Abundance of gratitude

for Saturday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...tomorrow and not having to work
...for not working,  blesses me to be able to go to church
...not once but twice, the second time...for a proud mama moment
...as my daughter has choreographed the Christmas play
...and tomorrow, I will nourish my spirit in more ways than one
...a day when life can get no better

Jack Jonas, gone but not forgotten

 

1931 - December 4th 2012

What a blessing, for me that our paths crossed...for the short three months, I was blessed to care for you.  What I came away, with made me feel like I knew you a life time.  You were charming, thoughtful, kind, humorous and there was such a sweetness about you.

I learned a little Dutch, we shared a comonality of how World War 2,  affected both of us in one way or another.  You, for you knew first hand what it was,  growing up  as a young child in Holland. I as my grandfather was a Holocaust survivor from Poland.  You shared with me, your knowledge and love of flowers. You would always point them out to me on our walks.

You will always have a place in my heart...God needed you and now the heavens are blessed with you.

Soul nourishing music

There are defining moments in ones life. Seven years ago a song on the radio was one for me. At that time...I had been diagnosed with colon cancer and six months of chemotherapy soon followed. The emotional part of cancer had many facets; at different parts of the journey. The time preceding surgery I felt so overwhelmed with the total loss of control...I felt, over my life. Then there was the chemotherapy which was so physically debilitating and beyond emotionally draining. So much so that there were times that I felt I could no longer continue chemo.

My days were filled with just trying to make it, until the good week. A good week was the week that I did not have to endure 4 hours of chemo (on a good chemo day) and all the horrid side effects. Chemo did not end when I walked out the door of the infusion room...for then I would go home with a pump for 2 days. Living for the every other week was the bain of my existence. Then this one blessed day I heard, Hips Don't Lie...on the radio. From the first moment I heard that song; it brought a such a spark of life into my spirit and I didn't want to let go of it...as it was a feeling like no other. My sister blessed me with the CD and every time I got in the car; I so felt the music that I played it over and over and over again...as loud as I could.

For a brief few minutes in time I was once again able to embrace all that I was and for a mere second chemo...was only a distant memory.

Abundance of gratitude

for Saturday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...unopened mail from yesterday, that brought with it; a check for $69 and a coupon from my dealer for a $19.95 oil change...both which could not have come at a most needed time

Abundance of gratitude

for Friday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...a calm spirit
...forgiveness, for without it I would not have been able to have a cohesive, never been in a better place, at peace relationship with my ex

Abundance of gratitude

for Sunday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...a most awesome God who carried my broken spirit, until I was no longer broken and now continues to walk beside me
...the blessing of being able to embrace once again, everything that once defined me but for one moment in time, was not forever lost...but just tightly guarded in my heart

I have come such a long way

 

God is beyond amazing.

 He carried me...out of the darkness.

  He held me up... until I saw the light.

 He embraced me...when I was so very lost.

He held my hand...every step of the way,

 especially when I did not know Him.

He blessed me with new beginnings.

   He answered my prayers...when He graced my path,

with that which I thought;,

 I would never again be capable of again.

 

Abundance of gratitude

for Friday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
... $25 Staples reward coupon
... $10 CVS extra care bucks
... 20% off  coupon, which I used at the car dealer today... for my front brakes, new tires, oil change and one broken brake light
...$10.50 in rolled pennies
...my soon coming 2% annual rebate from Costco

for Saturday
Today I am grateful for
...a Old Navy cowl neck sweater for only .99 cents at...The 99 Cents Only Store

Abundance of gratitude

for Saturday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...my own bed to sleep in
...eyebrow tweezers
...a scissors to cut my bangs and a razor to shave my legs

You take these things for granted...until they are taken away from you for 10 days.

Abundance of gratitude

for Tuesday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...this blessed Saturday coming and all it brings. For this will be a day of a college graduation, celebration, family and for this proud mama...a day of immense gratitude.

Abundance of gratitude

for Friday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am immensely grateful for another year of milestones
...another blessed year of five...that cancer did not return
...a year in which I was so very blessed to to see my youngest daughter turn 21 and my first born turn 30

Abundance of gratitude

for Thursday
To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...the son who had the internet hooked up. For even though he lives far...far...away; I will now be able to see my precious grandchildren...every time he uploads a new picture.

Abundance of gratitude

To keep me grounded is to myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...the blessings that a rather substantial bonus from work brings

A lovely soon to be unexpected blessing

I have been buying cage free eggs from the market.


What could be even better...cage free eggs, not from the market but from one who raises chickens.

Abundance of gratitude...

for Tuesday

To keep me grounded is to remind myself of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am immensly grateful (more than words can express) for
...the new health care bill and the daughter who is now covered under my health insurance from work until she is 26

My heart felt thank you...President Obama

Those who are so precious to me...

have become

two amazing young women

and I am so very blessed to be their mama.

Abundance of gratitude...

for Saturday

To keep me grounded, is to remind myself, of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...the clarity to see
...the wisdom to accept
...and the grace to evolve

One of those moments that takes your breath away

Around 6 months ago I watched a documentary on Netflix...The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill. I lived in the bay area many moons ago when I was 19 and fell in love with Northern CA. The mere mention of the bay area drew me to this documentary; those amazing creatures kept me captivated.

Fast forward to 6 weeks ago. My daughter tells me she has seen green parrots flying around and immediately I remember. Have they migrated south...was my first thought; or could they be our very own southern CA wild parrots.
You know when they are close to being overhead, as there is this loud choir of screeching; before getting close. The sound has become music to my ears. For if I step outside, I can catch a glimpse of my very own flock of wild parrots.

Abundance of gratitude...

for Saturday

To keep me grounded, is to remind myself, of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am so very grateful, for
...the blessing that health insurance brings

Abundance of gratitude...

for Tuesday

To keep me grounded, is to remind myself, of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...reconnecting with a long lost friend