And I love the sound of those furry/rubbery/microfibery spinning/hanging cleaner things in a carwash when they go down the side and over the top of the vehicle. It’s pleasing to the ears.

Oh, and carwashes that use the rainbow colored foamy soap. It’s pleasing to the eyes.

I am grateful for an early morning walk in the darkness – a new beginning to shedding winter pounds. 

I am grateful for free time last week to go to a middle school choir concert. They ended their concert with this song, surrounding the audience, and I wish we could hear it again, it was SO GOOD! This isn’t Abbie and Tara’s choir, but they were BETTER, although this choir is pretty good:

Bonse Aba 
(translated: “All who sing have the right to be called the children of God.”)

I am grateful to be included in important conference calls.

I am grateful for TWO letters from Delores this weekend!

I am grateful for another opportunity to serve this evening – taking after my Mom and my brother, donating platelets. I am grateful that Sam answered my phone and grateful that the lady from Community Blood Bank was pushy, because I would have ignored the call otherwise.

I am grateful for pictures of Karissa and family that Aunt Alda/Aunt Patsy sent to us this weekend, and grateful for a beautiful letter that was included.

I am grateful for a clean car – thank you, Sam.

I am grateful for melting snow…FINALLY!

I am grateful for Sam’s Club samples and nice employees who hand them out.

I am grateful that my homework is nearly done.

I am grateful that a young family sat a few rows in front of us yesterday, so that I could enjoy watching the little brother and sister who reminded me of Andrae and Annistan.

I am grateful for a Freddy’s chocolate cone yesterday after choir. If only it was accompanied by a large order of fries…

I am grateful that our pastor and church take such care and consideration regarding every aspect of building the permanent sanctuary – every part of it will have meaning and symbolism and has been covered in prayer – no stone unturned. It’s good to have a small part of building something historic that will be a huge impact for generations to come.

I am grateful that Lisa is coming to have lunch with me today!

I am grateful for a new bird feeder pole to keep six squirrels from eating every last seed, and grateful for entertainment of the squirrel circus that we watched this morning as they realized their feast had vanished.

I am grateful to have been invited to Zak’s Youth for Christ banquet.

I am grateful for Delmonte Fruit Naturals red grapefruit.

And I am grateful that my grandchildren have wonderful parents and do not know the reality of so many children in the United States, being interviewed by caseworkers and then removed from the only home they know to live with strangers in a foster home. I dreamed all night of this scenario after having read what these little ones feel and face when taken from their home. I am grateful for my daughters and sons-in-law who love their children dearly and take such good care of them.