My Blessings

A good start for the next chapter in my life is to discern and document the blessings in my life.  At times, I think we all forget to give them the proper appreciation they deserve.  So, my first "real" post of the year 2011 will be about the many blessings in my life.  They may not be all that exciting or life-changing, but they are what makes our lives worth living!  It goes without saying that I am grateful for my health, my job and my house, but they don't bring me the same kind of happiness like the following!

1. My family (my 2 adult daughters, my 3 year old grandson, my mom and my brother)
2. My few close friends
3. My pets (2 dogs and a cat)
4. My garden (both flower and vegetable)
5. The wildlife and birds and other "creatures" that visit my yard
6. The changing of the Seasons
7. Celebrating the holidays and special occasions with my family and friends
8. Watching and participating in my grandson's discoveries and milestones (seeing my grandson giggle over blowing bubbles or watching a funny video or the dog licking his face or feeding the fish or him asking to hold my hand when we get out of the car)
9. Creating and sharing my creations (my crafts, cooking, gardening)
10. Drinking a cup of coffee or tea on my front porch or in the backyard, relaxing, observing what's going on around me, such as the birds eating from the birdfeeder, squirrels playing, the dogs rough-housing or getting excited over the squirrels or talking with a loved one
11. Snuggling up with a warm blanket and a bowl of popcorn and watching a favorite show or movie
12. Picking the first vegetables of the season from my garden
13. Going for a ride on my scooter or the motorcycle on a warm summer day
14. Taking a walk and picking up nature's trinkets such as pinecones and rocks
15. When my daughters do something special for me such as come over and cook dinner

"May you always have work for your hands to do.

May your pockets hold always a coin or two.

May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.

May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you.

And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."

~Irish Blessing