Gratitude Friday- Signs of Spring

Some images I captured this morning. The earth is surely waking up from her winter nap. It was merely a cat nap for the south east. What a mild winter it has been.

Good morning sunshine!

All this beauty just outside my door and for this I am grateful!

I am also grateful for the laughter of babies. The pure and honest giggle of delight that comes from a soul unaffected by the world. Yesterday I  had dinner in the company of a little guy not yet 2 and that little man smiled and laughed and giggled for the entire time. It was a group of about 10 ladies and this sweet smiling toddler and you couldn't be anyway but happy in his presence.  His laughter was contagious and infectious and I am so glad to have shared the hour with him.

I am grateful for the diversity of people. God made everyone unique and filled with purpose. I cannot even wrap my mind around the knowledge that people like Bill Gates have. The contribution he has made to this world is beyond belief. We can't all be that brilliant but God gave each of us gifts. It sometimes amazes me thinking about the makeup of a human being. How in the world could anyone think that we came to be by accident? The complexity of each individual and the fact that every single soul has their own place and purpose in the universe. Like a puzzle that needs all the pieces to be complete.... Yea dude, far out!..Sorry about that little drift of into  philosophical ramblings. I am just amazed at the wonder of God.

I am grateful for my family. My crazy dysfunctional family. If I ever am lulled into feeling that false sense of security. That comfortable place where all is well and nobody is rocking the boat I get reminded that just isn't meant to be. Never has been and never will be. So what can I do. I can't escape to a tropical oasis and sip pretty umbrella drinks. I have to learn to roll with the punches and be thankful for the happy times and know that the rocky times will pass. One day these teenagers will be adults. Hopefully gainfully employed adults. Adults who contribute in a positive way to society. And they will have families of their own. And I hope and pray when they have children those children will drive them absolutely crazy. And I will smile and say see what you put me through? Karma dude! Kids! Gotta love 'em. (otherwise you'd kill 'em)

I know that blogging allows a tiny window of insight into the world of others.  It is truly a different kind of relationship. A kinship of strangers. Strangers that may know things about you that even your family doesn't know. Strangers that share ups and downs. The friends I have made because of this blog may not be coming over for dinner but they are real none the less. On my "about me" page I joked about my one friend Kelli. That is a little joke between she and I and our husbands. We are as close as sisters. I tend to be kind of a home body and I am also not extremely outgoing. I don't know if you could call it shy or what. I have church friends and people in the community I have a friendly relationship with but no one other than Kelli I talk on the phone with. No one I go shopping with. (except for Alyssa of course) She is much the same way although not to the degree I am. But we joke that we are each other's only friend. Well she may still be the only one I go shopping with or talk on the phone with but she is certainly not my "only" friend anymore. I am grateful for this blog and how it has expanded my little world.

I am also grateful for chapstick, hooded zippered jackets with pockets, good smelling candles, pizza, chocolate milk, mascara, antiperspirant, indoor plumbing, and peanut butter. I am also grateful that my little girl is coming home to visit this weekend.

Comments

[Dawn]

nice post...have a nice weekend with your girl..
:o)

[beki]

Many things to be grateful for, indeed. Enjoy your weekend.

[DebR]

Lovely list of things to be grateful for and those photos are gorgeous!

[Amanda8]

Lots of grateful goodness! I am so jealous of your spring. I am looking out my window at 9 inches of snow!

[Tanya]

Kids! Gotta love 'em. (otherwise you'd kill 'em)
Im signing all my emails with this ROFL...hehehe

[Leanne]

Thanks for the beautiful post today. We do need to step back and take stock of all we are grateful for more often!

[kristy]

I love your gratitude fridays.Your spring pictures are a little different from mine!The crocus and daffs are peeping through (a bed of snow!)

[peggy]

You gave me food for thought on things to be thankful for today.... thanks and have a great weekend.

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[Ang]

beautiful deck! You must have a nice camera my digital sure doesn't take shots like that!(flowers & kitty)too cute!
http://norththreads.blogspot.com/

[Design Diva]

Spring is my favourite season when every is new, fresh AND green! :-)

[LLA]

You have captured how I feel about the two-and-under set exactly! I know that the terrible twos get a bad rep, but I love that age group.

I also love your cat! A noble looking feline...

[justine]

I LOVE spring! We are just about to go into Autumn here in Australia!!
I loved the photo's of your porches as well.
I know what you mean about infectious laughter of a baby, my little one makes each day more worthwhile with her smiles, and yep I'm sure what goes around will come back around (KARMA) as Molly grows up. She already gets this look on her face that scares me!!!!!!