DAILY GRATITUDE
I am grateful for every member of my family…every day
for all the friends I’ve made along the way.
for understanding just how far my family extends…
and how my life is so much easier
when I can share my joy and sorrow…
with my family and friends.
May we be blessed to see
when we include our family and friends…
just how far and wide our family extends…
For as we grow and mature
It becomes easier and easier to see:
Anyone who we have loved
and who has loved us…unconditionally
is,
was and
will always be…
a member of your family.
Their first family portrait was soon after little Violet was born…
It was taken in their hospital bed.
There was a mix of emotions on their faces
as they prepare for their life ahead.
It is a beautiful portrait because within the frame you see
the joy that comes with creating a brand new family.
I love how those of us within the family
who couldn’t be there to share…
how, through the magic of the camera,
in that moment…we were there.
But the closer I look at the three of them
I’m not sure how this happens…but I swear….
I begin to see, surrounding them,
people who are not there.
I see my mom and dad, Deborah’s mom and dad
and lots of people I don’t know…
ancestors from both sides of the family
who left us long ago.
There they are…crowded into their hospital room
filling every space…
and every single one of them has a smile on their face.
And as more and more people crowd into that portrait
It’s easy for me to see…
they are there to welcome Violet into our ever growing family.
I love how this happens anytime I see a portrait of our family.
It makes me pause a moment to give thanks…
at how my eyes look at the picture…and my mind fills in the blanks.
I can’t wait for the day Deborah and I
look at this picture with Violet…tell her about the moment it was shot…
and remind her how we’ll always be with her…
even…when we’re not.
I am grateful in my life
How my children taught me how to be a good parent…
How their children taught me how to be a grand parent…
and now I can’t wait
to see how little Violet will teach me how to be great.
May we be blessed to remember as parents…
beginning from their our baby’s very first day
how we need to be patient with each other
because we are all learning every day.
When a child senses danger…or they’re feeling a little unwell…
Why is MOM! so very often the first word that they yell?
When they’ve achieved a goal…when they fall in love
when at something the excel…
Why is MOM! so very often the first word that they yell?
Could it be when they need someone to listen…someone who cares
when they’re happy…or when they’re feeling blue
they call out Mom instinctively…knowing that’s what mommies do.
Knowing they will drop everything and come running
the moment they hear their name…
In fact, mom’s all over the world……come running just the same.
Ready to help…at any moment…any day…and any hour
you might say when it comes to moms…this is their superpower.
It’s one of the reasons we are told…from the time that we are two…
If you sense danger or are in trouble anywhere…look for a mom
There are an army of them out there…and they’ll know exactly what to do.
We were recently blessed with a birth in our family
which means we have a great-granddaughter
and are already under her spell…
but it also means the world was blessed with a new mom as well.
Another mom in an army of moms…whose superpowers are the same…
who come running when we need them…the moment they hear their name.
And in an uncertain world…where with all kinds of problem we are beset…
now more than ever we need all the Moms that we can get.
So MOMS…we’re calling out for help…hoping for your wisdom and your grace…
MOMS…if you can hear us we really need you…to make this world a better place.
In a world that’s filled with hatred, prejudice…wars…bullets, guns and bombs.
who better to turn to in this time of need…than an army filled with MOMS.
I am grateful for understanding the power of love…
How it’s so magically beautiful and sweet…
Like whenever I see a pregnant mother-yet-to-be…
walking down the street.
Knowing by the smile on the face of that mother-yet-to-be
She is already in love with someone she has yet to see.
