Gratitude

This Ship. . .

The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas.

The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising.
Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude.
If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow.
Today I am blessed.
--Maya Angelou

True Thanksgiving

I realized a few things this Thanksgiving. I realized that I have A LOT to be thankful for. I realized that all of the goodness in my life revolves around the knowledge of who I am, where I come from, and my potential for greatness.

This Thanksgiving I'm grateful for little faces with bright eyes.
I'm grateful for parents who are kind and who love unconditionally. I'm grateful for their consistency and for creating a home where happiness is not the exception--it's the rule.
I'm grateful for relationships--new and old.
I'm grateful for people who give a little--when it's not always easy or convenient.
I'm grateful for hugs and smiles.
I'm grateful for silliness.
I'm grateful for dancing in the kitchen.

I'm grateful for these new Big Star jeans! Damn, they look good on me.


I'm grateful for little swimmers.

And big swimmers, too.
I'm grateful for egg frames and boys who EAT.
I'm grateful for generations of love, acceptance, and the common ties that bind us together.
I'm grateful for sweet moments where work and play are one.
I'm grateful for a heritage full of integrity, hard work, and close families.
I'm grateful that on occasion time and distance become irrelevant.
I'm grateful.

Life's Constants

The smell of Pine-sol on my kitchen floors reminds me of Saturdays from my childhood. I'm confident that if I were in Blackfoot this morning, the smell would inevitably be there, too. There are just some things in life that are constant. Pine-sol at the Virtues on Saturday mornings and taxes. Today I'm grateful for all of my constants. I'm grateful for the "dependable" things that keep me centered, optimistic, & motivated. I'm grateful for family that is predictable & often spontaneous. I'm grateful for gospel principles that inspire faith & endurance. I'm grateful for the changing seasons in life which provide perspective, growth, and variety. I'm grateful for a snowy Saturday morning with nowhere to be.