I am grateful for just enough time on Saturday to have had lunch with Lisa and catch up on life.

I am grateful that my CASA girl’s review hearing went well and there is much hope for her future.

I am grateful for a young girl named Tymber who has found her way into my heart.

 

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong – because someday in life you will be all of these. – George Washington Carver

I am grateful to be able to see thunder boomers. Why huge puffy storm clouds are called that, I have no idea, but I love this time of year when there is almost always a masterpiece in the sky.

I am grateful for a cool basement on a warm and muggy evening, and grateful that Dad doesn’t mind sharing his living room with us to watch the Royals play.

I am grateful for lots of work at work.

I am grateful for the chew of oatmeal combined with the taste of peanut butter and chocolate with an occasional crunch of a peanut.

I am grateful for a few minutes to watch the action in the backyard this evening – a bright red-headed woodpecker, a yellow finch, a cardinal family, robins, mourning doves, those rotten crows, pesky squirrels, and a wascally wabbit.

I am grateful that my daughter shares pictures with me.

I am grateful for time this morning in Ephesians 5.

I am grateful for mini Gobstoppers, the perfect amount of sweet at about 3:30 in the afternoon.

I am grateful for a washing machine in my home to use instead of at a laundromat.

I am grateful that Sam doesn’t need me to help him with taxes. Translation: Sam doesn’t WANT me to help him with taxes.

I am grateful for Panera ice, like Sonic ice, just bigger.

I am grateful for people who say “folks” and “holler.”

And I am grateful for batteries.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long!
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

We walked this morning just as the light of day was beginning to wake the robins. It was muggy and still, the ground beneath us soggy with moisture from heavy air that was like a wet blanket. As I stepped on each square of sidewalk, I was amused at how the Bradford Pear trees created an instant party for the attendees – just shake some flower confetti and voilà  – a polka-dotted landscape!

Now, I could have been so easily annoyed. Kind of like I would get when one of the girls needed some kind of art project done for class and the kitchen table would get covered in glitter that would not go away no matter how hard I tried. Or the way I would get when cat hair was forever imbedded in every inch of clothing and furniture, and no matter how hard I tried to vacuum and lintbrush it away, it was permanently affixed unless I finger tweezed every last hair.

But I wasn’t annoyed. I chose to be grateful. Grateful for a spontaneous eye party.  I had another one of my silly little daydreams about a neighborhood/citywide tree and bird party to celebrate Easter, with polka-dots and pretty tulips and daffodils lining the rooms, the noise of the party-goers chirping and singing their latest news and their excitement that spring has arrived and He is risen, He is risen indeed!

I am grateful for color. I am grateful that my eyes can see pink. That I know happy purple and bright green and vibrant red and sunburst yellow and Royals blue and fire orange.

I am grateful for an array of flowers in this city. I am grateful for residents who like to fill their flowerbeds with all kinds, bursting and dainty.

I am grateful for flowers specific for cutting and showing in a vase.

I am grateful that my Dad continues to display a fresh flower outside his bedroom door, in remembrance of Mom.

I am grateful for my husband who knows I love flowers and therefore gives them when I least expect. Like today.

For no reason other than this:

He surprised me with these, delivered to my desk:

The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart. – Unknown

I didn’t think it was possible to actually have a happy Easter without grandchildren hunting Easter eggs and my daughters in the kitchen with me.

I didn’t think it was possible to actually have a happy Easter without the whole family together and eating off of Mom’s china sitting on top of the quirky signature tablecloth.

I didn’t think it was possible to have a happy Easter without laying in bed listening to the girls whisper and giggle as they discovered their Easter baskets and began their Sunday morning Easter egg hunt, spying eggs hidden all over the house.

I didn’t think it was possible to actually anticipate and have tears of joy when hearing the message of Easter, the hymns of Easter, the hope of Easter. The worst thing is never the last thing… I not only BELIEVE the message of Easter, I’m COUNTING on it.

