The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself in 2015

A few days before the new year, big sister and hubby invited me to escape with them to Galveston Island. Although the weather turned rainy and cold before we left, the time away was exactly what I needed: Stress-free days with people who love me. It was also a time of inward reflection, counting blessings, looking forward—those things I do as one year ends and a new one unfolds.

During breakfast one morning, in the cafe downstairs, an older couple came in with a woman in a wheelchair. By all appearances, she was their adult daughter. About 40 years old, and very disabled. Her head was tilted to the right. Her eyes were opened wide, and her mouth never closed. There was no sign of understanding from her. No sounds of any kind. No movements. Just sitting and staring.

As the dad pushed her by our table, bumping into a few chairs along the way, he chuckled and said they were "used to that." My sister and I looked at each other. No words were needed. We knew how blessed we were with healthy adult daughters, living on their own.

Later that evening, in the lobby, a male trio played jazz music for guests of the hotel. A few feet in front of the piano sat the disabled girl in her wheelchair, her mother close by. 

At one point, the musicians took a break, and as casual chatter ensued, the piano player walked over and kissed the silent girl on the forehead. Only then did I recognize him as the same man who had pushed her into the cafe that morning, bumping into chairs as they settled in. Who would've known this gifted musician, spreading joy in such a masterful way, was the father of a severely disabled child? I wondered if I would be so strong. I think I would cry every day. But not this man. Somewhere in time, he had made peace with his challenging circumstances, and had moved on with his life.

As the music resumed, I was reminded of the Apostle Paul's instructions to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. He didn't say we should be thankful for all circumstances, but we are to give thanks in all circumstances. Even without a disabled child, giving thanks isn't always easy to do—we all know that. However, gratitude is a glorious gift we can give to ourselves.

Melody Beattie describes it this way: "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

Chances are, life in 2015 won't be without heartaches and sighs. However, if gratitude can fill our hearts every day—sunrise to sunset—our lives will be full the whole year long. ♦

I'm linking to:

Imparting Grace - Grace at Home
Thought-Provoking Thursday
Spiritual Sundays

The Fleeting Days of November

I'm not sure how November disappeared so fast, but it did, and all that's left are pictures for the memory books. Here are a few of mine...

The month started off with dinner and my two favorite people.

We dined on the patio of one of our favorite spots.

The next day, we did a little grocery shopping together.

The camera is never far away when Nonni is around.

After four months of being at home with Audrey, my daughter went back to work full-time on November 4th. It was a big adjustment for them both. Here is my sweet grandchild, up much earlier than usual, heading to her sitter. I don't mind telling you, Nonni's heart hurts every time she looks at this picture.

My lovely niece kept Audrey a couple days while a permanent sitter was being located. Audrey and Cousin Ainsley got better acquainted, and my niece decided one child is enough...for now at least. HA!

The last weekend in November, Audrey and I were constant buddies while her mother took a quick road trip. I've never been to heaven, but I feel certain our time together was pretty close.

Leslie and I have been doing FaceTime since Audrey was born. Initially, she sat and stared. Then she grew into grabbing the phone. I wondered when she would finally recognize me, and today was the day. When she saw me and heard me singing "You Are My Sunshine," her face lit up like a Christmas tree. And so did mine! My daughter captured the moment. Priceless.

 And then it was Thanksgiving. I was the host, and my entire family (except for a stepson) gathered around my tables. I felt like the most blessed person on the earth.

Miss Audrey's mother had to work the next day, so Nonni was thrilled to be the babysitter. It was Audrey's first time to sleep in her baby bed at Nonni's house. She slept like a log. Nonni, not so much.

That evening, I was treated to dinner. Here is Audrey on the ride over.

 ♦  ♦  ♦

And that brings us to the end, my friends. Someone once said, "It isn't happy people who are thankful; it is thankful people who are happy." November reminds us to be thankful, and although I don't need reminding, as December unfolds, I am more thankful than words can tell.

Just Grateful

My heart has been filled with gratitude this week for: 

1. My precious daughter, and the relationship we share.

2. My dear parents, and the love they freely give.

3. My two sisters, and the memories we've made through life.

4. My great-paying job, working for people who appreciate my skills.

5. My health.

6. My home.

7. My faith in God -- through it all.

________________

Linking to Spiritual Sundays.

Gratitude Has Rich Rewards

One of my daughter’s first sentences as a toddler was, “Thank you.” Her exact pronunciation, as I recall, was “tattoo,” and she said “tattoo” on a regular basis—her mom and dad made sure.

Regrettably, thankfulness is a vanishing art these days. All across the fruited plain, griping has become the national pastime.

Certainly, we all have things we could gripe about—nobody’s life is perfect, after all. But there are enriching rewards in the simple act of gratitude.

Author Melody Beattie describes it beautifully: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

Of course, ingratitude has “rewards,” too—but they aren’t so enriching.

Young or old, prosperous or poor, ungrateful people lead miserable, defeated lives. The more they’re given, the more thankless and greedy they become.


In his devotional, “The Attitude of Ingratitude,” Woodrow Kroll tells the story of a tourist, visiting a certain part of Mexico where hot springs and cold springs run side by side.

Houston Woman Magazine

While watching the peasants boiling their laundry in the hot springs and rinsing them in the cold, the tourist commented to his Mexican guide, "I imagine they think Mother Nature is pretty generous to supply such ample, clean, hot and cold water side by side for their free use."

With a sigh the guide replied, "No, Señor, there is much grumbling because she supplies no soap."

At best, ingratitude can become a habit, difficult to break. At worst, it can become a way of life, where nothing is ever enough.

I, for one, have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season, and I refuse to focus on anything negative in my life. I have health, food, clothes, shelter, family, friends and peace of mind. Indeed, it is all I need and much, much more than I deserve.

So, from grateful me, to generous you, Lord, Tattoo.

____________

Linking to Spiritual Sundays, my favorite weekend blog.