So, I’ve sat down here to move myself back 180 degrees to where I was yesterday. A solution to the printer problem will be found or (really don’t want to do this) I’ll just have to go buy a new one (any suggestions about printers appreciated).
Right off the
top, I am extremely grateful for my good health. Yes, at almost 69, my body
does have some quirks that cause me difficulty now and then, but it’s nothing
that cannot be lived/dealt with. I am capable of walking 3-5 miles a day, working
in the garden, cleaning my own home, driving myself to and from; and I’m
planning to remain this independent for as long as possible.
There’s also the
fact I was able to retire and not have to worry overmuch about how the bills
would get paid. True, I’m not planning any round-the-world trips in the near
future, but having the funds to support my life show up on a regular basis
without having to work 40 hours a week at anything besides what I want to work
at is a great blessing.
Please don’t
think I’m putting my “grateful for” paragraphs in any particular order because
being grateful for my sons and their families is right at the top. Either son
could have moved far away rather than barely five miles which would haven’t
allowed me to be a part of their lives on a regular basis. The only possible
outcome that would have been better would have been if they moved right into my
neighborhood.
Son #1 married a
woman I like to think of as my friend even though we don’t spend the kind
of time together we once did…life has a way of sucking up what were once
free hours and minutes. Together, they gave me a wonderful granddaughter who is
beautiful, clever, bright, silly and the apple of one of my eyes. In her 13
years, we’ve shared movies, trips, laughs, the Nutcracker each Christmas,
shopping and just hanging out. My time with her and being able to see each of
her achievements as they happen is true happiness.
Son #2 took his
time with regard to finding a partner, but when he did, he not only took her
into our lives, but the two children she already had (reminded me of how my
daddy took on me and my grandma when he married my mom). Again, I hope she
views me as a friend while her children see me as a plus in their lives. Together,
they expanded their family of two to three with the birth of my grandson (the apple of my other eye) this
past August. To know I’m welcome to pop in whenever I want to (although I do
always text or call first…just good manners), snatch the grandboy from whoever
or whatever he’s doing makes my heart expand (to quote Dr. Seuss) three times its
size.
It’s also a
comfort to know both sons are close enough and willing to provide assistance
with projects that are now beyond their parents. I never knew the sliding glass
door could be moved with my little finger…thank you, thank you, thank you Son
#1. I love my deck swing, but the sun would have cooked me all summer and made
the house hotter had Son #2 not stapled Goodwill sheets to the roof joists…thank
you, thank you thank you. These are just a couple examples of how they’ve made our lives
better by giving of their time. Surely those time donations will increase as we
parents age; and surely our sons know how valuable their assistance with keeping us
comfortable and independent is to us.
When it comes to
counting blessings, I cannot forget the man who’s been a part of my life for 49
years this coming February. Our marriage of 48 years hasn’t been 48 years of
solid bliss. Like most married couples, we’ve had our difficulties, failures to
communicate, and times when (I’m sure I speak for both of us) we’ve wanted to
walk out the door never to return. But, it’s the bliss we shared during those
same years that’s kept us together…besides our children and grandchildren,
those bliss experiences are too numerous to mention here (perhaps bliss blogs
should be on the menu).
Rounding out
blessings in my life are the people I am privileged to call my friends.
They range from an individual who was once my boss and taught me so many things
to individuals I haven’t seen in years. I’m so fortunate to be able to see my local
friends on a regular basis whether it’s for a movie, lunch, glass of wine or just to hang out.
Those friends who live far away still bless my life, and I know if we were to
come face-to-face tomorrow, our interactions would be the same as if we’d just
been together the previous week. Of course, we do keep in touch via email, text
or phone calls. Rather do miss those letters and tapes some of us used to exchange, but
at least we have all stayed technologically relevant.
There are many other
things I could list here for which I am very thankful, i.e., books, television,
movies, birds, flowers, rain, snow and anything that adds to my enjoyment of
life. Those above are the major ones and writing this has, indeed, moved my
mental state back 180 degrees to positivity. Who knows, perhaps the printer will become
something for which I’m thankful once it’s fixed, especially if it provides me
with a new learning opportunity.
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