Gratitude

Well we’ve been here over a week and it has been non stop since we got here. After our flying day hitting the ground running with parade day, we began the week by hanging Christmas lights on our parents house, putting up their Christmas tree and decorating their inside making sure they get to enjoy the holidays. We’ve done lots of Christmas shopping, I surprised my ladies bible study groups Christmas party, I’ve done a lot of gift wrapping, we went to our friends Christmas party, we’ve had two dinners with two separate groups of friends, I got my hair done, I took two granddaughter’s for mani pedis, took my husband for oral surgery to finish his implant they started before we moved, we got the oil changed in our car, we took our daughter and her family to see fantasy lights and today we will be baking cookies. It has been a very full but fun and festive nine days and our next seven days is even more full of lunch and dinner dates with various friends, we have another baking day coming up to prepare for our Christmas dinner in which we will celebrate our Christmas together on the nineteenth, Gene has his follow up dentist appointment, I have a doctor appointment, we have our grandchildren’s band concert and have to get our windshield replaced in our car before we head back home. There is not an empty spot on our calendar. We are going to need a couple of days of rest when we get home. Phew!!

Even though it has been extremely busy it has all been good and we really feel blessed to have our family and so many good friends. Life has always had its ups and downs but through everything we have been through and trust me when I say it’s been a lot, we have always counted every single blessing. Our motto is to always try and look at our life as the cup half full, we never take for granted all that we have.

This week we will also take the time to go visit our sons grave. It has been twenty five and a half years since he went to be with the Lord, we think about him every single day and reflect back on the sixteen years we were gifted with having him. Life is short, enjoy every minute. Be silly, laugh a lot and be present taking in each moment. I know we don’t always remember to do that but we should try and be more mindful of the gift of each day.

In saying that My only complaint is that it has been very cold and wet since we arrived and we do not like this weather at all, this is just one of the many reasons we made the choice to move, so my gratitude is that I am thankful for the new home we have where we get to return to the warm sunshine, but while we are here we are enjoying every moment we have with family and friends in spite of the yucky weather.

So get out there and take in some lights, it will definitely get you in the holiday spirit. Wherever you live there is so much beauty in everything around us. I know with the last almost two years now of this pandemic and job losses and some people losing loved ones it has been a very hard year for so many, and for some it may be more difficult than for others, I pray for all to find peace and joy this Christmas season. I know it’s not always easy to do but we must stop and take the time to just be grateful for all the good things we have been given. I’m ever so grateful for all of you who take time out of your day to read about our journey. Thank you for including us in your world.