After work today, I went up to my bedroom and just laid in bed for over an hour. I had intended to take a nap, but couldn’t sleep so I just relaxed and read a little. I seldom get time alone, so today I’m grateful for an hour of quiet time all to myself.
Month: September 2014
Day 61 / Rain!
I know I’ve already done a gratitude post about rain, but we’ve gotten so much rain this week, it’s deserving of another post. I’m loving all this rain and am so thankful for it!
Day 60 / My Pop
Pop is Donovon’s father. He asked me to call him Pop the first time Donovon introduced me to him. I instantly felt like one of his daughters.
There is so much I admire about this man, it’s hard to know where to begin. Pop served in the Vietnam War as a helicopter door gunner. While there, he literally saved a soldier’s life by ripping out the passenger seat of the helicopter already full of wounded soldier’s to make room for one more. This soldier had been shot nine times. If Pop had not made room and pulled him in, the man would have surely died. He saved his life and that soldier is still alive today.
As a father and grandfather, Pop is full of love, kindness, and devotion. His heart is so big, his capacity for loving his ever-expanding family, whether of blood or not, is infinite. I recall the morning that I arrived in Houston after Daddy took a turn for the absolute worst. Pop was there and I fell into his arms in utter despair, and he held me up. I felt that he felt my pain and wanted desperately to take it from me.
Pop is a hero in every sense of the word. He is a man of honor and of deep love of God, family, and country. I’m honored to be his daughter-in-law and am forever grateful that he’s My Pop.
Pop, I love you very much.
Day 59 / Roses
Roses are my favorite flower. I find them so perfectly beautiful. Buds or in full bloom. Any color. I love them. We get fresh flowers delivered at the office every week. I admire all the arrangements, but I especially love when there are roses.
Roses are my dad’s favorite flower too. In fact, they remind me of my childhood when we had rose bushes out front. And now when I see them I’m reminded of my father even more. I’m grateful for their beauty and the sweet memories they provide.
Day 58 / Tracy & Nicole
That saying that it’s about quality not quantity certainly rings true with My Girls. We don’t get to see each other often, but when we do, we pick up right where we left off with the ease of wearing a favorite pair of jeans.
Tonight, I had drinks and dinner with My Girls, Tracy and Nicole. We’ve been friends for well over 15 years. We’ve been there for weddings, pregnancies, births, death, and divorce. I love My Girls. They are a part of my womanhood, my joy, and my soul.
I cherish our connection – the friendship, the good times, the laughter, and of course, the cocktails. 🙂 These ladies give me strength and comfort in knowing that we’re always there for each other, especially when we need each most. It’s always a great to spend time with them. I’m grateful for every moment.
Tracy and Nicole, I’m so thankful you’re in my life and I love you both so much.
Day 57 / A Productive Weekend
I had an incredibly productive weekend and I’m thankful that I accomplished at least 70% of my “To Do” list. Lucikly the weather cooperated and it was cold and rainy out, so it was the perfect time to hunker down and focus on organizing the house.
Day 56 / A Part of My Mother
Twelve years. That is the length of time that I got with my mother before she passed. It’s not much. Looking back, it was the blink of an eye.
I don’t have a lot of memories of her. And unfortunately, most of them are of her illness. But today, as I look down at my hands, I’m so thankful that they are her hands. When I look at them, I see Mommy’s hands. The hands that cared for the sick. The hands that nurtured and raised my sister and me for as long as they could.
I look at my hands and am thankful that I have a part of my mother. And I continue to do my best to carry on her legacy with them.
Day 55 / Spending Time with My Sister and Our Little Princesses
Tonight Ava and I went to my sister’s house to visit her and her girls. As I’ve said, I’m always grateful to spend time with family. These Little Princesses were in full effect tonight. Each of their personalities are so entertaining and adorable, and as I held Coralyse, listened to Lily and Evangeline arguing, helped Abigael with her dinner, and admired Ava in her princess gown, I just soaked it all in. They are our legacy, the fruit of so much love and joy.
I also enjoyed catching up with My Toot. We are both missing Daddy and needed some time to share that and feel connected to him through each other.
I’m grateful for spending this Friday night surrounded by my sister and all our Little Princesses.
Day 54 / The SLCS Girls
The SLCS Girls are girls – now women – that I went to Catholic school with. St. Louis Catholic School (SLCS), that is.
Now, most of us have not been in contact for over 20 years. But we reconnected through Facebook about 5 years ago and we’ve stayed in contact ever since, getting together three or four times a year at least.
The thing is, even though most of us went our separate ways after 8th grade, our connection runs deep. We grew up together. We knew each others’ parents and siblings. We came of age together. Therefore, when we get together now, as we learn more about each other as adults, our connection has strengthened.
It’s a bond that is difficult to explain. It’s truly unique in that I have no other friendships that match it. Tonight, we got together for a belated birthday celebration for me. Throughout the night, I kept thinking how fortunate I am to have reconnected with this group of women, not just the ones there tonight, but all the girls I went to Catholic school with.
I cherish these friendships and am truly grateful for The SLCS Girls.
Day 53 / Work
I had a pretty intense day at work. There were stressful moments, inspiring moments, and rewarding moments all with a high level of intensity. And through all of it, I found myself grateful for it. Some days are rough and some days are very gratifying. But I get to work with some incredible people and I appreciate all aspects of the job.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to teach, help others, and hopefully inspire.
Gratitude Daily 