My friend Merle, who knows about these things and knows me as well as anyone, suggested I keep a gratitude journal. Not that I am not grateful for the blessings in my life already, but if I wrote, even briefly, each day about positive, joyful moments it might help move the needle from my tendency to dwell in negative spaces. So, with that in mind, and in acknowledgment of International Women’s Day, I want to share this:
I am so grateful for my granddaughter’s soft cheeks, wide blue/gray eyes, and sweet disposition. Gary and I got to spend time with her this past weekend and seeing her discovering the world for the first time, her pleasure in eating, her little legs kicking in the high chair in anticipation of the next spoonful of yogurt, learning to wave and say hi, provides me with sustenance and treasured memories. Hearing her say ‘Nana’ – it is possible it was just babble – but I will choose to think she was addressing me, makes me smile just thinking about it!
I am so grateful for my daughter-in-law who knows how to throw a party like nobody’s business. She made a 30th birthday party for Dan that was thoughtful in every detail, from the activities (ping-pong) to the beverages (favorite beers) to the food (BBQ) and decorations (his likeness on blue cups). Not to mention her gifting us with said granddaughter! She has added to our son’s happiness immeasurably and they are making a life together that is a source of pride, joy and hope.
I am beyond grateful for my daughter! When she enters the room I’m sure I’m smiling ear-to-ear. Her bright eyes, inquisitive and incisive mind, her playfulness and curiosity are infectious. I look forward to every visit, and our chats in between sustain me. She is fierce, determined and is in pursuit of social justice – all things I admire deeply. It doesn’t hurt that she may be my biggest cheerleader.
Finally, I am grateful for my mother. Her spirit is indomitable, even in the face of yet another health challenge. She shows us all how to embrace life, enjoy the beauty that surrounds us in nature, music, books, dance, films, and ideas. Even at 85, she shows no sign of losing that spark. I am thankful to have her as a role model to me, and our family. She may not be perfect, and she can be very hard on herself, but she is always striving to be better, to learn and grow. What more can you ask of a human being?
It is Monday morning and I am facing some challenging times ahead, but I am glad I took Merle’s advice and began the day with a moment of gratitude.
Stories I Tell Myself 
Thank you for your loving tribute to me. I don’t write a journal, but every night before I go to sleep I thank my blessings and most mornings I ask myself what will I do with my day since life is short(especially at my age) and I try to make the day count. Let see if this gets sent
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A well written piece makes people think of things, feel things. This one made me think of something that I am grateful for and it may seem like a weird choice, but it is what came to mind when I read this. I am grateful, despite all that is going on right now, for America. This country took in my parents and all of our families and gave all of us opportunities to pursue our dreams and work to make them come true.
That is not something that happens everywhere. And perhaps now as much as any time, it is worth remembering the good things that this country continues to represent. We aren’t living up to our best ideals right now. But we continue to make so many lives so much better than they otherwise would have been.
Thank you for the wonderful blog post. I’m grateful for that too.
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Interesting – not what I might have expected. But, I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
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Well said Gary. I use the phrase from time to time “we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us”. I wish our representatives in Congress such as Devin Nunes, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and others for once would just give some degree of acknowledgement and gratitude to those who came before them to enable them to speak freely as they do so today. Words have consequences and their vitriol speeches and tweets are causing these shoulders that they stand on to sag and weaken.
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