Gratitude.....

I try really hard to keep my finger on the pulse of my gratitude daily. It tends to keep me and the big black hole of self pity at a safe distance. Ironically, it's usually the same things that cause me worry and stress that I am most grateful for. Don't get me wrong, there are regrets, big novel sized lists of regrets, and there are the overtired cranky Mama days when I wish the world would go away, just one moment of peace please. This is just the way life rolls, and when I feel a little better (sometimes a little dark chocolate helps ease it), I have the perspective of feeling grateful that I'm on the other side. It can be really annoying sometimes, but I like to be "glass half full" with a realistic side of sarcasm.

With Thanksgiving approaching, they are talking in school a lot about what they are thankful for, so it's been a good chance to include Greta in my practice. She says she's thankful for her family (YES!!), and her freedom, (somehow I think this may have been prompted at school) and I'm sure that the list will grow between now and next Thursday.

Right now I am just so, so grateful for little hands. Sticky at times, and hardly ever where they are supposed to be, they are also such great reminders about how fast things change. Our dining room table is littered with traced and cut out hands in various stages of turkeyhood, and it's hard for me to believe how big Greta's hands have gotten so quickly. When I have Greta's hand in one of mine, and Simon's in the other, I am so thankful for the physical connection that keeps them close and safe, even if they are a little sticky.