Ladybug's Lair: Giving Thanks

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Giving Thanks

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.

Have you used one to say 'thank you?'"

William A. Ward

I woke up today with a clear mind, still physically able to do many things. Because I had an education, I am able to read, write, and work with numbers. I've had fulfilling, meaningful jobs, which have extended into volunteerism. I have been able to envision and create with my hands many items of function and beauty. I have been able help others with time, talents, and money.

I am privileged

My husband and I found each other and remain in a loving relationship after all these years. We have worked long and hard to build a life together. We have a roof over our heads with heat in the winter and cooling breezes in the summer; we have enough to eat and ample fresh water every single day. We have been able to expand our horizons through travel.

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was,

'thank you,'

that would suffice."

Meister Eckhart

I have enough

I am surrounded by family and friends who care - people I can depend on, if needed. I was fortunate to grow up in an honest, stable, hard-working family. I share the joy of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and feasts and also the sorrow of illnesses, accidents, tragedies and deaths. I have said a final goodbye to one sister and both parents; I have held a new-born grandchild.

I am content

I spend time outdoors where I am able to see the mountains, hear the ocean, smell the flowers, and feel the wind. I have discovered, observed, studied - and shared my life with - a great many other creatures. I have experienced sunrises, crystal-clear days, sunsets, star-studded nights, lunar and solar eclipses, thunderstorms, blizzards, gently rains, searing heat, and countless other phenomena that I regularly take for granted. I live in a world too beautiful, awesome, and powerful to fully understand and I cherish each and every day that I am allowed to remain here.