Worry is an old man with a bent head, carrying a load of feathers he thinks is lead.

I am grateful for a very unexpected lunch invitation today.

I am grateful for the silliness of a man pushing a broken down lawn mower all the way home that he found in someone else’s trash pile. It created some unexpected laughter and under-the-cover-of-dawn neighbor theft at 6 am. As Sergeant Schultz said, “I know NAHTHINK! NAH-THINK!”

Ah, I loved Hogan’s Heroes. What a great show. May its theme song play in your head for hours:

Dah dah dah dah dah dee daht dah dah…

I am grateful for the wonderful taste of a hot dog and a helping of baked beans. And for the fact that I enjoyed those two things more than the potato chips and salad last night.

I am grateful for a good pair of scissors, because when a cheap pair of scissors breaks and it’s all you’ve got, it isn’t any fun. Next time, I should use some garden clippers instead.

I am so grateful for a forgiven past.

I am grateful for the beauty of fresh flowers sitting on the counter in the bathroom. Thank you, Sam. It was a sweet surprise.

I am grateful for these four adorable grandchildren:

And I am grateful for a “new” car.

When we take time to notice the simple things in life, we never lack for encouragement. We discover we are surrounded by a limitless hope that’s just wearing everyday clothes.