lucky

It isn't every day that i really recognize how lucky i am. I guess i'm just, as they say here in NM, "a little thick". I see lots that i don't want to have in my life to make me realize how much i already have. Like the country song, some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. Or the things that you don't have that go unrecognized.

Today, it's great weather outside. No 20" of snow to slog through. No torrential downpours. Great, clear weather with a blue cloudless sky. Crisp (40) but not too cold. An opportunity to wear the cute sweaters but not so cold that they'll be all covered up by four layers of coats and parkas.

It's not raining in my kitchen or living room. Those have both happened in the past couple years. Yes, our clothes washer died this past week and we got to go the laundromat. But it didn't flood our home like occurred at Paul and Mary's house when their washer malfunctioned (water everywhere!). We bought a new set of washer/dryer and were able to donate ours (washer could be easily fixed apparently) to the Angels Acts of Kindness through the church, thus blessing another family (and getting a tax write-off and a warm, fuzzy feeling). All good.

My kids get along. Growing up,while it may have occurred, i can't remember ever getting along with my sister. My kids are each others best friends and stick up for each other against all others. I would never have included my sister in my slumber parties with my BFF's. Or saved a cookie from the school Christmas party to take home to my sister. Or spent big bucks (a month's allowance) on Christmas for my sister. Both of my kids are better people than i was then. Shoot. They're better people than i am now. I take no credit for any of this. It's all them.

I don't have to work today. In fact, i don't have to work any day. I have insurance through Joe's job and he makes enough $$ that my working is just extra. The family prefers actually that i work less than i do so that i can do all the nice things around the house to make it homey. Make dinner. Have after-school-snacks ready when everyone arrives. Run all the errands so that weekends are more peaceful and not a couple days of to-do's. Iron shirts and do laundry so that mornings run more smoothly. Drive kids to/from activities and school. All the little extras that make life easier for the rest of the gang. If we were relying on my income, these little things wouldn't get done. And weekends would be two days of housework wedged between five days of working at the hospital. I don't know how people do it. Then again, i guess that's why there are so many fast food restaurants!