Gratitude Friday

1. Generosity and kindness and love, between friends and strangers, enemies even, the way it can transform a moment or a life, how the benefit goes both ways, giving and receiving.

2. Fresh, local food. Strawberries, still in season. Watermelon, season almost done and being savored, devoured. Peaches, a moment of sunshine in my mouth. Tomatoes and cucumbers from our garden, still and so many.

3. The surprise of a humming bird feeding on our Bee Plants, the happy return of the bees after they’d sprayed for mosquitoes the night before and I worried about them all night, the sweet way Eric rinsed off the plants at dawn just in case, the crazy loud commotion of their breakfast later that morning.

4. My new tarot deck. I am learning so much, feeling guided, helped, loved.

5. Morning walk at Reservoir Ridge. We had to make it a short one because as soon as the sun came up it started getting hot, but it was a good reminder that we live in a beautiful place.

Bonus Joy: Sam, what he teaches me about change, what he shows me about the confusion of my anxiety, and the comfort of his companionship.

1. Colorado peaches, finally in season and so tasty.

2. Seeing Sam with a puppy. We met her on our walk yesterday morning, I knew her mom so we stopped and talked. The play bow Sam did to her made me think about how great it’s going to be when we have another dog again.

3. Clarity. No one can tell me what my path is, only I can know, and I am so grateful to see mine clearly, to know when to say “no.”

4. The surprise of a rabbit on our walk one morning. Sam is convinced they are some kind of squirrel (which triggers his prey drive, his need to herd, makes him crazy), and when he sees one, he starts checking the nearby trees. The idea of a rabbit climbing a tree makes me laugh every time.

5. The magic of a heron flying over our house. We’d seen one earlier at the river, but the sight of one flying down the street we live on felt like a blessing.

Bonus Joy: Looking at pictures of Dexter we’d forgot on Eric’s ipod. In this one, he’d been playing in the hose and he’s got on his “quit taking pictures of me” grumpy face. I miss him so much, but am so grateful that I still can see his sweet face.