Day Eleven: 30 Days of Gratitude

At this moment, I am curled up on my couch indulging in my passion for writing, while listening to my two daughters chatter and laugh as they get ready for school tomorrow and bedtime tonight.  It is a rainy and cold night, and it seems even darker than usual.  It feels like the air is tinged with a bit of sadness that perfectly commingle with the peace, and I find myself in another reflective state of mind.  As I recount the events of the day, there was plenty to smile about and be grateful for, and tonight, I share with you three of these things:

1. Veterans Day.  Today, we honor and remember all of the men and women who have served this great nation of ours.  Without their sacrifices, courage, and bravery, we would not be here to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  I truly cannot imagine the challenges, perils, and horrors that some of these men and women faced during their military service, all the while knowing that at any time, they may have to put their life on the line.  That is a true hero!  So, I thank all veterans for their service, and I hope that we all show our gratitude to them today and every day. 
2. A call from my friends’ Dad.  I am thankful for the connection that I have with a very special family that has developed over the last four years.  The story of how our lives became intertwined is one that I need to tell some day, as it is  remarkable how in a world of 7+ billion people, we somehow found our way to one another, even though we are scattered across the country.  I am grateful for their support and friendship every day, but today, the 77-year-old patriarch of the family gets an appreciative nod.  His calls, without fail, brighten my day, and we talk about everything and nothing at all.  He really does listen to me and take an interest in my life, and I thoroughly enjoy listening to his stories, no matter how many times he has told them to me.  Despite our wide age gap, we have formed a dear friendship that leaves me feeling so very thankful.
3. A reconnection with an old friend.  During the past few years, I have felt like my life has become a revolving door of friends coming and going, and while I usually welcome the comings, the goings have thrown me for a loop, to say the least.  So, to be able to unexpectedly reconnect with a friend in a reconfigured way was a welcome surprise.

As the darkness of this night deepens, so does my gratitude for all that I have, for it is more than enough.

Just one thing each day . . .