This year, Easter was going to be very uneventful for me. Yes, my Dad is here. It was the most exciting part of the weekend for me, because I anticipated taking him to experience the sunrise service at church, one of my favorites at our church. But that was about the extent of the excitement for the day. The small Easter boxes had been taped up and sent to Oregon and Texas, to be opened and enjoyed without this Ama nearby to offer a hug to go along with the candy and Bunny FooFoo cookies. Nearby family had other plans. We waffled on spending money at the grocery store for “just another meal at home” or spending money to go out for brunch, since it was just us.

I kept the tears at bay by repeating in my head, “It’s just another day. It’s just another day. It’s just another day.”

But then, my sister decided to stay in town and join us.

And then, Julie sent a message.

We discovered that our friends also had no plans for the day. We discovered that Sam’s niece and family also had no plans for the day. And the plan was put into motion. A trip to the grocery store on Saturday morning. A trip to the hardware store on Saturday afternoon for a few flowers for the pots on the patio and in the flower bed out front. A Saturday morning cleaning of the house, with the bulk of the work done by Dad. The yard mowed for the first time this season, green-carpet-ready for company on Sunday. Card tables borrowed for enough seating on the patio. Easter eggs loaded with candy for a hunt in the back yard. Because, you know, 15 people for Easter lunch doesn’t just happen.

I am so grateful for the pinkish, orange-ish, purple-ish sky as we drove to church on Sunday morning.

I am so grateful for the music and message at 7 am. From the moment we sat down until the benediction and sending, the tears welled in my eyes and I had such a sense of joy and sadness and excitement and happiness and wished that my girls could witness the service, that Mom could see from Heaven what we were experiencing here on Earth. As the choir sang, “Were you there when He rose up from the grave!”, I imagined Mom imploring us to pay attention, that if only we could see what she sees now, we’d hang on and live life to its fullest! That for all of the years we’ve believed, YES! we should COUNT on it, because the worst thing is never the last thing! Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

Chills I had. Joy I experienced.

I am so grateful for a sister who spent her Easter with us, helping to prepare the meal, sitting at the table sharing her silliness in a game of Family Feud, getting to know our friends.

I am so grateful for a friend who felt comfortable enough to send me a message and share that they had no plans for the day and would love to spend it with us. That’s a true friend.

I am so grateful for her family that enriched our day and infused fun and laughter and fullness into this mostly quiet home.

I am grateful for three girls who have been raised to participate, to communicate, to be present. Not once all day, did we see a device in their hands. Not once all day, did they excuse themselves to their own world. I am grateful for the time we were privileged to spend with them, laughing and talking and getting to know them a little better.

I am grateful for Sam’s niece and her family, for her three boys who are certainly full of life and silliness and added much entertainment to the day.

I am grateful for Sam’s daughter who chose to spend her Easter with us, when she could have spent it with friends, with other family, or with her nursing textbooks.

I am grateful for my Dad, who chose to be present and not disappear into his world. He made Aunt Drula’s salad all by himself! He took over Mom’s job of buttering the slices of french bread. He washed windows. He vacuumed and swept and moved tables and cleaned up the patio and filled the feeder and cleaned the counters. And when it was time to eat together, we gathered in a circle and held hands, and Dad offered our Easter Sunday blessing, just as it should be.

I am grateful for Sam, my husband, my partner. Sitting next to him during the morning service, knowing he was experiencing the same joy and sadness and excitement as I, holding hands and holding back tears in sync – my heart swells with love for this man. He was so intent on our home being prepared for our company. He made a special trip to the store and brought home daffodils and roses for an Easter “touch.” He didn’t disappear to the big screen to watch TV in the afternoon – he was present to host and enjoy and give love to those in our home. He played games. He prepared the meal with me, and washed dishes with me, and cleaned up afterwards with me, and all the while, he told me, “Thank you.”

It IS possible to have a happy Easter again. I know. I had one. Yesterday.

Finally, I am grateful for the message of Easter. As one of the pastors shared on Sunday morning, “We are Easter people.” I am grateful that because of Jesus, the worst thing is never the last thing. I not only believe the message of Easter, I am counting on it.

