I am grateful for more lessons about the power of words.

I am grateful for time spent with my Dad this past weekend, just visiting and not doing much of anything.

I am grateful that our service started yesterday with “How Firm a Foundation.” I tried to sing Mom’s alto part as loud as I could.

I am grateful for chocolate chip pancakes.

I am grateful for one last scoop of ice cream last night before we began our second 24 Day Challenge. 

I am grateful for quiet classical music in the still of the morning before coming to work.

Talking comes by nature, silence by wisdom. – American Proverb

I am grateful for pictures of grandchildren and for the privilege of speaking to them on the phone, even if I can’t decipher their language sometimes.

I am grateful for Anjalie’s chuckle.

I am grateful for handwritten cards in the mail – thank you, Rick. Thank you, Julie.

I am grateful for sweet watermelon to enjoy on a really hot and humid day in Kansas City.

I am grateful for the reminder to appreciate family members and tell them so. As our pastor said yesterday, it’s easy to be nice and share grace with those we see every once in a while, but not so easy to be nice and share grace with whom we’ve shared life. It is so true. They should be the ones who receive the most kindness, the most outpouring of love, the most understanding and patience, the most grace…

I am grateful for Jarod’s growth that is evident. He smiles. He holds a conversation with adults now. He shares about his life. It was fun for this Aunt to watch last night.

I am grateful for an update from Katrina yesterday.

I am grateful that my Sunday afternoons are not scheduled any longer.

I am grateful to have heard my niece laugh at her mom talk about getting bit by “skeeters.” Gotta love generational gaps.

I am grateful to have experienced the club level at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday evening. It was worth it, even if the game was pathetic. Once in a lifetime. Experience, that is, not pathetic game.

I am grateful that I am not in charge of the world, just my own.

I am grateful for sadness, even though it hurts.

I am grateful for a sister-in-law who knows how to figure out what that tune is. Finlandia. Yeah. That’s it.

I am grateful that God has given me the sensitivity to care.

I am grateful for baked potatoes, chips, hotdogs, cookies, pancakes, chips, iced tea with five sugars, a little Dove chocolate at about 3:30 in the afternoon, Cheezits, corn on the cob, chips, rice in just about any flavor and form, and bread. And did I say chips? Because I won’t be seeing any of this food for the next 24 days and I will miss it, but not as much as I did the first time around. This time is definitely easier.

And I am grateful for people who really listen, with both ears, both eyes, and their whole mind.

If you think you are too small to make an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.