Grateful Sundays

If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul."-- Rabbi Harold Kuchen

Here are a few things I'm grateful for this week.

* The Beauty of Springtime. Last week we enjoyed the slow pace of a few rainy days. After the rain left, the beauty of spring has blossomed everywhere. I have a giant yellow rose bush that is just beyond the driveway that I enjoy every time I go in or out of the garage. This week, the roses have just blown up all over their mother bush. Roses are an interesting thing. They remind me that things of beauty or that are worthwhile in life are not without their thorns. That along life's path, there will oft be times of trial or tumult. But if we endure it well, the thorns will lead to the most exquisite blossom, the thing of beauty that we would have missed, if we had let the pain of the thorns thwart our experience. For the Beauty of Springtime, Thank You.

* The Right to Peaceably Assemble. This week on April 15th, not only were our taxes due, but there were thousands of TEA (Taxed Enough Already) parties all over the country. Contrary to what the media would have you believe, thousands of people from coast to coast, peaceably assembled to show their concern for the direction our current president is taking this country. I am so grateful that we live in a country where we can voice our opinion without fear of repercussion. For our right to peaceably assemble to have our voices heard, Thank You.

* Dinner Time. I have to admit, we don't always have or make the time to sit together as a family and enjoy dinner and the conversations that follow. Most often, we each 'cafeteria style' with Mom making a meal and everyone eating when his/her schedule permits. If someone doesn't like what Mom makes, there's always a frozen burrito or PB and J. This week, because of the rain, we were able to actually sit down together at the kitchen table, sans television or radio and just visit with each other and catch up. It is so nice to have my Handsome Husband home. I'm sure he appreciated a home-cooked meal and the opportunity to catch up on the wonderful, busy happenings with each of us. I love my family. They are each unique and special in their own ways. It is a privilege to pass through this mortal journey with them. For the opportunity to sit with them at dinner time, Thank You.