The above image is of a square metal lantern with a heart shaped opening cut in the front and back sides. A candle burns brightly inside the lantern and casts a large heart shaped glowing shadow on the wall of wood planks behind it. "I am grateful" is printed in three lines of white script on the left side of the images. The image source is unknown.*
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The deadline for posting this week's TToT post is only an hour away, and I have made a promise to myself this year that I would write a gratitude post every week barring something beyond my control. This week, the past couple really, have been both busy and chaotic and it seems that I am failing to stay on top of the things that are important to me. But this is one commitment that I really want to keep, so I am dropping in to write down a few thoughts before the eleventh hour...
On this last night in October I am thankful for the many sweet memories of Halloween as a child and when my own two children were young. It has always been one of my favorite holidays because it doesn't require huge amounts of money to have fun. People tend to let the guard down a little bit and there are many reasons to smile.
My adult nephew went pheasant hunting with father and brother and a group of relatives last weekend. It was the first day of pheasant hunting season in South Dakota, and it was windy, making oral communication between members of the hunting party a little difficult. They had been hunting for only forty minutes when one of the other young hunters accidentally shot my nephew with his shotgun. Four pellets struck him in the arm and shoulder and one struck just an inch below his left eye. I am so very thankful that something that could have caused blindness, very serious injury, or even death, instead resulted in only some bleeding, pain and temporary discomfort... and pellets which will be removed by a plastic surgeon this coming Friday.
My niece celebrated her 42nd birthday this week, and I am so very thankful for all the good God has brought to her life in the past two years after her undergoing some truly difficult times and experiences. She has a wonderful boyfriend who loves her dearly, a house full of furkids, a job she is proud of, and is at last feeling better physically. I am happy to see her happy again. She deserves that!
I am thankful for my daughter who drove from Dallas to spend several days with us for the first time in a long time, since she was living in Nashville until recently. She is in the process of removing our old carpeting and vinyl flooring in the living room/kitchen and hallways, and replacing it with vinyl plank flooring which is beautiful and perfect for our home and lifestyle. It's hard work and yet we are also finding time for fun and lots of good conversation. I am also thankful for the lessons I am learning about the relationship I had with my own mother, put in the new perspective of me being in the mother role now.
On that note, I am thankful for all the life lessons I am given that show me how things I said, did or experienced in my past might have been handled differently if I would have been more understanding, more kind and compassionate. That's something I work harder to be now, it's important to me that someday I will be remembered for being kind and caring, any just maybe that is still possible.
It's late, time to get this posted and head for bed. Tomorrow is another busy day here. I just wanted to drop by and reaffirm, that life is good. No matter what, it's all good!
Blessings to you in the days ahead... Look for reasons to be thankful in your life, and remember to be a blessing to someone else!
The above photo is a click-button to the TToT link-up. It is photo of one of our beautiful Texas sunsets with blue still peeking through the clouds; yellow, orange and pink bands around the remaining sliver of bright sun, and a wide band of black earth below it on which I've written Ten Things of Thankful.*
On this last night in October I am thankful for the many sweet memories of Halloween as a child and when my own two children were young. It has always been one of my favorite holidays because it doesn't require huge amounts of money to have fun. People tend to let the guard down a little bit and there are many reasons to smile.
My adult nephew went pheasant hunting with father and brother and a group of relatives last weekend. It was the first day of pheasant hunting season in South Dakota, and it was windy, making oral communication between members of the hunting party a little difficult. They had been hunting for only forty minutes when one of the other young hunters accidentally shot my nephew with his shotgun. Four pellets struck him in the arm and shoulder and one struck just an inch below his left eye. I am so very thankful that something that could have caused blindness, very serious injury, or even death, instead resulted in only some bleeding, pain and temporary discomfort... and pellets which will be removed by a plastic surgeon this coming Friday.
My niece celebrated her 42nd birthday this week, and I am so very thankful for all the good God has brought to her life in the past two years after her undergoing some truly difficult times and experiences. She has a wonderful boyfriend who loves her dearly, a house full of furkids, a job she is proud of, and is at last feeling better physically. I am happy to see her happy again. She deserves that!
I am thankful for my daughter who drove from Dallas to spend several days with us for the first time in a long time, since she was living in Nashville until recently. She is in the process of removing our old carpeting and vinyl flooring in the living room/kitchen and hallways, and replacing it with vinyl plank flooring which is beautiful and perfect for our home and lifestyle. It's hard work and yet we are also finding time for fun and lots of good conversation. I am also thankful for the lessons I am learning about the relationship I had with my own mother, put in the new perspective of me being in the mother role now.
On that note, I am thankful for all the life lessons I am given that show me how things I said, did or experienced in my past might have been handled differently if I would have been more understanding, more kind and compassionate. That's something I work harder to be now, it's important to me that someday I will be remembered for being kind and caring, any just maybe that is still possible.
It's late, time to get this posted and head for bed. Tomorrow is another busy day here. I just wanted to drop by and reaffirm, that life is good. No matter what, it's all good!
Blessings to you in the days ahead... Look for reasons to be thankful in your life, and remember to be a blessing to someone else!
* Descriptions of the included photos are being provided for those who may be unable to view the illustrations.
Life is good, indeed!
ReplyDeleteYes it is! No matter how many struggles and difficulties we encounter, I am a firm believer that life is still a blessing if we learn to appreciate what we've been given!
DeleteThank heaven your nephew was not seriously injured, and many blessings to your daughter for helping you with the flooring.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much beauty and happiness in the world, plenty to go around, and i'm glad you are getting a portion!
I was very relieved that my nephew was relatively unharmed, it could have been a tragedy! My daughter is the best, she has helped me with so many things and always has great ideas and new products to share!
DeleteNot every days is fun and easy in life, but overall I am so content with the life I have now, I realize how blessed I am! :-)
That is a great list. I am glad you are enjoying some mother/daughter time. Also glad your niece is doing so well. I love Halloween too. Enjoy the rest of your week. XO
ReplyDeleteIt ended up being a long stretch of work days as we did the floor, Ellen, but we grew closer in the process and we got it done! When she returns to work we won't have that much time to share, so I am grateful we could do it now.
DeleteI am very happy for my niece too. Her life has been anything but easy and yet she continues to move forward and create new happiness. She is a survivor and I am so proud of her!
Halloween is fun, I wish we lived where children came around. Out here in the country we rarely have visitors, which I like just fine most the time. ;-)
Scary hunting accident. Good to hear it was not too serious. Sounds links your niece has much to celebrate. Wonderful to have such a thoughtful and talented daughter. I know she is happy to now be closer to you and can visit and help you and Papa Bear. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteOops. Links should be like.
DeleteThat was so very scary, Patricia, he could easily have been blinded... or worse! His guardian angels were clearly present that day!
DeleteI am so glad that my niece has finally found new happiness in her life and is much loved by her boyfriend and her furry rescued family in assorted sizes and shapes. :-)
My daughter is the best, she has such a giving heart. Now we need to pray that she can find a good job that feels right in Dallas!
Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate your caring! XOXO
That is terrible. I am glad he is okay. Sounds like it could have been so much worse.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a wonderful time with your daughter and you all got some work done too to make your home even more liveable.
Another good reason to never take life or those we love for granted. That day could have gone horribly wrong, as it is he will have a story to tell, and a shotgun pellet that he will carry with him for life because it is too deep to safely remove.
DeleteMy daughter's gift of the new flooring and installation was so amazing! It was badly needed and suits us perfectly. Doing it together as a labor of love makes it all that much more appreciated!