1. I am grateful for orange segments for an afternoon snack.
2. I am grateful that my bank is close enough for a warm and breezy walk at lunchtime to make a deposit and I’m grateful to know that I could survive if I didn’t have a car to drive – work, groceries, bank, a church, Bingo friends, and walk-in clinic all within walking distance.
3. And I am grateful for my husband who looks in on me when I am down, who spends his entire weekend working to make a place for Dad, who never complains, and who tells me that he loves me every day.

I am grateful today for the feel of grass under bare feet on a warm day.

I am grateful today for dropped change in the road that is like treasure for a walker.

I am grateful today for stretchy pants and t-shirts to wear on a lazy day.

I am grateful today for really nice perfume worn by the unknown woman who occupied the public restroom minutes before I entered.

I am grateful today for a co-worker who offered lunch.

I am grateful today for funny radio that makes the day go faster.

I am grateful today for a symphony of birds.

I am grateful today for March madness, basketball madness, anyway.

I am grateful today that my car is fixed and back home again.

I am grateful today for prayer answered.

I am grateful today for nice customer service reps on the other end of the phone.

I am grateful today for I Peter 3:4.

Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God. (TLB)

And I am grateful for pancakes with chunky peanut butter and Aunt Jemima butter rich syrup.

Ahhh. This is the life. 17th floor morning, middle of the week, sunshine welcome through the large window as the busy birds fly by. I have the privilege of accompanying Sam to a business meeting out of town, and while he is in morning meetings, I am soaking in the treat of taking it easy with nothing to do but to enjoy the quiet of the new day.

Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness to me. To ME. All I have needed, Your hand has provided. Blessings all mine, with 10,000 beside… It doesn’t seem real sometimes. It isn’t fair all of the time. I am so unworthy but so grateful and blessed.

• For text messages with my daughter
• For healthy grandchildren
• For a comfortable bed and an abundance of pillows
• For fun dinner companions last night
• For sunshine on my shoulders
• For a voicemail from Melissa
• For clean fireplace doors and a spotless fireplace – thank you, Dad!
• For the reminder from childhood that if I can’t say nothin’ nice, I shouldn’t say nothin’ at all.
• For NPR stories
• For the mentally stable people in my life who are not extreme
• For the maturity to live by example rather than a bunch of words that could end up harming others
• For the ridiculous desires at 3 am to get on a health kick and exercise regimen with an actual plan…not so ridiculous in of itself, but at 3 am, totally absurd
• For Delores socks
• For catchy jingles that are fun to sing: We are farmers! Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun…
• For people who share their clean mouths and fresh breath – if you can’t breathe nothin’ nice, don’t breathe nothin’ at all…mmm, not so much
• On that note, for people who brush their gums and scrub their tongues where bad breath hangs out (Why wasn’t I a dentist? Because I COULD NOT HANDLE THE MESS)
• For pretty bathrooms that make me feel nice
• For servers who are so pleasant and wonderful and scour the room for extra cheesecake for our table of beggars
• For baby smiles
• For a great book
• For beautiful artwork that came in the mail from Parker and Reilly
• For really cold water from a faucet
• For the pleasant of watching a flag furling in the breeze (I don’t know if furling is a word or if that is the correct term for flags doing their thing, but it is pleasant nonetheless)
• For running boards on a tall truck
• And for steak that is cooked and not mooing on my plate (Julie, we could have named our dinner Bessie and put her out to pasture – I’m sad you missed the meal/almost pet cow)

I am grateful for beautiful early March days.

I am grateful for pinwheels and bubbles.

I am grateful for the ability to deep breathe when my long grateful about giving vs. getting that I spent all day writing suddenly disappears permanently.

I am grateful for eye contact with a smile.

I am grateful for peanut butter cake and frosting.

I am grateful for chirping bird weather.

I am grateful for Sam’s ability to show attention to and connect with children in a restaurant or store or at church or on walks.

