A Book Thing

Gratitude Journal – 17 Sept 09

1. I’d like to begin by giving my gratitude to my mother. You did more for me today that I had even considered asking and I truly appreciate that. Thank you for offering to sew the blankets together but thank you even more for doing the dishes I’d left in the sink when I went out tonight. It might not seem like a great deal but I truly appreciate this small thing above many big things you might have done and even more so in that you did it without my prompting or asking. Thank you also for all you do when I ask. Your love and support mean more to me than you could ever imagine.
2. My sister, I thank you for committing to Swing Dancing and for inviting me to join you. I’ve said before that it is not something I would have chosen to do for myself and it is definitely no something I’d ever do by myself. But, although I face conflict most weeks about going I am always thankful when I do. The energy, enthusiasm and social stimulus more than makes up for the drive (in fine weather). I also appreciate the time we have together on these evenings, it’s companionable and I recognize your own enjoyment and love being around that energy.
3. I’d like to offer thanks to my baby boys teachers. I understand he fell asleep in class today and that you allowed (while class activities permitted) him to stay asleep. I don’t understand what might be causing his unusual lethargy but I am deeply thankful that you chose to accommodate him in this way. I give great gratitude to your instinctive choice to simply let him sleep rather than raising concerns or even calling me. Yes, I could have taken him home as unwell but we all know that he has missed a great deal of class due to illness and angst this year, he begins each day at a disadvantage due to his learning difficulties, and since there is no obvious illness there is no real reason to do more thank monitor him carefully for signs of change. I appreciate your consideration to these matters and your choices on this occasion.
4. I am thankful for my beautiful daughter, she is wise, caring, gentle, and intelligent. I love that she takes care of her little brother. The image of your arm wrapped carefully around his shoulders is one I always cherish and never tire of. I can’t recall a big sister who has ever been so dedicated to the safety and happiness of her little brother and I truly appreciate having you as my special little girl.
5. Thank you to the people at the Swing Dance Academy for putting together fantastic lessons each and ever week. Our classes are growing in number and I know it is in part because more Perthites are learning about how wonderful you are as teachers and how much fun you make swing dancing. I appreciate the time and effort you put into making each class special, challenging, and enjoyable.
6. Thank you to the universe for green lights. I felt like I had more than normal balance of green lights today and given my mindset while driving I truly appreciate this abundance. I also give thanks for long pauses, and for the message that reminded me that it’s ok to be unusually cautious on the road, “There is no place I could choose to be that is worth my life to get there.”
7. I am grateful for the raggedness of baby boy’s school bag. It’s showing age and wear reminded me that the Royal Show is coming up soon. How are the two connected most might wonder? Well, each year we usually choose at showbag each that is more than plastic and sweets, we choose one that comes with a new backpack amongst the other goodies. In this way the kids tend to have a new school bag each year and as baby boy’s is current bag is getting worn it comes as good news that the Royal Show is just nine days away.
8. I’d like to give my thanks to all those who served me in some way today. From the people inside Chicken Treat where I ordered take away dinner for the family to those who work in ways I cannot see but touch my life without my knowing.
9. I truly appreciate this opportunity to give thanks. I’m stretched thin on my gratitude tonight and struggling to find ten things for which I can be truly grateful but in seeking harder I know there are things that might not seem significant for which I am thankful, and this opportunity to give thanks is definitely one. That I can read and write, that I can type, that I have access to the internet, that I have friends who will support me, that I have this place to come, and in so many other ways for all that make this possible. Thank you!
10. Finally, thank you for wind, and earth, and water, and fire. The combination creates the abundant world around me. This world is rich with opportunity and growth. I truly appreciate all that is given freely by the universe to all those who live within its bounds and beyond. I appreciate my physical existence and give gratitude for all the elements that aid and encourage that existence to shape and mold into its fullest potential.