Counting blessings
I woke up this morning.
I opened my eyes and although blurry, I could see the walls of pinkish hue around me. Though still dark, I could see the frames on the wall containing beautiful memories of days gone by with the loves of my life.
I could hear the sweet chirping of birds in the trees in my garden, already starting their busy day.
I could feel the soft warmth of my bed, then the heat of a warm shower that soothed the aches and pains of my body telling me I'm still alive.
I could smell then taste the sweet and bitter flavor of the Italian coffee made in the comfort of my warm kitchen.
Thanks to technology no one dreamed of when I was young, I could avoid traffic caused by an overturned tractor trailer and arrive at work on time and safely, while listening to music in my car.
I have employment that allows me to pay bills, provides health insurance, checks an item off my bucket list, causes very little stress and is flexible enough that I can pursue other passions, and, most importantly, support my loves in all the ways they need and I wish.
I am blessed with a healthy, happy, loving son.
I am blessed with the ever blooming love of the man I called my prince charming over 30 years ago.
I am blessed with the lifelong love of a strong woman who overcame many tragedies to give us both a good life.
I am blessed with a few wonderful friends whose lives have been intertwined with mine for more than three or four decades.
Although alone this morning, I am not alone in this world. I love and am loved every moment of every day. We have faced and will face many difficulties, but a burden shared is a burden halved...or quartered...and sometimes ceases to be a burden at all.
Counting my blessings each and every day that I have breath and remembering that Life is good.
Blessed Be
Spring peeps
its head gentle
green
Tulips spear
Apple blossoms near
Rain murmurs
rivers roar
Blessed be
Days lengthen
Sun strengthens
Earth gives birth
in mirth
and girth
lightning blazes through
summer thunder
Blessed be
Autumn glory
harvest beckons
bounty bulges
fatted calf
leaves fly free
nature stores
as night grows
Blessed be
Glimmering winter
water steaming
through frozen icy
cracks
sparkling snow
white crisp shards
of endless night
Blessed be
Another Day
There was a time
hard now to remember
before fear encircled every aspect of life
masks holding in emotions anxiety loss
suffocating
hope appreciation security
those things and the calm
needed to acknowledge
the good.
There was a time
when every night I wrote down
five blessings in my life
to remind myself
of those things important
and
selfishly
to bring on restful
sleep.
It's been over a year
since sleep came
before dawn
and even when it comes
I don't count another day
as a blessing.
I’m Thankful for... (in no particular order)
Another beautiful day
The sunshine and the rain
New mercies given to me every day from a good God
Food and water and tea
A place to live and sleep
Blankets and pillows
Cuddles with my cats
Pens and pencils
The skills I have
My job (I don't love it, but I'm thankful to be able to make money)
Breath in my lungs
Organs that function
Medicine
Mac and cheese
I'm thankful that the hospital my grandma died in was okay with everyone being in the hospital room. I'm thankful they let visitors inside because they didn't have to do that. I know that's not often the case these days, and the only reason was she had been in the hospital long enough that they didn't consider her (or my grandpa) contagious anymore.
I'm thankful I still have both of my parents
I'm thankful for my siblings,
for living in America right now when there is no peace in the Middle East
God made a way of salvation for the Gentiles through the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus.
There is forgiveness for my sins when I confess them and God is faithful to forgive and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
He began the good work of my salvation and sanctification and is faithful to complete it.
He has been merciful and kind to me, when I have never deserved it, even on my best day. He is kind to everyone, the good and the evil. The just and unjust. The ungrateful.
For Christ's imputed righteousness, that the work for my salvation was done on the cross.
There is hope for all who will hope in Christ, to repent and believe. That we can call upon his name for salvation, that God even gave us, His enemies, hope of redemption in the first place.
There is a way out of the eternal wrath of God and it's through his love and compassion and what Jesus did. He took the whole cup of wrath we all deserve. Every single penny was paid for. He was beaten beyond human recognition and pierced for our transgressions and condemned by His own people. Jesus did the will of God perfectly and willfully, and it was God's will to crush him for our iniquities.
Bar Talk
the way we sing
ice ice baby
the back beat an ecstasy
when i said
this bar is
pumpin’
and i meant poppin’
the comedy shows
behind the microphone
jack and cokes
laughing away the unknown
one day i’ll find a mask
in my coat pocket
shrug and drop it
Counting my Blessings
The me-before-yesterday baked cinnamon rolls and this morning today-me warmed one up and enjoyed the delicous pastry with some delicious coffee.
And even though I have had too much pain the past year, I have also had too much joy: morning cuddles with the kitties and my partner, watching butterflies on early morning hikes, and taking all of the extra time given to me by Chaos to write more often.
Everyday I am thankful for the three companions—one human and two felines—I share my life with.
For all the pain this year and before I can only be thankful that it made me funnier.
Five is just a lovely number and I have an odd feeling of joy when it bleeds out from my pen. Write a five right now and maybe you will see what I mean.
Six years ago I went to the movies and held someone's hand and I haven't let go since, except to shit, shower, and shave, of course.
I have seven niblings and they are all pretty cute.
Yesterday I saw my mother-in-law for an early Mother's Day Celebration and we ate pizza and chicken wings and laughed together for the first time in a year.
Nine years ago I was alone and scared and high and this morning I am typing away on my Macbook with a cat quietly purring next to me. And now, when I am scared, I am not alone.
Sardines come in little tin cans so that you can stack them neatly on top of each other. They also have fun, little tops that roll back. Did I mention the flavors? They come in so many flavors and no matter what my partner says I love them all.
Blessed by the Little Things
I am a pretty down to earth person.
All the money and flashy stuff does not impress me.
I count the little things-
they add up to a mountain of freedom and happiness.
Little things...like when I wake up to face another day
or when my daughter cracks a silly joke.
When my son asks to help me clean up or help with supper
Watching my garden grow- flowers blooming
Checking my mail - HA
Watching my daughter dance in her recital
or when my son makes a goal in soccer.
Having my husband/best friend beside me everyday.
Having a job-
My dogs curling up next to me
My mother going on a trip that she so deserves
Looking at the sunset or reading a book
Music of any kind and gummy bears-
All these little things add up - and I count them.
I love and appreciate these little things.