I am grateful for tournament time.

I am grateful for Delores socks to wear at work in place of heels.

I am grateful for cars without unkind and inappropriate bumper stickers.

I am grateful for library smell.

I am grateful for a massage gift certificate.

I am grateful for dog smiles and cat purrs.

I am grateful for laughter in the elevator that can be heard on other floors.

I am grateful for pastel colors.

And I am grateful for memories of holding Anissa’s hand and skipping together through WalMart.

I am grateful for:

• My Mom’s trait of saving everything, although I used to get so annoyed about it.  Her boxes of cards and programs and pictures and artwork and letters and handwritten notes and hospital records and schoolwork and everything in between will mean absolutely nothing to anyone but her children and her husband, and I can attest to the fact that her two daughters loved the treasures we found on Saturday evening.
• For the glimpse around the corner of Dad in his new bedroom, sitting in his chair reading last night.
• For dinner on the patio with birds singing their evening song, crows squawking, jet trails high in the sky, soft music on the speakers, a warm sun giving way to evening’s first chill, and conversation with my roommates, Sam and Dad.
• For dinnertime phone calls with Ron and Patsy, wishing Dad well in his new home.
• For a brother who came to unload and help with the move but ended up tiling Dad’s kitchen floor, as well.
• For a nephew who gave up his weekend to help his Grandpa move and who didn’t complain or hesitate one second when asked to carry 14 tons of tile to the basement.
• For Larry and Sue, two wonderful friends who also gave up their Saturday to help unload a truck and carry boxes and clothes and other items to the basement and made the day that much more pleasant and fun, and then finished the day with a text that said, “Thanks for letting us be a part of your day! We love the Ferguson family!”
• For Larry, a great friend of Dad’s in Hutch, who put together a giant card with well-wishes from Dad’s home church, checked in on Dad on a regular basis, helped Dad and Dwight load the truck, and has been a support to our entire family.
• For a nephew and niece who wanted some of Mom and Dad’s things badly enough they wrote their names on the bottom so we would know not to toss out.
• For walking weather.
• For our new housemate and his desire to help out – I am not sure I’ll ever have to walk down the street to get the mail or vacuum the kitchen floor ever again!
• For a room full of junior high and high school choir kids who make me smile, who can sing like nobody’s business, who made me feel very welcome and very loved.
• For Joyce, who gave me the opportunity to work with the kids again.
• For pretty little Easter clothes that hang in the stores and cause an Ama to silently cry inside.
• For little chicks that remind me of my childhood.

• For a bunny named Mr. Peabody that is visiting my grandchildren until Easter – he brings back so many wonderful memories of my childhood, including all of our bunnies. Wish I could remember their names, but the only one I CAN remember is Angela’s monster bunny, Precious.

• And for this scripture, shared by Deb today:  “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.  On the contrary, repay evil with blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9 NIV

I love hopeful anticipation. I love the excitement of planning and preparing…like the days leading up to a family vacation or Christmas when company arrives, or preparing the big Easter meal and an egg hunt for the little ones, or even counting down the hours until 5:00 and the weekend begins!

This day, I have hopeful anticipation because tomorrow is Saturday and my brother and nephew will arrive with my Dad to move him into his new home – OUR home.  I am so looking forward to the Sundays of attending church with Sam on one side and Dad on the other. I am so looking forward to watch Dad gain his confidence about making this place his home, making Kansas City his city. I am so looking forward to watching him enjoy an afternoon at the ball park with the Royals, or see him drive into the driveway after a long relaxing afternoon on the golf course. I will no longer have to pick up the phone to hear a good joke.

It’s Friday, but Saturday’s comin’!

I am grateful for errands completed.

I am grateful for a few minutes with some soft piano music.

I am grateful for soft butter.

I am grateful for lunch with a friend who shares the same love of music and desire to use her gifts.

