This was my view when I took a break during my work day and left the air conditioning of my office for a 15 minute walk.

And this was my view tonight on my walk after work, before dinner and a granddaughter’s middle school band concert.

I am grateful for motivation.

I am grateful for the ability to listen to the beautiful silence.

I am grateful for the eye sting of sweat that indicates I am moving.

I am grateful for the privilege of a Zoom band concert from Washington state.

I am grateful for sweeeeeet watermelon for dinner.

I am grateful for people in my life who are examples of humility and grace, who listen more than they converse, who ask questions more than they give answers. Someday, I hope to be like them.

I am grateful for early morning sprinkles that made the humid walk tolerable.

And I am grateful for these two guys who are enjoying their time in Oklahoma this week.

I am grateful for bittersweet when I see this picture. It is a smile-frown-love-hurt feeling.

I am grateful for all those iris purples even if I have to enjoy them from a picture.

I am grateful for showers and showers of blessings all around me these days.

I am grateful for emotional heart stretching that is uncomfortable but my brain says is a good thing.

I am grateful for a plate of salad with no dressing.

I am grateful for vacuum lines in carpet so I know where I have been.

I am grateful for a window to watch the rain that makes me happy.

I am grateful for trees and the variety of trees in this city that offer shade and a place to hang a swing and a place to sit under and lean back.

We may ask for greater faith so that we can heal others, but God, who understands human need far better than we do, gives us greater compassion so that we can weep with others.

Richard Foster

I am grateful for those in my life who share my anger and my sorrow over societal issues…mutual understanding is powerful.

I am grateful for new books.

I am grateful for evident growth in our son and a fun new job for him to look forward to.

I am grateful for a call from Karissa in the middle of the day.

And I am grateful to be a cat lady now, but I am not so grateful for daily vacuuming. Actually, yes I am. I am grateful for daily vacuuming and a vacuum to daily vacuum.