Grateful For The Small Things, The Big Things And Everything In Between…
I don’t mince words – let’s face it, 2020 pretty much stinks, stank and stunk. At the end of each day, I pretty much give thanks for making it through another 24 hours and lay my head on the pillow and pray that I can do the same thing tomorrow.
2020 brought not only the COVID pandemic but so many health issues to my loved ones. I’ve watched the world turn upside and the economy went to hell in a handbasket. One after another local businesses in our small town have been forced to close their doors permanently. I’ve learned to despise the words, “Social Distancing”. Hate and violence has been spewed all over the world and a person is afraid to open their mouth because no matter what you say, someone is gonna get offended. Don’t even get me started on the political situation – crap show is how I describe this current mess our Country is in – but I don’t say crap…
My family has and always will be my world – they keep me sane and loved and protected. I spout off – a lot – but I also keep my innermost feelings bottled deep down in my soul. I turned to my birds and the outdoors in the summer for a reality check and some much needed peace and harmony to balance out the negativity. I treasure the time that I spend meandering down wooded trails. It’s brought me so much happiness and soothes my troubled soul
My sojourns in the state parks and gamelands have opened my eyes to things that I overlooked in the past. I now see, hear and appreciate the birds chirping a sweet song and the chattering of chipmunks and squirrels. The beauty of wildflowers brings shivers down my spine. I now also view weeds as alluring and beguiling. I like to get up early in the morning and hit the trails. I am awestruck at the sight of mist rising from the lake as the sun begins its ascent into the sky. Frost on blades of grass captivates me. Mother Nature has dazzled Pennsylvania this Fall with an extravaganza of foliage of epic proportions. I crunch through the leaves that have already cascaded to the ground as I seek out the perfect trees to photograph.
I have made new friends who are filling the void of old friendships that have sadly ended. I am grateful to have a husband who still makes me laugh and lets me put my cold feet against his back in the middle of the night. After months of being told that we can’t hug – embraces from my parents are one of the greatest feelings I have ever known. Dancing in the rain with my grandkids and having picnics in the car because we can’t go into restaurants makes my heart soar, because we are spending time together. Small family gatherings at my daughter and son-in-law’s house that is overflowing with love and noise from four little mischief makers only reinforces how much I love and need my family. Sharing jokes and eyerolls with my son brings levity into the daily grind of work. An evening cuddle on the couch with Jager is relaxing – until he decided to dry hump my pillow (and yes, the boy is neutered).
No one knows what the future hold for any of us. I wish I had a magic wand that I could wave and all of our cares, worries and illnesses would just POOF – disappear. But that only happens in fairy tales and movies. So, while I will continue to have my moments of grumpiness and complaints and ranting, I will also take time each and every day to count my blessings and to be grateful for the small things, the big things and everything in between…