When God gives a friend, He is entrusting us with the care of another’s heart. It is a chance to be a Life giver. – Stasi Eldredge

I am grateful for people who like to smell good.

I am grateful for drive through car washes.

And I am grateful that my daughter sends pictures to me to reJOYce about:

I am grateful for memories of playing croquet in the yard in Haven.

I am grateful for a new blow dryer that wow, is so powerful. I was using a blow dryer that I thought was just fine until it wasn’t just fine any longer and I had to break down and buy a new one. You don’t know what you don’t know, and I didn’t know that I was using a sloth until I put a cheetah in my hand.

I am grateful for the silliest weather woman who makes me laugh when I watch her. Animated on steroids, and she’s so serious about her performance. Yes, she is the one who loves to say, “buh-lustery!” and you oughta see her hand motions. Oh, she is entertainment at 6 am…

I am grateful for the anticipation of a warm and sunny weekend to welcome my Dad home to his new home.

I am grateful that people are interesting and provide diversity in my day, like the gentleman on the other end of the phone yesterday whose response to my suggestion to leave a voicemail for a co-worker: “That would be SMASHING!”  I dare you to use that phrase this weekend…

And I am grateful for weekends.

…in every way try to please Him, at home, at school, at play.

I am grateful for problems. They cause me to turn my face to the only One who understands, the only One who can offer a shoulder to lean on day or night.

I am grateful that my problems are so small, but I know that a bruise can be an indication of something larger if not cared for.

I am grateful that I can cast my care on Him, because He does care about ME.

I am grateful for sunshine in the early morning.

I am grateful for memories of Children’s Church with Violet Emery and Josephine Thornburg, and those paper plates with crepe paper sunbeams that we twirled as we sang.

I am grateful for my family.

I am grateful for trash day and grateful for the ease of ridding the house of garbage.

I am grateful to have had counseling once again, which makes me so grateful for Kathy and her ability to listen, share advice, and give me a couple of hand slaps when I need to keep in check.

And I am grateful for the hymn God Leads His Dear Children Along.

This morning, I read an article that my good friend Michelle received from her daughter about reasons to call your Mom every day. Funny thing. I have been reminded of this several times in the last few weeks – a conversation with Dennis, a speech made at the Academy Awards, a devotion about the comparison of our earthly father and our heavenly Father…

So, here is my adaptation of the article’s advice, since I am a Mom and can so relate, and since I can no longer call my Mom but still have my Dad and will soon get to see him every day – a privilege I do not want to take for granted:

Your Mom and Dad were your first friends.

As cliché as it might sound, they’ve been there for you through thick and thin – standing behind you when you had the motorcycle wreck and went through ten surgeries; loving you with no words when you became pregnant before it was time and then embracing their first granddaughter with all that was within them; encouraging your fleeting dreams of stardom when you wanted to go to The Wheaton Conservatory of Music; holding you and walking beside you with no judgment when you left your marriage and endured such emotional pain no one can really understand.

They are your biggest fans and never fail to brighten up even the most horrid of days.

There’s no one quite as special as Mom and Dad.

Having parents who support you is the greatest blessing in life. It can be easy to take their love for granted because you know it’s unconditional; they’re always going to be there for you.

What you need to remember, however, is this: they are people, too, with feelings of their own.

You might have all these fabulous friends in your 20-something, 30-something, 40-something, and now 50-something life, but you should not forget, your Mom and/or Dad is a better friend than anyone.

And though they might not say it, they are definitely a little lonelier now that you have a life of your own.

They want to hear your voice and are sincerely interested in every mundane detail of your chaotic life. Just a phone call away…

Like it or not, Mom wasn’t around forever, and Dad isn’t going to be around forever, either, Rhonda. Take your head out of the sand and appreciate the two who made you. No one will ever love you as much as they do.

21 reasons to call your parent every single day.

