Love & Understanding

Sometimes life hands you pomegranates. You get wiser. Sometimes life hands you that icky lemonade. You get stickier. Sometimes life hands you a boatload of people who either enhance your journey in lovely ways or rock the boat off course just for the hell of it. You get an oar and row in your own direction. It happens to all of us. Either way, there's gratitude to be found if you're willing to look. Sometimes the conflicts are indeed blessings in disguise - you just don't know it yet. Sometimes the storm IS the thing you will one day bless while you wait for calmer seas.
Maybe not today, but someday.
So find some patience and hang on.
We all have something to be grateful for one way or another.
I found a few things this week. I hope you did too.
~Mimi Lenox~


The Queen's Meme #35
The Gratitude Meme

1. What are you most grateful for when you first wake up in the morning?

That I am still here on this big blue spinning ball.

2. What are you most grateful for when you go to bed at night?

That I am still here on this big blue spinning ball.
Please understand, I am not trying to be facetious... I have lost too many loved ones and I am always aware of how short life really is.

3. Who is the person who has had the most influence on your life?

There is no one person. Life is ever changing and many people come and go leaving their footprints on your heart. But I can say without a doubt that my greatest teachers are those who have caused me the most pain.

4. Is there someone you'd like to thank for something special they did for you but haven't yet? Take the time to do it in this meme.

I would like to thank the one who told me that I "returned to my life with a shield of wisdom and strength and NOT weakness at all." For that , I am deeply grateful.

...and for another who never wavered in her non-judgmental support.

5. Who was your favorite or least favorite teacher?
If you could talk to them now, what would you say?

My grade 5 teacher was my favorite because she believed in me. I would love to tell her what wonderful influence she had on me as a child.

My grades 8 & 9 English teachers were my least favorite. One said I couldn't write and the other accused me of plagiarism.
I'd tell them both that they were wrong.

6. Do you say grace at mealtime?
"Not always," she said as she hung her head in shame.

7. Name one thing you take for granted everyday.

Just one?

the
sun
moon
and stars...

the wind
in the trees
and the salty
sea breeze

and treasured
memories
of
days
gone
by

8. Have you ever looked back at your life and realized that something you thought was a bad thing was actually a blessing in disguise?

Too many times... but in retrospect I can honestly say that I needed to go through the fire in order to learn some valuable lessons... and they were mine to learn.

9. What are the top five things you are most grateful for in your life?

I'd also like to thank my daughter for the photo above and for placing my words upon it...