Playing on my internal jukebox all day and now into my sleep, (along with “Devil with a Blue Dress”):

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way!
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart,
You ask me how I know He lives, He LIVES WITHIN MY HEART!

I am grateful today for a new dentist office that makes me so happy and excited to maybe, just maybe, finally get my mouth fixed this year. I walked in and was immediately greeted by name by the sweetest office manager who had much in common with me, who goes to my church, who made me feel like I was the most important person ever, and then I sat down in the beautiful little waiting area and realized that the quiet music coming from the speaker in the ceiling was KLOVE, and then I was attended to by an adorable young dental assistant who was so gentle and kind, and then I was introduced to the dentist who actually did my cleaning and talked to me about church and where I grew up and what brought me to the area and was so thorough in walking me through what my immediate dental plan looked like. I felt like I was home, and if you live in the area, you need to drop everything right now and ask me where your next dental appointment should be scheduled.

I am grateful for a really nice walk and talk with my CASA girl last night.

I am grateful for 0-60 no plans and kind-of-bummed Easter Sunday plans to Holy Deviled Eggs Batman, We’re-Gonna-Have-A-House-Full-Of-Company plans, thanks to my dear friend, Julie.

I am grateful for morning rain that leads to afternoon sunshine.

I am grateful that my Dad is playing golf again.

I am grateful that Katherine is spending her first Easter in heaven.

I am grateful for a boss who surprised me with little Lindt Bugs and Bees Easter chocolates this morning.

I am grateful to have spoken with Delores last night.

I am grateful for sore teeth that make me not want to eat.

I am grateful that OPENING DAY IS ALMOST HERE! And no, I’m not talking about the Royals. I’m talking about the tomb being empty! Okay, and the Royals, just a little.

I am grateful that my sister WILL make colored deviled eggs for Sunday, won’t you, Angela?

I am grateful for this prayer on my desk calendar this morning:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the opportunity to laugh. Help me to find joy in everything that I do. Let me laugh and be cheerful, so that those around me will be blessed by my smile and my optimism. Amen. – Kim Boyce

I am grateful that we will hide some Easter eggs in the yard on Sunday – it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to have Easter with little ones…

I am grateful for chips and salsa with Sam.

I am grateful for my pastor.

And I am grateful for this Michael Youssef quote:

In His first coming, Jesus wore a crown of thorns. In His second coming, He will be crowned with many crowns.

I am grateful that we do not eat squirrels but could feed an army if we had to.

I am grateful for the reminder to be a sunflower, always looking toward the sunlight.

I am grateful for memories of dyeing Easter eggs with the girls, using the white crayon, the little wire dipper, the smell of vinegar in the water, and pretty plop plop fizz fizz tablets of color

I am grateful to have the privilege of sitting on the patio, listening to Dad describe his latest read.

I am grateful that the earliest riser, Rowdy Robin RedBreast, lives in a tree about a block away.

I am grateful for the best mac & cheese ever in the history of the world at Panera.

Which also reminds me to be grateful for the best chicken in the history of the world, Chick-fil-a nuggets,  with the exception of Mom’s fried in her electric skillet.

Which also reminds me to be grateful for the best French fries in the history of the world, Freddie’s fries, which goes nicely with the best chocolate custard ever in the history of the world.

Which reminds me to include how grateful I am for the best beef enchiladas ever in the history of the world, at LaLa’s in Mirando City, Texas, if you ever happen to stop in/swing by/make a special trip.

I am grateful for wonderful news from a friend today about results from her latest scan which showed a decrease in the mass in her lung and her acceptance into a groundbreaking clinical trial that begins in two weeks.

I am grateful for counseling and for the best counselor in the history of the world.

I am grateful for the quiet anticipation I have for Sunday morning’s 7:00 am service.

And I am grateful for this Bob Goff quote today:

If I had one last meal, I wouldn’t spend it with the person I knew would betray me. Love does.