I honestly believe myself to be the luckiest, most blessed girl in the universe. Even including those new planets they’ve been finding lately. (Which has really shown me how very little knowledge I posess about a lot of things, but that’s a different story.)
I guess it’s appropriate to reflect this time of year. Never has it been more so to realize exactly how much we have.
And so here I go…
I have the strongest, most faith-filled parents this side of the ocean who I still can’t manage to be apart from for very long and, as a result, I have prayer. I have 6 whole brothers that each amaze me in their own, unique way – every single day. I find myself looking up to every one of them, even one that I literally look down to because I’m a bit taller. (11 year-olds have a thing or two to teach 27 year olds, I tell ya) I have the sweetest sisters-in-law, I have the most beautiful niece…she’s the epitome of what those gap babies look like in the old commercials they used to make. I have a husband who, to this day and every day, treats me like gold and, as a result, I have in-laws with the most genuine hearts. I have a real, living person in my belly with a beating heart and everything. I’m driving my #2 dream car (number one being a red jag, which is also a different story), I have three really great, honest-to-God friends (which is all I need for a lifetime), I get to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day, put gas in my car, by a pack of gum, satisfy really bad fast-food cravings, give the bell ringers all I have on hand, see the snow, hear a heartbeat, smell nut bread, feel hubs’ hands on my feet and taste strawberry starbursts. All blessings from Him who thinks I somehow deserve them.
…and the icing on the cake is this: I get to paint. I get to steal back parts of my soul that my cube has stolen from me over the past 4 years. And I get all this time to really inhale all these amazing graces that I would otherwise not see because of the normal stresses of the day.
Really. Who’s luckier than me? I’d like to see someone prove it. That way I can be thankful for all your blessings too.
05/12/2008 at 4:09 pm Permalink
I am feeling pretty lucky myself. My kids are loving people. They have married loving people. These are blessings that are priceless. Thank you for taking the time to notice all of God’s blessings.
12/12/2008 at 4:00 pm Permalink
Wow Jesse! You never cease to amaze me. Thank you for continuing to teach me how easy it is to be grateful. You have helped me change my entire outlook on life. You and I have always had a strong faith life, but by your own example and the wonderful book you have given me I too feel blessed and am able to express it through my own actions and attitude. Thank you!
Much love,
Abs
15/12/2008 at 11:20 pm Permalink
I’m so happy that you get to paint! and write! we are so blessed by your paintings and your musings. hope your brothers are reading them!