65 Things
A week ago today, I turned 65! I can’t even believe I’m saying that! Where did the time go? Being old enough to get a Medicare card has certainly caused me to reflect on my life!
On the morning of my birthday I decided to start the day off by thinking of 65 things I’m thankful for. Writing a “gratitude list” is so good for the soul! I thought I’d share mine with you. Here it is, in no particular order:
My 95 year old neighbor and friend who lives across the street
My memory and my memories
My drawer full of Hue socks
The vases by our kitchen window that I restock regularly with cheery stems
Branson, Missouri – the little town with a big heart for God, family and country
The gentleman who mows our lawn
My morning walks, and the fact that I CAN walk
Flowers – especially the kind that have little flowers within flowers, like hydrangeas
Muggy summer nights
Silver Dollar City, particularly at Christmastime
The smell of barbecue, and apple crisp, and fresh baked bread
Family reunions – and every family member who gathers. A particular shoutout to my mother-in-law who is such a blessing in my life
Three incredible sisters, two amazing brothers
My mom and dad who are no longer here on earth, but are still with me every single day
The song of the birds in the morning and the fireflies at night
Airplanes and cars that get me where I want to go
Soul-filling sunrises and sunsets
Laughter with good friends and tears with good friends, too
Freedom, and those who paid the price so I can have it
The forest in our cul-de-sac
The deer and squirrels and turkeys that are my neighbors
The gift of music – the ability to write it, to play it, and to listen to it with deep appreciation
The fact that my Father in Heaven is so mindful of me
His daily miracles and tender mercies
The US Postal Service and FedEx and UPS
Being able to drive 5 minutes to the grocery store to buy beautiful fruits and vegetables
The “Family Food” recipe book my mom put together and how she is still with me in the kitchen
Listening to books on Audible and reading them on Kindle and real books that have paper pages
All the people who have written books that have shaped me and entertained me and opened my eyes and heart to new places and ideas
The fragrance from our neighbor’s piney hedge
Good walking shoes and soft socks to put on my feet
Sunglasses and umbrellas
The beauty of the Ozarks in every season
Every single shade of green
My cell phone with all of its wonders
My good husband,Tom, and the family we love so much – Briahna, Brydon, Garon, Merrill, Mina, Ivan, Auggie, Wade, JoLeigh, Goldie, & Daven (and our little dog, Miles)
The Father of the Bride movies, and Singing in the Rain, and Sound of Music, and Mission Impossible
Germany at Christmastime
Art museums and live concerts
The apple fritters and maple bars at Hurts Donuts, pumpkin cake donuts at Krispy Kreme
FaceTime and times with no screen time at all
Front porch chats with good neighbors
Scotch tape, staplers, scissors, and pens that feel good in my hand
The big blue truck that picks up our trash every Monday morning
AC in the summer, heat in the winter, and running water all year round
The American flag and all that I feel when I look at it
All of the amazing, creative people on The Creativity Course who have blessed my life
Credit card miles that allow us to travel to see our family and friends
My piano workstation where I spend so many early morning hours writing music
The grand piano in our living room, and guitars and ukuleles
Dish soap, wash cloths, fluffy towels that aren’t too soft or too rough, and crisp, white hotel sheets
The Rose O’Neill Museum and its secret dining spot
Red curry at Thai Thai, teriyaki steak and veggies at The Japanese Kitchen, and veggie chimichangas at Tequila’s 2
Game nights, and puzzles, special occasions and no occasion at all – pretty much everything that goes on at our kitchen table
Gatherings around the fire, roasting marshmallows for s’mores with melted Hershey’s chocolate bars with almonds
Table Rock Lake
The wonderful friend who takes care of our dog when we travel
Dry roasted peanuts and candy corn
Never running out of ideas and the people who help me get a few of them out into the world
All my fellow songwriting friends
Long, deep breaths
All the people, past and present, who have influenced my life for good – if you’re reading this, that’s YOU
My faith, my church, my spiritual roots, my hope
Jesus – my Healer, my Helper, my Friend through it all
LOVE – just love
I guess I have to stop at 65…but, trust me, there are 65 more…and 65 more after that…and 6500 more after that… One of the gifts that comes with living longer is that you have more hours, days and years to accumulate things to be grateful for!
Gratitude will always make for Happy Birthdays.
With so much love & GRATITUDE for YOU!