1. They have your best interest at heart, no ulterior motives. They are your Mommy and Daddy.
2. They are the only ones who can listen to you talk about yourself for 30 minutes straight without rolling their eyes. They wholeheartedly encourage your narcissism.
3. They will congratulate you just for getting out of bed. It is a huge achievement, and thus, you are amazing.
4. They never fail to make your day and know what to say when you’re feeling crappy about yourself.
5. They made you, so you kind of owe them. She carried you for nine months and then pushed your fat head out of her body, and they financially supported you throughout childhood and protected you as best they could from life’s tragedies. They deserve a phone call.
6. They give the best advice they know how to give. There is no advice like Mom and Dad’s advice.
7. You got it from your Mama and Dad! You have them to thank for your gorgeous face.
8. They are always in your corner. When you need someone to vent to about your horrible boss, they’re automatically on your team.
9. You’ll feel more connected to them. Especially since they live far away, a phone call is the best way to stay close.
10. To complain about your life being in shambles. When your friends were sick of hearing about it, and you were too poor for formal therapy, remember that Dr. Mom and Dr. Dad were there to listen and support. They have a PhD in “you.”
11. To complain, period. No one else wants to hear about how bitter you are towards everything and everyone. Not that they WANT to hear it, but they won’t hang up on you.
12. They should be among your best friends. They were your first friend; they will be your forever friend.
13. They won’t judge you. Of course, they have disagreed with some of your life choices, but Mom and Dad love you too much to judge you, and they accept you for who you are today.
14. They know you better than anyone and can speak with greater perspective than any of your basic friends.
15. They are more like you than anyone. Scary thought, yes, but they do share your genes.
16. Mom and Dad are lonely with you so far away. Now that you are living your own life, the nest is empty; Mom will always be a Mom, and Dad will always be a Dad. They need your sincere care, concern, and support after supporting you for the past 20,30,40,50 years. It’s time to ask them about THEIR lives for a change, rather than dominating the conversation and making it all about you.
17. They genuinely want to talk to you. Getting a phone call from you will be the highlight of their day. Doesn’t knowing that make you feel special?
18. They have paid the bill how many times now? They still fund so much, even now that you are a fully-functioning adult, so you should show some appreciation.
19. Mom needs girl talk. She probably doesn’t have a whole gaggle of friends sitting around, waiting for girl talk. And she misses just “hanging out” with you. Likewise, Dad needs to feel like his advice is needed and wanted. Parents “take care of things.” Just because they are older doesn’t mean that characteristic goes away. Dad also needs to feel like you LIKE hanging out with him – not because you need anything, but because you just like being with him.
20. You can never talk to Mom or Dad too much. You may be in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s now, living your big, hot-shot life, but you know you’ll always need their advice for basically everything and anything.
21. To tell Mom you love her. To tell Dad you love him. Enough said.

 Adapted from the article by Gigi Engle from Elite Daily.

So, I am grateful for my parents.

I am grateful for the reminder to pick up the phone and call Dad and spend time with him. I should be the one to make the effort at this stage of life. I am not a child anymore.

I am grateful that I haven’t been a complete failure in life – that I have been able to experience the happiness mentioned in the title above. Not always, but most always.

And I am grateful that I am a Mom and feel what my own Mom felt – the overwhelming joy and inner thrill, the overwhelming grief and deep hurt that only a parent can know. I am grateful that after all of these years, I finally “get it.”

I am grateful for joy unspeakable.

I am grateful for heartfelt prayer.

I am grateful for Bateman brownies.

I am grateful for the simple fun of watching The Jetsons.

I am grateful for an evening sitting at the dining room table with friends and great discussion.

I am grateful for the convenience of the CVS Minute Clinic…and prescriptions under $2.

I am grateful for the beauty of orange hot coals.

I am grateful that bills are paid and tithe is made.

And I am grateful that Sam took a break from the project to finish watching The Voice with me tonight. I love that he enjoys music, too.