Monday, March 18, 2024

Homecomings

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 78: Today, I am grateful for homecomings.

There is something wonderful about homecomings.

 I've never been able to watch soldier homecomings without choking up. There was a commercial showing a soldier being reunited with her big, gray dog. The affection is deep and real. 

Videos showing soldiers who show up at their children's schools when they get home always make me cry. 

Young adults surprising parents with an unexpected homecoming from college is always sweet, too. 

I could not help but think of Joseph being reunited with his father, Jacob, and brothers. The story has some really ugly parts, but the reunions, forgiveness, and redemption in the story are unforgettable. Joseph didn't go home. Home came to Joseph. God redeemed the ugly and turned for their good. He has a way of doing that. 

"When Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time. " Genesis 46:28b

Today, I am grateful for homecomings.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

A Good Night's Sleep

 Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 77: Today, I am grateful for a good night’s sleep.

Rest is so important to well being. It is easy to neglect. I am not good at protecting my sleep hours. I feel better when I do.
Yesterday was full of physical activity. I could hear the bed calling me to sleep. So, I answered the call. A good sleep is the best way to recharge.

Today, I am grateful for a good night’s sleep.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Caribbean Blues

 Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 76: Today, I am grateful for Caribbean blues.

They are my favorite blues. They were Mama Ina Mae's, too. From the color of a robin's egg and sea glass to the blue ink of deeper waters. They are beautiful. beyond compare.

My favorite is the color of Caribbean waters when the water is shallow. It is a clear and truly magnificent. I never tire of the color.

The majesty of His creation never ceases to awe and amaze. How many colors are there on the spectrum?

Today, I am grateful for Caribbean blues.








Sunscreen

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 75: Today, I am grateful for sunscreen.

I love the sun. I do not like being sunburned. In this chapter of my life, I do not want to speed the aging process. Sunscreen is my friend.

Back around 1997, Mary Schmich wrote a book called, Wear Sunscreen (A Primer for Real Life). If I recall, it was a graduation address. Someone was smart enough to encourage her to put it in a book. It is full of advice for the young just starting out. Wear sunscreen is the last tidbit of advice given.

Sunscreen should be common sense, but it is sometimes an afterthought. I don't like how it feels. I do appreciate the benefits.

Love the sun, but respect it, too. And don't forget the sunscreen. There are times we all need shelter.

"For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock." -Psalm 27:5

That passage reminds me to be grateful for shelter and protection. 

Today, I am grateful for sunscreen.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Play

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 74: Today, I am grateful for play.

"Play is the highest form of research." -Albert Einstein

What a wonderful quote! It is full of truth. So many of the greatest discoveries in the world have been accidental or a result of play. While attempting to create or solve one problem, another fun discovery was made.

They say that play is a child's work. Grown-ups need play, too. Play increases our sense of well-being.

What is your favorite form of play? For some it is art or dancing. For others, they sculpt beautiful gardens and carve from wood. A simple card game or crochet are different kinds of play. Write a song or a poem. It is all play.

"Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy." -Psalm 33:3

Today, I am grateful for play.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Puzzles

Daily Gratitude Year 12 - Day 73: Today, I am grateful for puzzles.

I enjoy puzzles and mysteries. I like to figure things out before the solution is revealed. It is a good way to keep our brains active. Wordle is the latest word puzzle I use to relax. Some find it frustrating. I find it a way to unwind.

I have a fun memory of playing puzzles with Randy's side of the family a few years ago at our Craig and Monica's house (our nephew, niece, and great-niece, Addy, too). It is not something we get to do often, but we were gathered to grieve and had some extra time. It was a perfect way to hang out together with all ages.

The puzzle was a Florida map. Many conversations grew out of the places on the map of Florida. We shared memories and laughter. We made more memories. I can hear Lola and Sheryl saying, "Randy!" in a way that only sisters can.

There are times puzzles are hard to figure out. It often seems the pieces do not fit together as they should. There are times when a piece does not seem right, but it fits perfectly in the end.

It is a perfect metaphor of God's hand in the plan of our world and or lives. We tend to think we our the center of the universe. In our own families, we have to adjust if a family member has special needs or is simply struggling. Imagine being the Creator of the Universe and trying to balance one treasured child's needs against the other?

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." - Romans 8:28

I am grateful for the promise that even in the hard days, our God is working things out. I am grateful he designed us with a sense of curiosity and the desire to solve puzzles and mysteries.

Today, I am grateful for puzzles.


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Gratitude Year 12 - Day 72: Today, I am grateful for plants that repel mosquitoes.

Warmer weather has me thinking about evenings on the patio. If it is nice, Randy and I eat out there most evenings. We love sitting under the pergola at the end of the day. Food tastes better outdoors. The only downside is the mosquitoes.

We grow mosquitoes fairly large in Illinois. They drive me crazy. I seem to be more susceptible than Randy. Did you know there are plants you can add to your landscape to ward off the unwanted mosquitoes?

Last year I planted lemongrass and citronella to deter the pesky bugs. There was a bit of basil too. I think this year I will be more intentional and add in some lavender, rosemary and lemon thyme to the mix.

Spring plantings are just around the corner. The ambitious will start from seeds. I will make my way the local garden centers to capture my favorites.

The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. -Genesis 1:12

Some plants are really good!

Today, I am grateful for plants that repel mosquitoes.