Getting Some Perspective

Over the last couple of years my Dad has added a new mantra to his lectures er, I mean encouragements to us.  Well, maybe he has said it all my life, but it took on a new meaning after we lost my Mom.  The words that I have heard so often in recent years go something like. . .  you think you’ve got problems?  or maybe it was more like. . .  we have nothing to complain about or maybe it’s. . .  we don’t have problems. 

Whatever the exact words are (Dad, I really do listen) his point is loud and clear.  The message he is always trying to make is this one. . . Summer, we have much to be thankful for. . . count your blessings.
Oh, I know how important this is.  I really do.  But I’d be lying if I said I never get lost in my own thoughts and find myself drowning in problems that really aren’t problems and struggles that are not struggles, but simply a part of life. 

I’ve been there this week.  Stuck in the (sometimes) diseased thoughts of my own mind.  Thoughts that have no validity to them but seem so rational when all you hear is the echo of your own irrational thoughts.  When I find myself traveling down this rabbit trail, I know something has to happen.  That’s when my Dad’s words come in. . . we have much to be thankful for. . .
It’s true, I have much to be thankful for.  Things like. . .

1.  PJ Days

We recently had a cloudy, dreary, rainy day.  The kind of day that calls for cozy blankets, coffee and hot chocolate, board games and PJ’s all day. . .

We don’t do this very often and I’m thinking we must change that.  We baked in the Easy Bake oven, had stuffed animal races, and listened to the sound of raindrops hitting the window. 

Perfection.

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2.  First Steps

Her feet hit the ground outside for the first time. . .

She walked beside me down our driveway and up the sidewalk in front of our house.  I walked tall with pride as her tiny hand gripped tightly around my finger as we matched a snails pace, I’m sure.  Even the mail man stopped his white mail truck to wave hello and smile at her.

Yep.  That’s my girl.

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3.  Spring

Well, it wasn’t really spring, but it felt like it.  The sun came out, layers were shed, and smiles of a different kind were plastered on our faces.

We laughed, we clapped, we celebrated it. . .

. . . in the dip in Miss Nancy’s driveway. 

Yep.  That’s what we do.  If it rains, if it’s wet. . . we entertain ourselves in her driveway.

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4.  Hair

She’s ready for a perm don’t you think? 

So ready.

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5.  Teeth

. . . or lack thereof. . .

I’m thinking of having his adult teeth pulled because I adore his toothless grin.  I’m sure he’d be fine with that. 

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6.  Dirt

. . . It comes out

I wouldn’t trade these memories for the world.

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7.  Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba

Whenever someone leaves our house she makes sure they get a proper good-bye. . .

From the moment our visitors grab the door until their vehicle is out of sight she makes sure they hear it. . .

. . . ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

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8.  Big Sister

This girl. . .

. . . is an incredible big sister. 

So often I sit back and observe.  I watch the way she so gently plays with Meadow.  I watch the way she talks to her and teaches her how to play a game, hold a baby, push a toy, brush her hair and I wonder. . . who taught her how to do that?

She is a natural. 

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9.  Quiet Moments

These are my favorite moments.  Just as she begins to stir as if debating whether or not she should wake up or steal a few more minutes of sleep. 

I very gently take her from her crib and take a seat in the rocking chair.  The two of us sit in quiet and rock back and forth in the darkness of her room.  There is nothing else to it. 

So simple, but so perfect.

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This always helps.  This counting my blessings thing.  It was so easy and really, I didn’t have to look very far to see it.

I’m going to bed with a happier heart tonight.  Thankfulness. . . it really is a discipline, isn’t it? 

Wishing you a Happy Weekend!