be a bit let down. DH got to see how this really affects our kids because he usually cancels at the last moment and was genuinely happy he attended this event. 

Grateful I'm missing all the drama on BCO. 

Cheryl: there will be other times...

Grateful for friends , here and face to face

Lovely picture!

Grateful for another nice day & some time to work a little in the yard. I'm trying to restrain from planting annuals until after next weekend because my dad (who was a master gardener) always issued dire warning of planting flowers (in this part of the country) before Memorial Day.....I know he will haunt me if I try it!

gorgeous pic, thanks for sharing.

I am grateful to my DH for keeping up with the housework as I recover from surgery.

Thank you ladies for the congratulatory notes. I am also grateful for each one of you!

Red, thank you for the photo of the beautiful, happy couple!

Grateful that Ann is recovering and getting help at home.

Day 138 (5/18): Grateful for a bit of a redirection in my job search even if it came at 2 am earlier today.

Have you every read the children's book, The Velveteen Rabbit? I don't know that it is so much for children as adults could learn a lot as well. The pristine stuffed Rabbit was a Christmas gift in a child's stocking. He was placed in the child's room along with other toys. One of those toys was an old rocking horse originally given to the child's uncle. The rocking horse is worn and tattered. Before long the rocking horse becomes a mentor to the rabbit. Let's listen to the story,

What is real asked the rabbit? Real isn't how you are made, said the skin horse. It is a thing that happens to you when a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become real. Does it hurt asked the rabbit? Sometimes, said the skin horse for he was always truthful. When you are real you don't mind being hurt. Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, he asked, bit by bit? It doesn't happen all at once, said the skin horse. You become. It takes a long time. That is why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all because once your are real, you can't be ugly except to people who do not understand."

My husband calls those folks who haven't experienced life or hardship "unformed". They haven't become who they are capable of being. They are shallow and vapid. They just aren't "real" yet. I am reminded of story someone recently told me about when she got breast cancer and reorganized out of her job at the same time. Imagine the stress of that? The good news was that she got a new job with the same company. The new manager was young and ambitious. She explained to him that she was going to have to have surgery, chemo, etc. He could not understand why she could not fly across the country and spend 3 weeks away from home for training during her treatment. She told me she did not wish him ill; but wondered what would happen when something bad hit his life. Would he change his values, priorites, etc.? Would he become real?

As I look at all these scars on myself I could be sad that I am not what I originally was. My mental health training taught me it is healthy to morn loss. And I am sure I will do some of that. But I do not wish to spend too long a time in that zone. I choose to look at those scars and recognise what it takes to accept myself as I am today. Through this experience I have felt more loved than I thought possible. I may be scarred; worn and tattered, but well loved. I guess that makes me "real". 

Those of us in this "club" must take strength from one another, love from friends and peace from knowing ourselves. Thank you for your comments. I am one week post surgery and this was the first time I felt like moving beyond the physical level or pain and fatigue to a higher purpose. You affirmed that choice.

Pink Carnation, sorry you have to be here, but you've found the right place. Together we are our own community, you are a welcomed member! Please remember there are lots of threads, many to vent and whine freely if needed. PM me if you need suggestions. 

Pinkcarnation - beautifully written

Grateful today being here and feeling well

Red, your day sounds wonderful, and I too love that quote about the argument and I hope you had a Victoria sponge to go with Victoria Day, of course now I've said it I now want a Victoria sponge Onco this morning we had a sub In my dance class, after class she asked me if I was independently wealthy, I laughed and asked her why and she said she sees me on FB go all over the place to different classes, I had to break it to her that sadly no it's just that I'm single and free and self employed and can go where I please, but it's interesting how people perceive us.

Today grateful for the most amazing sunset I witnessed as I drove home along PCH.