We got a letter in the mail today from Johnny Carson. Actually, Dad, but Johnny Carson. I tore open that envelope because Dad RARELY sends us anything and so my heart was a mix of excitement and panic, yay and uh-oh.

He didn’t disappoint, that’s for sure. Inside, he was soooo Dad. The contents were just as Dad is – quiet, with a punchline.

He sent photocopies, cut nice and neatly, of three cartoons. That’s all.

It was just the right timing, too. We are dealing with several things right now in this home. My good friend, soon-to-be-author-Linda wrote last week:

In my mind, this is how I often picture what your days are like.  Having to be the strong one, the calm one, the compassionate one, the nurturing one, the gottaholditalltogether one is a tiring task.  I pray for you and Sam daily.  I have scolded God for your situation and asked Him why life is so unfair.  He guides my prayers to prayers of healing, faith,and miracles.   I want to move to [small town USA] and take care of you both.  To make sure you have time for each other and to make sure that laughter rings through your home. Silly I know.  It has to be hard living a life you didn’t ask for. But then I think this life is so much better than your past.  You have love, you have worth, you have strength.  Rhonda, I will quit yammering and just say I love you and your hubby.   I know this isn’t the master plan you may have had, but it is the Master’s plan and He will not fail you.  Hugs! Love you more than mosquito repellent.

Between Karen and Linda and Geri and Lisa and Chris, and now Dad – we feel very loved through our mailbox.

I am grateful on this Friday evening for moments that make me smile or grin big or chuckle or guffaw.

I am grateful for silliness last night, all by myself, while Sam was at a meeting. I decided to stop cleaning and relax, so I turned on the TV and watched Holey Moley, the summer miniature golf competition that looked so slapstick dumb. Rob Riggle made me laugh so hard…

I am grateful for grandchildren stories and videos that stop me dead in my tracks – mustseeTV.

I am grateful for the Master’s plan, for mosquito repellent, for photocopied cartoons, for videos of the best grandchildren in the world, for mail that doesn’t include a due date but is full of sweet words and encouragement, for low humidity, and finally,

I am grateful for any meal that I do not have to prepare these days. Well, not ANY meal. I wouldn’t be grateful for seafood or fish. Or turnip gratin. Or Indian or Thai food. Or Greek food. And certainly not stinky cooked cauliflower that is disguised as mashed potatoes or pizza crust or not disguised at all, or beets or artichokes or brussel sprouts or salad with lots of vegetables in it.

Okay. I am grateful for the opportunity to prepare my/our own meals.