14th Thanks

14) Today I am grateful for a nice, warm, sturdy house to live in. We woke up to snow dusting the ground. Then off to a swim meet where I timed and consequently got wet from the waist down. Then out in the windy, snowy cold to the car. So it was so nice to come home and find warm clothes, blankets, and a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie marathon with my kids! I do so enjoy being warm.

Friday, the 13th

13) Today I feel a sense of gratitude for a functioning body--it's not in great shape, and it's seen some wear and tear, but overall, still in working condition.

Each week I spend with Dear Friend Tammy, I am saddened to see the diminished abilities she has. ALS is a terrible disease, in that it takes away your body and your mind is fully aware of the loss. Each week there is a little less that she can do. Each week there is a little more taken from her.

In the mornings I try to jog or walk briskly for 45 minutes to an hour. This is my exercise for the day and so far is doing my mental health as much good as my physical health. When I get home I work for 15 minutes or so with the 6 pound medicine ball and then do some yoga stretches. My body feels better when I do this. On Mondays, in fact, I feel my body craving the run.

Some days, like today, my ankles and shins and calves and knees are all sore after this morning outing. Still, my ankles, shins, calves and knees are all working. I still have control over them. I might make my own sound effects these particular days, but I am grateful to be mobile. I am grateful that my body, though it is overweight and out of shape, still gets me around as I need it to do. I am grateful for the miracle of functions and systems and coordination that gives me abilities to walk, run, lift, think, remember, feel, taste, touch, smell, hear, and see.

Now, my challenge is to be more aware and in the moment as I do all these things. That is the challenge of mortal life, though, isn't it?

The 12th

12) I am grateful for the many, many friends I have gained from working in PTA over the years. I have met and worked with some wonderful, down to earth and accomplished women. They are selfless, hard working, charitable, thoughtful, talented, involved, concerned, helpful, knowledgeable, wise and wicked smart.

I don't think I will ever catch all their names here today, but here's my effort anyway:

Thank you Wendy, Sherry, Kellie, Tammy, Peggy, LeeAnn, Taffy, Jacquie, Sandy, Connie, Carolyn, Cheri, Jennifer, Amy, Lisa, Doni, Sarah, Cory, Jenny, Cami, Haley, Debbie, Nissa, Karen, Kim, Amy, Amber, Lisa, Natalie, Jamie, Melanie, Jennifer, Mary anne, Bethany, Celeste, Carol, Amy, Terri, to name a representative few.

Thanks for doing what you do, naturally, and without demanding attention or credit for your work. Thanks for watching out for my kids and the hundreds of others that you care for at our schools. Thank you for working as a team and showing what good works really are. Thanks for being there when other parents don't have that option.

Thank you for caring enough to get involved. Thank you for your friendship.

Eleventh Day, Eleventh Month

11) Today I am grateful for everyone who has ever worn the uniform of the US Military. It is Veteran's Day today, and sadly, this is a woefully under emphasized holiday. There have been too few expressions of gratitude to these men and women. There is too little respect offered to them, despite their efforts, sacrifice and dedication.

I am grateful for those willing to serve without being compelled. Those that feel in their soul a sense of duty to their country. Those that answer that duty call with optimism and hope.

My world is a better place because of the work, tears, blood and lives given by veterans from across the country and over the years. And today, particularly, I am very grateful for them.

10th Gratitude

10) I am grateful for little miracles in my life. I don't really have anything specific today, but things like getting a flat tire in the new little Honda on the Bangerter Highway and not getting the jack to work right and nearly freaking out only to have a SLC detective pulling over on his way to work to help us.

Or in the middle of a really scary moment with Dear Friend Tammy a few weeks ago, when I almost killed her, only to have her neighbor who is not normally the shift following me show up having just been trained the night before on what to do.

Or The Girl getting her period again and bleeding through her jeans one day while I am at the temple, only to have another Dear Friend--and mother to a boy The Girl's age--come to the school and rescue her by bringing her home to change.

I know I am blessed. The Lord sends tender mercies all the time. The challenge for me is to recognize them for what they are--not mere coincidences, but miracles meant just for me.

Thanks to all of you who have had part in those miracles in my life. You have been participants more than you probably even know. For that, I thank you again and again.

The Ninth

9) While I don't particularly care for surprises myself, for I love them for other people. This little video came from a friend this weekend and I was delighted by the surprise it holds. So, today I am grateful for surprising talents--whether they belong to us (in which case, we surprise ourselves) or in others where they surprise those around them. In this care, there was a surprise and a tremendous talent to share as well. Nicely done, Hollie!

7th Heaven and 8's Great!

7) Sorry for missing yesterday...it was a crazy busy day, but so good. My seventh reason to be grateful are these fantastic kids (plus 4 that couldn't make it). We had our Trek Committee Reunion last night. I had been excited about it all week. I love these kids and have missed them tremendously. I am greatful for the opportunities that I have to work with the youth of our stake. I am grateful to have had the chance to go on our trek this summer. I am grateful to see such wonderful examples of faith and testimony in our youth. They strengthen me. And I love them.





8) I am not grateful for snakes--unless they are dead. This one came out this week while it was sunny and warm (This is the 'opposition in all things' for me--I love sunny and warm, but absolutely hate snakes!) and was enjoying the weather on my driveway. I stayed in the car while The Boy scooped this monster out to the street. There is only one good kind of snake: a DEAD snake. So I am grateful that this one is dead. (And just so you know, I took this picture from the safety of the sidewalk with my telephoto lens. They are so creepy. Ewww.