I am grateful for the thoughtfulness of a kitchen towel. I have had some very special ones in my life, and I know exactly who they came from and every time I use them, I think of the giver. The one currently hanging is from my boss and friend, Karen. It is soft, colorful, and long enough to do some good. She gave it to me on our wedding day as she worked in the kitchen to make sure everything was set out/cleaned up/washed up/prepared. I have two of Mom’s embroidered tea towels, and each time I hang one, I am reminded of every day of my young life at home – they were permanent fixtures on her kitchen towel rack. I miss the red checked and green checked kitchen towels embroidered with x’s in the shape of a tea pot, I believe, that Delores helped me make for my Mom for Christmas when I was a little girl. And then, there is the little brown finger towel with a beautiful turkey on it, made with love by Bonnie and sent to me because she wanted me to have one just like she had made for my girls. Kitchen towels are unique, useful for just about everyone, and can be very personal. I am grateful for my cloth reminders of people I love.
I am grateful for a surprise call from my sister, inviting me to join her for lunch today! I am not so grateful that I had no self-control and ate the entire burrito.
I am grateful for the rediscovery of an album I bought three and a half years ago – Shawn McDonald’s Closer. I love every song on that album. Oh man, listening to it this morning brought back a FLOOOOOOOOOOOOD of memories, all good. It was a divine union, that CD into my life…
I am broke, and I am grateful. I spent all that I have on a family reunion trip, and as a result, I have nothing left for two very special birthdays. I’ve never been good at saving. Money or otherwise. Occasionally, I stock up on gifts, and it is impossible for me to keep them hidden – I want to give them right away. I am a Last-Minute-Larry when it comes to Christmas and birthdays, because I cannot bear to hold onto a gift. I spend anything extra that I have on others, mostly, and I guess that’s not such a bad thing, except for the fact that I have no reserves. So, I am broke. Why does that make me grateful? Because I spend anything extra that I have on others, mostly. Because I still have a lot to learn. Because I learned generosity from my parents. Because I can’t take it with me. *But if your birthday happens to be tomorrow or a week from tomorrow, I am sorry. I’ll send something as soon as I can save up enough to send something.
I am grateful for Nooma videos. I used to have almost all of them. I wish I still had them. They were a source of great strength. This is probably my favorite one, and if you ever have a chance to watch it, you won’t regret it. Here’s a trailer, since I can’t find the long version on the free internet…
This video reminds me of my parents when I was at my lowest point. I believe Mom and Dad were a part of God’s message for me – they were a reminder to me that His love is far more encompassing than we can possibly think. That no matter what I did, what I was, they would not love me less, and in fact, they loved me even more. A love like an ocean with no end. Their love for me was a source of sympathy for my hurting and loss, their love for me was a source of patience as I struggled to stand up again and face my failure and sin, their love for me was a source of encouragement when I felt there was no hope. They knew that by loving me through God’s eyes, He chose them to pour out His hope, healing, and a little bit of heaven in my life, and for that, I am grateful.
rhondaisgrateful 