It hasn't been a great few weeks and while I could sit here and detail all that, it really isn't my style. I try to stay away from downer posts, politics, religion and anything controversial that will come back to haunt me. Tonight I was feeling really low and noticed a new trend on Twitter (or new to me since I can't seem to keep up with all the social media) regarding things you love. I figured I would take this as an opportunity to be grateful for all my blessings and list a few. I got to 50 before the 2nd commercial break on whatever useless TV show I was not watching in the background. So for all it is worth, here is my list.
Things I love
- My eyelashes on rosy little cheeks - butterfly like touches full of love
- Sweatpants and worn t-shirts, no makeup
- Hershey kisses - you can't just eat one
- My sons playing with my hair
- The baby kneading my arm as she drinks, watching her twirl her ear with the other hand
- Crisp cool mornings and barn chores
- Doggy breath
- My pillow top bed and down bedding - and rolling over to go back to sleep. I can't remember the last time that happened!
- A deep kiss that makes your stomach do flip flops
- Dancing to no audible music
- Singing to a familiar tune - loud - and with the music even louder
- Sunglasses and flip-flops, sand between my toes
- Being pregnant, feeling the baby move, the sheer anticipation and wonder of it all
- No cell phone zones - unplugging and getting away from it
- Putting sticky notes in my kids lunches just to say I love and miss them
- Green grass and blue skies, noticing all the amazing color around us
- Deep breaths
- Sunday dinners with family
- A good fall football game in an open air stadium
- Trail rides with friends
- Really good stretches
- Baby toes
- Devouring a good book - even on the Kindle
- Shopping for good music
- Taking pictures and storing away little memories
- Forgiveness and short memories
- Building friendships and sharing secrets
- Roller coasters
- Slot machines
- Going to Mass with the entire family - the entire warmth of God
- Google and Wikipedia - what did we do before the internet???
- Apple martinis - with a cherry (Catholics can drink!)
- Leisurely dining with friends - where the time just flies and you don't want the evening to end
- Travel to far away places with exotic food and different cultures
- Putting my kids to bed
- Saturday mornings - no work, big breakfast, total leisure
- Wildflowers in old fashioned tin containers
- Pink lipstick and silver hair - I miss you Grandma
- Candlelight and bubble bath
- Chalk drawings in the driveway
- Waking up outdoors
- White water and white mountains
- Family game night
- Midnight chats with my sister
- Playing rummy with Mom
- Patience and gratitude, compassion and love for others
- Internet shopping!
- Decorating Easter eggs
- S'Mores and open fires
- Flannel pajamas on Christmas mornings
I could add so many more but just these were enough to make me smile. And I guess that is what it is all about. My day wasn't wasted - I noticed the sun, smelt the air, loved on my children, gave tons of hugs, and I smiled.
I find it both humorous and a testament to my true nature that this resembles so closely the only other time I did
one of these things - 3 years to the day.