Gusher

Ah, my little blog. . . we meet again.

If you knew how excited I get to rest my eyes on the fresh “new post” screen on the blogger page you would laugh and probably tell me to get a life.  I bask in the glow of the blue and white screen and get this comforting feeling that resembles the contentment of home.  I’ve come to love it. . . this little blog, this little space, this community which has born these new kind of I’ve-never-met-you-but-I-call-you-friend friendships.  My little corner of the  Web where I have been able to purge my thoughts, use my voice, and connect with the experiences of others. 

As you may have noticed. . . I’m a gusher. . . (Is that a word?)  You know. . . one who gushes. 

(I looked it up. . . An unrestrained expression of emotion.”)  

Yep, that’s me.

I can’t say for sure, but I think I’ve been this way all my life.  Even if I wanted to change, I think it would be impossible. . . it runs through every fiber of my being. If saying thank you once is good then saying it 20 times must be better. . . Right?  I’m certain that it must get nauseating to those closest to me.  I gush about everything. . . the book I’m reading, my dear friends, the leaves on the trees, the way you bag my groceries, the movie I liked, the funny thing the kids did, a meal I just ate.  I can go on and on. . .

. . . and if a kind act or a gift comes my way. . . watch out. . . you will likely be greeted with a thank you note that competes with the length of War And Peace.  Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration. . . slight.

I can’t help it. . . I’ve tried to write the quick “Thank you for the new waffle iron. Love, Summer”. . . but I don’t have it in me.  I must tell you how much I appreciate you.  This might possibly annoy some people, I just can’t stop.  I truly am that thankful and I want you to know it. . . so I unintentionally gush.

I really don’t want my kids to be gushers.  I do, however, want them to be thankful.  I think thankfulness is important and I’m hoping that they will grasp its importance.  So this morning we spent time making thank you cards for those that helped celebrate their birthdays.  Ten cards for each of them. . .

His serious face

Since Chanelle can’t write, we use a stamp

Two simple words. . . thank you. . . but I truly believe that they mean so much.  It is my hope that if they learn early that they can be thankful for the gifts, then maybe they will learn to develop eyes to see the world through the lens of thankfulness. 

In the meantime, I will continue to unintentionally gush and be thankful for the simple little moments that are happening at every turn.  Moments like we had this morning. . . 

. . . when the wind was blowing in excess of 25 miles and the kids believed if they didn’t hold on tight they might fly away.  And tonight I lay my head down with so many thoughts swirling around, but I choose to be thankful for these tiny little moments that take up such a big place in my heart. . .

And just one more thing. . .

Can I say it again?  To those who have visited here and have made me feel so welcome in this beautiful little community. . . Thank you.  If I said it 100 times. . . it wouldn’t be enough.
 

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

– Margaret Cousins