Some day soon I want to do another Ashead update, where I share "what in the world are the Ashead's doing?", but today something else is on my mind. Gratitude. Thankfulness. Peace. Remembering. Gratitude.
The past several months have been a big struggle for Richard and I - a lot of hard things have been thrown our way. It seems one after another, without the first one or several getting resolved before we have more thrown our way. It has been a challenge and I'm not going to get into the details of the issues that remain at hand and hard, but as I thought about these stresses today, and prayed, God answered me in the way he often does. Gratitude. I am brought to remembrance of the many good things still in life and a need to know that blessings abound, sometimes they are just not the ones I'm looking for- so I might miss them.
So, today's gratitude list.
** Although things have been hard for the parents of the family, the kids do not seem overly affected. They are all functioning well and seem only marginally aware of the concerns. I'm grateful for this, that for the most part it appears, they are not feeling the weight of the world upon them as it seems we are.
** I'm grateful that through the winding path of life and the places I've been and people I've interacted with I've made friendships with people who have been a strength in a variety of ways. Maybe they have expertise or experience with some of the issues we are now dealing with and lend an ear, or insight, support and encouragement. Others are true friends who reach out in support and allow me to ramble and rant at times. Especially grateful for those who get me and my personality and why some of the things we have been dealing would be hard for me.
** There are still lots of great things going on for our family such as
* Whitney will be graduating next month. She is looking forward to her time with FEMA Corps. She just attended prom with a sweet young man and was on prom court.
* Andrew just finished another year of college successfully and is home for the summer and working.
* Jayna is doing well in school,and also just had her 2nd piano recital.
* We have a vacation planned to Boston with plans for whale watching, seeing Newsies and more!
* Richard is enjoying teaching the PA motorcycle safety courses.
** Then there are some of the "big" more universal things to be grateful such as living in a country and area where I don't fear for my family's physical safety regularly, Having a home and food. Libraries where I can get lots of books. A belief in answers to prayers.
Anyhow, that is where I am today. Trying to find peace in the good and being grateful for that.
And so it goes...
Reading Now- "Mozart's Last Aria" by Matt Rees
Recently Read- "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande- highly recommended reading for every adult! We need to have conversations about life, living and dying and what is most important to each other individually.
1 comment:
I like this post, Sue. I also am reminded regularly by our higher power to be grateful for what I have and to think less about what I don't. I loved reading about your family's blessings and seeing how aware you are of them. I'm anxious to hear all about your trip to Boston (I was born there and visited a couple of years ago)
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