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Gratefulness
A deep love of the natural world which I experience in this moment as I look out my upstairs bedroom window into the green embrace of a massive Norway spruce dancing in the wind.
I am touched unexpectedly by you all here, who co-create this space. There is not a day that goes by that I am not moved to tears or a smile, laughter, or some sense of growing understanding by what is offered at this site — by an image, quote, essay, or comment. Thank you Gratefulness Team and all who share here.
Playfulness abounds when I say yes to the invitations of my dog’s seven-year old, puppy heart. His desire to play is a bottomless well. The backyard is scattered with found objects that have caught his fancy. He has an especial knack for finding abandoned balls, an amazing assortment — from tennis balls in various states of chewiness and peeled-ness, to hard shiny plastic balls, to a deflated folded-over kickball we call the green burrito, to his latest treasure a ratty old bas...
Playfulness abounds when I say yes to the invitations of my dog’s seven-year old, puppy heart. His desire to play is a bottomless well. The backyard is scattered with found objects that have caught his fancy. He has an especial knack for finding abandoned balls, an amazing assortment — from tennis balls in various states of chewiness and peeled-ness, to hard shiny plastic balls, to a deflated folded-over kickball we call the green burrito, to his latest treasure a ratty old basketball he found in an eddy of the creek and carried home at great effort in his jaws. He loves them all. Not to mention dented frisbees, plastic bones and a prodigious stick collection. His favorite games are chase, fetch, keep-away, tug-of-war, splash… Sometimes he runs two or three full-speed circles around the outside of the house just for the sheer joy of it. I am so grateful for his extraordinarily playful companionship in my life.
Adventure awaits when I examine something closely in nature and I begin to follow the trail of questions that arise. Life yesterday, when I came across a colony of odd plants growing out of a rock and later learned it is called walking fern. I am grateful for a curious mind.
Javier, my heart hurts for the child in you who stopped drawing. As Deb said, I hope you are finding ways to cultivate your creativity today. It is something I have let fall away and must return to. Thank you for your reflection.
Thank you, Jessie. I am not his caregiver, so I do not face the challenges you do. I hope this new day is going well for you and your gma.
Hi Jessie, it sounds like you have experienced a great deal of loss in recent months. I am so sorry. I understand the heartbreak of slowly losing a loved one to dementia as my father is entering the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Blessings to you and your gma.
Thank you, Patjos!
That is a beautiful dream, Manda, and I cheer you on! That way you could create the kind of loving, caring work environment you so desire for yourself and others. I am sorry you feel unvalued at your job now. It is impossible for me to imagine who would not value your bright spirit.
What a beautiful reflection, Aine! I imagine the light dancing on the water, even on this cloudy day, was enchanting. To me, there is something so energizing and peaceful about open water. I am glad you can visit there often.
Yes, it has been quite rainy and was unusually warm here last week — I even saw a bat fluttering in the moonlight one night! So spring peepers have been calling and salamanders moving. Last evening at dusk I was out listening for woodcocks (none heard). And nothing blooming in the hollow yet. But tender green tips are poking up everywhere, including first sprigs of catnip on the south side of the house. So I picked some for my roly-poly kitty who was quite pleased. Last night we h...
Yes, it has been quite rainy and was unusually warm here last week — I even saw a bat fluttering in the moonlight one night! So spring peepers have been calling and salamanders moving. Last evening at dusk I was out listening for woodcocks (none heard). And nothing blooming in the hollow yet. But tender green tips are poking up everywhere, including first sprigs of catnip on the south side of the house. So I picked some for my roly-poly kitty who was quite pleased. Last night we had a turn toward more normal freezing temperatures. But spring is on its way here and moving north towards you 🙂
Hello Therese, I am with you in this and grateful for your reflection here.
Good morning, dear Aine. It is so good to see you are back and sounding well, peaceful surrounded by snoozing pets. Loving wishes to you.
Dear Ose, thank you for your beautiful reflection on the gifts of breakfast. It is my favorite meal of the day and I join you in wishing that all people on earth could have the nourishment they need. I am also remembering with a smile your previous post about feeding the doves on your way to work. Such lovely birds. Here, they have begun their springtime coo-ing in preparation for nesting season. I am wishing you warmth in all your relations this day.
Also dear Anna, I was reminded of an inspiring blog article that I read several months ago here on the gratefulness site — A Special Guide, by Annette Fernandez. Wherever she travels, she tries to find a local guide who is doing good in their community and then to spend one day of her vacation volunteering in some way to benefit the people she has met along the way. When I read it, I thought to myself, when I have the opportunity to travel again, I hope to find a way to do the same.
Dear Anna, I have no answers. I just want to say that I share your confusion and anguish over these situations such as you write of.
Mornin’ my friend. Thank you for your poem. It brings to my mind the intense beauty of the wide open spaces out West. Something tells me you too might be a fan of cowboy poet, Baxter Black?
Hello Sham, your post has me thinking of good, honest conversation happening around a table where food is shared. I say yes to this. To knowing more and more who I am. Also to deep listening and staying open to growth. Thanks.
Thank you, Ed, for the link and transcript!
Yes, I am with you, Ose, finding it amazing the gifts of food and drink from around the world, and India is special to me too. Today, I am so grateful for the healing properties of turmeric.
Dear Manda, you had me giggling too at your thought of Jackbear as a mini-ox! So endearing. And now whenever you write of him, I see in my mind that beautifully wild and intelligent gaze, that heart-melting furry face — his photo you posted the other day! I know you take such good care of him. And he, you. What a gift are the dogs in our lives. And so special to accompany them as they age. I can really relate to what you write, the anxious dialogue in the mind and body that happe...
Dear Manda, you had me giggling too at your thought of Jackbear as a mini-ox! So endearing. And now whenever you write of him, I see in my mind that beautifully wild and intelligent gaze, that heart-melting furry face — his photo you posted the other day! I know you take such good care of him. And he, you. What a gift are the dogs in our lives. And so special to accompany them as they age. I can really relate to what you write, the anxious dialogue in the mind and body that happens sometimes when with our trusty companions we come into presence of unfamiliar dogs. Yes, I understand. Big big bear hugs to you both.
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