This morning, I am grateful for the smell of dryer sheets and laundry piles that are shrinking.

I am grateful for the feel of a great pillow under my head.

I am grateful for the way Natia’s mouth curves into a smile as she sleeps.

I am grateful to see little kids on bicycles with towels wrapped around their necks, riding to swimming lessons on a cool summer morning…only in Small Town USA.

I am grateful for the reminder on Sunday to think of the things that make me smile.

I am grateful for the beauty of the extraordinary all around us that we so often take for granted.

I am grateful for ice in my water.

I am grateful for perennials that just bloom again and again without me having to be so conscientious and prepared.

I am grateful for our trees with names. Uncle Sy, Scooby, Dooby, and Doo, Gladys Kravitz, Mick the Syc…

I am grateful for homemade banana bread and grateful the kids left me lots of ripe bananas to use up.

I am grateful for the beauty of thunder boomers.

I am grateful for a job that allows me to work at home.

I am grateful that Sam and I pay bills together and he includes me in the finance story.

I am grateful that my Dad is walking so much. He inspires me to get back out there.

I am grateful for stamps that are not boring.

I am grateful for the emotions that overcome when you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the ordinary and the every day.

And I am grateful for a daughter who wanted to come and spend a week with her Mom and Step Dad.

“Earth’s crammed with heaven. And every common bush afire with God. But only he who sees, takes off his shoes. The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning