9

Today I am thankful for:
Sand-covered five year olds
And their Papas who build sand castles with them
Rest
Sunshine
Cooling breezes

8

Tonight, I am grateful for
Dodging the storms
Witnessing Sara's achievements
Grace, grace - amazing grace
Rob
Possibilities

7

Tonight I am grateful for:

• a new office (with a window!)
• air conditioner repair guys (even when they're late)
• Rob's new schedule
• an enjoyable project at work
• icy cold water

6

Tonight I am grateful for:

• productive conversations
• happy kids
• a new routine
• online grocery shopping
• exercising my body

An attitude of gratitude

You may have noticed a trend on this here blog lately.

I've started an admittedly cheesy but entirely worthwhile habit: Spending a couple of minutes every night recalling a few things from the day for which I am grateful. This is not an even remotely original idea and if you really must know I got it from someone I heard on Oprah.

That's right, Oprah. I mean the woman must be doing something right, don't you think?

So anyway -- it seemed a good idea to me, this notion of purposely reflecting back on the good rather than the bad. I mean dwelling on the negative is a no-brainer, something I can fall into like a soft leather easy chair: comfortable, familiar, inviting. My mind lands there almost in spite of itself but I really have to wonder why, because it certainly doesn't do the rest of my body any favors. Knots in my stomach, a clenched jaw, tight shoulders, and a headache every night are not exactly the way I like to wrap up my day. But that's just what I've managed to do on more nights than I care to remember.

The interesting side effect is that I find myself a lot more mindful all day long of the many small things for which I truly am grateful. A particularly funny response from a three year old, puffy white clouds morphing across the sky, a freshly swept floor, an unexpected note from a friend -- all of these things really are fantastic if you think about them. All those little joys there for the taking, but only if you take the time to appreciate them.

Right now I am filthy, covered literally from head to toe in dust and dirt and pollen, but I couldn't be happier. It's my merit badge for a day well-spent, enjoying the sun and the breeze with my family and working the earth to finally realize years of dreams for this home of ours. I'm hungry after a day of working in a way that my desk job doesn't allow, but I'm thankful. The physical effort is a gift to my body. I'm tired, but I'm content. These weary bones have a cozy bed and soft pillow to crawl into tonight and are sure to get all the rest they need before another day begins tomorrow.

I'm filthy and hungry and tired, and couldn't be more grateful for it. What a blessing.

5

Tonight I am grateful for:

• a new visitor to our feeders
• beautiful new flowers in our landscape
• an unexpected sunny, cool day (perfect for planting!)
• an entire day spent with my family: Rob, Sara, Pants
• living in a neighborhood where I can hear church bells ringing
• good neighbors with great kids (perfect for Sara!)

4

Tonight I am grateful for

• cooperative hair
• successful new recipes
• tiny green leaves in the garden
• glimmers of teamwork
• the gift of another day

3

Tonight, I am grateful for

• a peaceful day at work
• easy laughter
• long-awaited answers
• peanut butter and crackers
• five-year-olds, especially the crazy one I live with

2

Tonight I am grateful

for music and how it moves me

for the end of this very long day

for sunshine, no matter how brief

for the excitement that (still) comes from watching (yet another) front roll in

for the chance to learn a little more about living, every single day

1

Tonight I am grateful for:

time set aside to breathe

laughing under a blanket with Sara

a simple dinner

my warm bed in a chilly room

the sound of the rain on the roof.