Thursday, August 6, 2009

Lucky

This will be a long entry; be patient with me please. I suppose I owe you a long post after my lazy July blogging.

Recently, I have seen a few "gratitude lists" popping up on blogs and Facebook, lists of fifty things to be grateful for. I was reading through one such list the other night. I was thinking of my own long list of things to be grateful for. As I was thinking, Jane Kenyon's "Otherwise" came to mind. What a beautiful reminder that each day is a small miracle, one not be taken for granted.



Otherwise

Jane Kenyon

I got out of bed
on two strong legs.
It might have been
otherwise. I ate
cereal, sweet
milk, ripe, flawless
peach. It might
have been otherwise.
I took the dog uphill
to the birch wood.
All morning I did
the work I love.

At noon I lay down
with my mate. It might
have been otherwise.
We ate dinner together

at a table with silver
candlesticks. It might
have been otherwise.
I slept in a bed
in a room with paintings
on the walls, and
planned another day
just like this day.
But one day, I know,
it will be otherwise.

I awoke this morning young, healthy, and happy. It might have been otherwise. Truly, I am blessed. So in addition to Kenyon's simple expression of gratitude, I include my own gratitude list. Fifty? Here it goes.

I am grateful for:
  1. Sunflowers that grow by the August roadside
  2. Wheels on luggage
  3. A family that will be with me for all of eternity
  4. My Savior and my faith in Him
  5. Digital cameras and the memories they preserve
  6. Sunrises
  7. Sunsets
  8. Being young at this time and in the place
  9. The kindness of strangers
  10. The people I've met this summer
  11. The easy accessibility of poetry
  12. The opportunity for higher education
  13. Serendipitous moments
  14. The quirks and flaws of those I love
  15. My dearly beloved and carefully selected collection of books
  16. Being a sister and sister-in-law
  17. Mascara
  18. The miracle of cell phones
  19. Brown sugar and fig scented lotion
  20. Being an American
  21. The seemingly endless choices of words
  22. Music and how easy it is to share it.
  23. The chance that I have to try a new adventure this fall
  24. Laughter
  25. Surprises
  26. Dried roses and the memories they hold
  27. Time to do what I'd like with my life
  28. My religion
  29. A blow dryer and spell-check to tell me that it is two words, and not one
  30. Modern transportation; from mini-vans to jet planes
  31. The internet and the conveniences it brings
  32. Google
  33. Hope
  34. The great unknown
  35. High heels
  36. Air conditioning
  37. Chapstick
  38. Those who I have been lucky enough to call a friend at one point or another in my life
  39. Not-socks, no show socks, whatever they are called
  40. Snail mail
  41. Hairspray
  42. My health
  43. The talents God has given me
  44. Summer thunderstorms
  45. Extended family reunions
  46. Babies
  47. The faithful readers of this little blog
  48. Being me
  49. The past that has shaped the present
  50. Tomorrows
Photography by: Valerie Owens

1 comment:

Marilyn said...

You are a positive influence in my life and a great example. I will follow your blog faithfully so do keep it up! Love Mom