I was driving down the freeway today, in my comfortable car, big enough to fit all my kids and their friends, new enough to have very few things ever go wrong with it or need to be replaced, cute enough that I actually picked it out myself and got to choose the color and everything, and I realized, I AM LUCKY. Not because of my car. But because of my life.
I live comfortably. That's what made me start on this line of thinking. I have a beautiful house. Yes, having a house from two centuries ago has its down sides. But it's big enough for our family. It hasn't had any major issues. We have a nice green yard with big, shady trees. We have a walk-in closet (a rarity in old houses). We have plenty to eat and wear and do.
Then I took stock of the rest of my life. I have two gorgeous, intelligent, mostly obedient, happy, healthy children. That is a gift.
I have an absolutely fantastic husband who works so hard to support us, who is the first to volunteer to do anything the kids need, who helps around the house, who can fix anything, who makes me laugh all the time, and who makes it a priority to make me happy.
I have my health. My biggest health problems right now are allergies and a little back pain. Compared to some people I know who have dealt with cancer, fibromyalgia, depression, diabetes, Crohne's Disease, and other major health issues, I have been blessed.
I live in a free country where I am generally safe and far from danger. I have access to the best health care. I am educated. My kids are becoming educated. I have a strong belief in God and I am allowed to express it as I choose. The street by my house is paved. The roof over my head doesn't leak. The shower water is hot. The water that comes out of my tap is cold and clean. The toilet flushes. Someone picks up the garbage every week when I put it on the curb. The town where I live has 226 sunny days a year. I am eating a cheesecake brownie.
LIFE IS GOOD!
And I am grateful.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
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15 comments:
awesome, sometimes we just have to remind ourselves how lucky we are to have what we have because it is far too easy to focus on what we don't have. Thanks for the reminder!
I am right there with you. Sometimes, I think that things can't go this well, and when will it all fall apart. I might have a little bit of catastrophic thinking. Boo.
What a wonderful, uplifting blog! Gratitude blesses the thankful and the onlooker as much as the thanked, and I was glad to agree with everything you said (except about the great husband, of which I have none, and the kids, of which I have three equally excellent ones. Especially YOU!)
Great post, and well said Arianne!
Thanks for the great reminder!
I needed this today. Right now my only problem is that I'm retaining water and have a horrible pain in my neck, but really everything is wonderful. I just need to remember that.
Amen sistah! I could not agree with you more.
I have days like that every once in a while. Where I realize that I am so blessed. That we are all healthy. We we have a roof over our heads. That we have food to eat. And it amazes me that we, of all people have been so blessed.
Great post. It's always good when we can stop and see just how blessed we are. I'm glad you had one of those moments. :)
Amen and amen. Plus, you're not bad to look at.
I love those moments. Good for you for recording it.
Amen.
And you have a fantastic sister.
I like this post. I don't have health issues, or a car, or a nice house... but I have nieces and nephews and my dog. Sure 2 of my nieces have CF and will most likely not live beyond their thirties, but I know they'll be my nieces forever. That is the greatest blessing. Forever families. Everything else is temporary. But that is forever. (And I believe we get our pets back too.)
i like this... we all get so upset at the little stupid things in life, like, i don't have those new shoes, or, i need a new car, or, my backyard isn't cute enough. but, those are such petty problems, and we take so much for granted. we all need to sit and think about how good we really have it. you really do have a good life. two adorable kids, a husband that provides, and a comfortable life. that's good stuff.
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