There is nothing like thinking about stressful things, to make one {or at least me} also feel a huge sense of gratitude and blessings. For some that may sound strange, but I often find beauty in challenges and a bit of perspective. The reality is there are good people around the world really suffering and the stresses and strains I face pale in comparison. So today here is my list of things I’m so very thankful for.
- Your kind comments: especially on this post and this one. Validation that sometimes this solo-gig is hard is always appreciated – thank you from the bottom of my heart!
- Lovely memories of England and good chats with my closest friend there who can now call Canada for free. As I’ve been homesick, it is nice to try to focus on the good and not the longing {though I’d do anything for a walk along the moors with the children, with lovely wild Dartmoor ponies in the background, or sit in a cottage on the Isle of Skye, looking at the beautiful coastline}.
- Our home – housing takes up at least 85% of my income {not becuase we over-stretched to buy a large home, but because I have a single income and am a charity worker, so whether it be rent or owning I was in the same position of it taking up almost everything}, so I so appreciate the blessing of our home. After each other, it is most important.
- Candles – each evening now after dinner I light candles {though I have to say, that may be cut with the new budget}. They remind me to breathe and enjoy this moment.
- This week my mum took the children out for a couple of hours. She isn’t that type of grandparent to do excursions or craft/bake/read/play etc {which is fine, we are all unique and I think children learning to embrace that is a good thing}, but in the end she somewhat reluctantly agreed to carve out some time for them to spend together. I was pleased for them all and enjoyed the quiet space after deciding it was quite needed! They went to the cinema – not my first choice, but this wasn’t about me.
- The fact I have money in jars so I can buy some bandages at the pharmacy to put on my foot {I have two growths on my feet at present – lovely!}. Many people don’t have a cent to their name – we are blessed.
- I have a job which pays me monthly. In times like these that is a real blessing.
- Simple blogs. I don’t really read blogs anymore, but yesterday spent some time {kept it open through the day} on a blog friend’s simple, lovely blog. I’m not sure if she wants to be linked so I won’t, but just seeing a family formed through the beauty of adoption, enjoy days at a no-frills park, sit in their yard to play a game or two, with no fancy camera, no fancy life, was beautiful. Plus seeing jolly ol’ England is always lovely.
- Friends – we are blessed. Having the children has really made me narrow my circle, because they needed authentic special relationships, not more people coming and going in their lives. As a result, four good friends have become four great friends. We now have a few added people in there too and it is wonderful. There isn’t a day that I take them for granted – I am blessed.
- Some lovely offers of support from blog readers. Several of them made me cry. Thank you!
- My favourite verse “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28. It gets me through anything.
What are you thankful for this week?
Thank you for reminding me to be thankful. I’m thankful today for supportive, loving friends and family that surrounded us physically and in spirit at the baptism of our long waited for son. And for the blessing of his brightening our hearts when during the service he twice said Amen at the end of prayers – at only 13 months we were chuffed. I’m thankful for a warm home after the boiler seeming quit at weekend. And am thankful for a helpful community that help look after our son when I need to go to meetings in the evening. I’m thankful for the blessing of being reminded of the scripture verse about coming with heavy burdens and finding rest. Lightened my load in just hearing it.
I am thankful for you and your blog. You always make me look at my life and see what I have with new eyes. We are all blessed. When I have a low day I write down the things I am thankful for in my notebook and it really, really helps. Thank you for being an inspiration. xoxo
I’m thankful for the opportunity to take a bit of a breather to get myself well this weekend. I’ve had lots of down time lately. Big decision need to be made for the continued educational welfare of my middle child, and I’m grateful for the options available to us. Even if they are slim picking at best…
A great list! I know how lovely candles can be to make one peaceful and content as you sit in quietness. I’d be glad to send you some candles if you would agree. Just send me a note with the kind of candles you use or like or I can pick them. I just need to know where to send them (you can message me privately). So glad your mother did agree to take the children out. They need to bond too and it is lovely for them to start. Hugs. xx
Every time I read one of your posts I want to send the three of you {hugs}. I agree with the above commenter that your mum and the little ones need to bond. They will have a different relationship with her than with you, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Hopefully, everyone’s life will be enhanced over time.
Please email me if you get a chance (or let me know via the comments that you will not email me). I wanted to chat privately with you about something that I hope will be helpful.
Hi Baroness
I will email you, thank you! I’ve started going through the slew of emails and hope to have them all finished by Thursday! Thank you again!
I don’t get to drop in as much as I would like lately, but I do think of your little family so often. I just wanted to say hello and send a virtual hug. I’m thankful for family and friends…for a job working with good people…for a dependable car to make the long commute…for a warm bed to rest in.
I am thankful that I have a job I love and when I leave my office to walk to the car park can look over the fields and see the tops of Stonehenge.
Wow, Betty. I’m a tad jealous!!!