My swollen heart
Sunday afternoon as I sat out on the patio listening to the waterfall gurgle and the birds chirp and warble as they flitted from the waterfall to the birdbath to the flower-covered vines decorating our back fence, an overwhelming sense of gratitude came over me.
Out of nowhere, my heart swelled with gratitude for my crazy house and overgrown yard and that, despite a house payment that doubled when we bought this house -- and the stress accompanying it when we both lost our jobs relatively soon after -- this is the place Jim and I plan to call home for the rest of our days. I love my house. I’m so grateful for my house.
Yes, it’s a material thing. But this material thing makes me happy and content … and grateful.
After a week of thinking about, writing about, cussing about all the things I think suck in my life, all the things I worry endlessly about, it was nice to suddenly, inexplicably realize a plethora of things for which I’m grateful. Things I’m blessed with that truly trump all the fears, doubts, worries and complaints I let get in my way each and every day.
I’m grateful my family – immediate and extended – has never suffered a true tragedy. We often succumb to fear and trembling over imagined tragedies when the reality is that we have been tragedy free and have it pretty darn good.
I’m grateful I was laid off and given the opportunity to consider and pursue a career path that matters to me.
I’m grateful for Jim, who supports that career path even though it means far less money than the one I previously fell into. I'm grateful for Jim for countless other reasons, too.
I’m grateful my girls grew into such lovely, amazing, thoughtful, intelligent, empathetic women … something I never thought would happen while in the throes of the teen years.
I’m grateful for Bubby. And that I get to see him more often than some long-distance grandparents get to see their grandchildren. And that Megan and Preston happily share him with me -- a consideration not all grandparents are afforded.
I’m grateful Megan and Preston are doing the right thing by my grandchild -- another thing not afforded all grandparents.
I’m grateful for a twisted childhood because it twisted me into an unusual shape. It may be a weird shape, but it’s different. And different is good.
I’m grateful that Jim and I continue to have the money we need. Plus some. Plus lots, considering what many others have.
I’m grateful for those who read what I write, who act like the gunk and junk that flows from my head to my fingers and onto the page and screen is worth reading.
I’m grateful for the unexpected gratitude that filled me up, made me consider what matters, what’s important and what’s worth being grateful for.
Photo credit: stock.xchng
Today's question:
What are you grateful for today?
Monday, September 20, 2010
Reader Comments (14)
I'm grateful for a wonderful husband and two wonderful kids :-)
A job I look forward to doing (98% of the time)
Parents who were "normal."
Decent health
The ability to support a family
So many things!
What a wonderful post!!! I'm grateful for so many things and no matter how bad things get, I always try to remember that I am still somebody's wish.
KATHY: Great list! There's much to be said for looking forward to your job 98% of the time! And for "normal" parents! :oD
MBA: I love, love, love that! Think I'll be tweeting your "wish" comment as my fave comment of the day!
Good morning Lisa (and everyone!);
I love this post, because I don't stop and think about the "good stuff" in my life nearly often enough. I'm grateful for family. Also grateful for for friends, especially those friends who are still there for me when I'm not being a good person (and there have been those days!).
I'm grateful for the "miracles" that have come along in my life. That "miracle" when my son was misdiagnosed with cancer, and after 3 weeks, we got that new and much better diagnosis. And that "miracle" when my partner had the worst kind of stroke (hemorrhagic) and lived through it. Yes, very very grateful!
Thanks for this post today, Lisa. Along with a couple tears, I'm smiling now!
Terri
I used to keep a gratitude journal. It was corny but often reminded me that even if life seemed like a pile of cuss, there were still plenty of things right in it.
I am grateful for my significant other for making my life easier. I am grateful for friends who do the same. I am grateful for the Internet that lets me reach out to people I might not get to see or talk to for a long time.
Just what I needed to read today.
I'm thick in the middle of sandwich generation heartache today. Wanting oh so much to be home for my daughter's four day visit (she hasn't been home since June) here to celebrate her 21st birthday and me having to be away caring for my aging parents due to a last minute extended family emergency. She will be driving to my home while I am having to drive away.
So today....
I will be grateful for my beautiful 21 year old daughter who wants to come home to celebrate her birthday with her parents, siblings, and her ten nieces and nephews.
For still having my aging parents here on earth with me whose physical bodies limit them but their hearts and minds are still so full of humor, love, and wisdom.
And that I have the health, strength, time, and means to give back to those who gave me life!
I'm grateful for having been able to actually see and touch (hug) more than half my children, two of my beautiful grand-daughters, and talk on the phone with another daughter. Happy that you, Lisa, enjoy your home so much and grateful, overall, that all of you survived your childhood.
I am grateful for everything in my life right now. I am not rich but very comfortable. And like you I have a swelling in my heart knowing that my children are doing okay in their lives and that they are GOOD people. I am also grateful that everyone I love is doing well in their lives.
I'm grateful for all of YOU and your heartfelt, honest comments! Very cool "attitude of gratitude" going on!
What a fabulous post Lisa! I feel gratitude for my health, my family, and my faith which has helped me during hard times.
I am grateful for:
A job that matters
A husband that gets me (most of the time)
A daughter with a disability (so I can see the world through her eyes and understand how blessed I truly am)
Reasonably good health
An attitude of humor so that I can enjoy the blessings I have!
What a beautiful post, Lisa! I know that feeling and it's one of the best feelings in the world!
Let's see, today I'm grateful for the people I work with. They make an otherwise crazy place worth showing up to every day. I'm grateful for the sound of wind (growing up in Oklahoma, the sound of wind feels like home). I'm grateful for a husband that puts up with...well... a lot. I'm grateful that my sister is allowing me to be a big part of her wedding planning (even when it is rather obvious at times that she's turned into a complete lunatic). And I'm grateful for YOU and for your friendship, which means so much to me.
HUGS!
I got an email from my girl who's away at college today. It said, "I miss you mama. And I love you." That's what I'm thankful for today.
I'm very grateful for a God who loves me no matter what, for my husband of 41 years who does the same, for three beautiful children, their spouses and our nine grandchildren. I'm grateful for a mother who will be turning 99 in November and still has a good mind. I'm praying that she, in all of her excitement about her upcoming birthday party, will still be with me on her birthday. My sister, Jane, is coming home for the party, as well as her triplets, Paula and their spouses. I wish Ann and some of you kids could come.
I, too, love my old country home that we've been in for the past 2-1/2 years and for the beautiful work my husband did in remodeling the house. I'm glad you're happy, Lisa. I am too. I'm very happy and grateful to have a wonderful niece like you. I love you.