I am thankful for the A to Z Blogging Challenge that takes place in April each year. Although I'm having to scramble a bit to get my posts done during this first week while we are on vacation, I am enjoying the theme I've chosen and the kind responses to my stories; and I am looking forward to more time in the days and weeks ahead to get around and read what my friends are sharing for the Challenge, and to meet some new blogging friends too!
I am thankful for eye glasses that enable me to see beautiful things and places, and even tiny bugs, and make it possible for me to read and use my iPhone and tablet. Without glasses I would be unable to read anything but jumbo print, and even that would probably be fuzzy.
I am thankful for high-tech hearing aids that enable me to hear birds singing and my kitties meowing, Papa Bear's words, phone calls, the television, and group conversations. Without them I would live in a very muffled and isolated world.
I am thankful for the ability to speak, to express myself, to make my wants, needs known, to take charge of situations when required, to offer encouragement, and to speak out against things and situations I perceive as wrong. Although I love written communication most, there are still things I really want to say out loud, and conversations I want to have with people who are dear to me.
I am thankful for hands and fingers that, despite being old and sometimes a bit stiff and sore, enable me to prepare food for us, to sew, crochet and cross-stitch; and to spend time at the keyboard blogging and connecting with people I care about via email and social media.
I am thankful for my creaky knees and ankles that still enable me to drive, to shop for groceries, and to get where I need to go, including up and down stairs if there are handrails and I go very slowly and carefully. Mobility is a priceless gift and I do not take it lightly.
I am thankful for my sometimes forgetful mind that still enables me to compose written pieces, to organize our household and keep track of needs and finances, to think and to ponder, and to focus on the things that are important to my heart and soul.
I am thankful for my heart, that has been beating for more than sixty-three years without fail, and continues to provide my body and brain with a life-maintaining supply of blood. To me, our hearts are the most miraculous part of our bodies, their endurance defies mere scientific explanation.
I am thankful for the gift of restful sleep, and being able to sleep a little longer in the mornings than I did when I was working. Sleep is so restorative to body and mind, and it feels great to wake up ready to begin a new day and see what it holds, or to take a short nap and awake refreshed. I realize that I am blessed to be able to sleep soundly most nights.
I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who agrees with my concept of what a fun vacation would be. We find pleasure in experiencing new places together as well as returning to places we love. We both enjoy road trips. We make a point of scheduling in plenty of time for relaxation, because for us a vacation isn't supposed to be go, go, go!
I'll be back next week to share some photos and highlights of our Louisiana trip. I'm going to spend the next couple days enjoying the smell of salt air, the sound of the ocean in my ears, and burying my toes in soft beach sand.
Blessings to you in the remaining days of this week. Keep your eye out for reasons to be thankful, and remember to be a blessing to someone else!
Wow, so many things. Grateful.
ReplyDeleteI used to love the clarity of my world when I put my glasses on my face. Then, one day, they were useless. But I will always be grateful they helped me see just a little more for as long as they did.
The human heart really is amazing. All the organs of the body are. I never knew how amazing the kidneys were and what all they did for the body until mine quit on me and I felt so sick all the time.
Enjoy that salty air and sound of the waves. Can't wait to hear about it all next week.
I think it all comes back to not fully appreciating what we have until it begins to fail us, Kerry. I wish there was an easier way to learn, but the process of overcoming makes us so much stronger. Our bodies may deteriorate due to medical issues or time, but our spirits will continue to strive and grow until they are at last set free. You are an amazing example of that!
DeleteThe ocean was lovely, the sand was so soft that it felt like powder beneath my feet. I wish I could have sent you a big box of it to feel!
Hugs, and prayers that you are enjoying yourself hugely and have a safe trip home!
ReplyDeleteMost definitely we did enjoy ourselves, Mimi! Your part of the country was amazing. How I love those oak trees! 1825 miles of roadtime, and safely home again.
DeleteI'm glad, on vacation you are thankful for, well, for you! Who you are and what you can do. Our bodies and minds are there for us and you put things in wonderful perspective when I am reminded of how long my heart has been beating. I admire your tenacity in blogging when on vacation and I think sometimes our minds are more open to creativity when they are relaxed and in new environments. I have been enjoying your photos on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteHearts fascinate me, Val, the ultimate perpetual motion machine, and even if they stop or are stopped intentionally, they can be restarted again! I cold easily have written a book sitting there in the restful beauty of the salt air, but I didn't want to leave Papa Bear without company, so we spent our time together, and loved every bit of it! I had fun sharing our adventure on Facebook. :-)
DeleteI love how you see the blessing and beauty in things like stiff fingers and creaky knees because you recognize what those things mean, and see what they are still able to do. I often think that when my RA is bad - yeah, I'm feeling poorly, but so many others are so much worse and I can still do XYZ...
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying your vacation - love seeing the pics! xo
Exactly, Lisa, even though some of my choices are more limited as I grow older and my body wears out, I will never be imprisoned by it, because there will always be something I can do, something I can say, and some way to share it! I have it easy compared to so many. Vacation walking, stair climbing, and riding in the truck for long hours really challenged my pain levels, but it was ultimately so worth it, and I'm getting back to my usual state now that we are home again. Taking photos to share makes it just that much more fun!
DeleteWonderful things to be thankful for and most that we so often take for granted that are truly gifts of grace.
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely true, Patricia, we never even give them a second thought when we are younger. Now I am so grateful that I am still able to do the things I love with a little help and accommodation, and when/if the day comes I can't, I will find other things that I can enjoy. Adapting to our ever-changing lives is perhaps or biggest challenge and test of faith.
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