A Moment of Gratefulness

This morning as Gunner and I went for a run, I was struck by how WONDERFUL life is.  Right now, in this moment, I want to take time to pause and feel grateful for the love and light that fills my days. 

First of all, I am lucky to be home on this Friday morning because my "full-time" job where I teach kids one-on-one is only four days a week...that means I ALWAYS get a three day weekend.  What a blessing in helping me balance work and home.

I am grateful for how strong and healthy my body is...a 2 mile run makes me feel satisfied and at peace with my physical body.  My skin, my wrinkles, my thighs...running helps me put the insecurities of my body into perspective.  It reminds me that I am strong and healthy, and that these are the things that really make you beautiful.

Matt and I had a long talk on the phone early this morning (he is en route to South America for work) and I am so grateful for the love and friendship of this wonderful man.  His life has been so blessed by a wonderful job that challenges and engages him, and I know that blessings in Matt's life are blessings in my life as well.  I am so lucky that I get to go through life with Matt, he is everything I need him to be.

I am so grateful that my life includes Gunner and Bailey.  Having good dogs makes you understand unconditional love.  If you have never had a dog lick your tears when you are sad, or run next to you ready to defend you, then you have missed out on one of life's greatest rewards.

I am so thankful that I live where I live!  I live in a place where I can run through fields of sweet alfalfa for two miles and never step on a paved road or see another house or person.  I live in a place where my neighbors (a mile or so away) invite me to dinner and watch out for me when Matt is away.  I live in a home that has been lovingly created through the years with handcrafted quilts, homemade curtains, and walls painted by friend's helpful hands.

I am so grateful for friendships that keep me honest and grounded!  My two best friends from high school are still the ones I turn to when life is overwhelming or when I want to scream, laugh or cry.  And even though neither of them live in my same time zone anymore, I know I can call them any time, day or night...and I do.  I am also blessed to have friends who I get to see daily and who are never too busy with kids and life for a hug or a talk.  I am also so grateful for the strong women in Matt's family who have become my family as well.  His aunts and cousins who encourage and strengthen me have helped me heal. 

My high school friend Suzette, when she visited this summer.

(Becky is coming to visit in a few weeks!)

Matt's aunts and me shopping last Thanksgiving...early.

I am also so blessed by the friendship and love of my church family.  My Lutheran church is full of good people who are wise in the ways of the Lord and who love and support Matt and I, come what may.  I am "mothered" and "sistered" by many of the amazing Lutheran women in my church and I grow and learn from their love. 

I know this is all a little sappy, but I really wanted to take a moment to recognize the good stuff.  God has blessed me over and over again and being grateful is a way to show my thanks.  Life is short, but life is good.