twitsandblobs

When I am feeling way down-which doesn’t happen often, but when it does it is a bummer- I force myself to make a gratitude list.  The list is not just a recitation of material things that I have, for that is nothing more than a mindless inventory.  I try to think creatively of little things, little pleasures, little relationships, insignificant experiences that shape my days and make even a few seconds happier.  I drum up the things that appear out of nowhere unexpectedly and delightfully.  Not to go all Julie Andrews on you but really, a little list like this does serve a boo-hoo pretty well.  So here goes.  Today’s things I love to be grateful for, and am grateful to love.

1.  I love the way my fingernails and toenails feel right after I have trimmed and filed them.  The best treat is to do this right after a nice bath, then climb into bed and rub them under  the sheets.  Ahhhh.
2. I love the smell of freshly cut grass.  So many people either live in a place with no grass or they have no means by which to cut the grass.  This little springtime pleasure is a treat to my senses and would be an extravagance to someone not so fortunate.
3. I get a real charge out of making the first crack in a serving of Crème Brulee.  My husband and I negotiate over who gets to do the honor. Like ice on a pond, a nice crisp, light cccrrrraack!
4. I am grateful that any time I want it, day or night, fresh clean water is at my fingertips.  All I have to do is turn on the tap and voila!  No long walks to a stream or pond, no toxicity, no fear of critters.  Just clean, safe, convenient water.  What an unsung  luxury.
5. I am grateful for real honestoGod SPF sunscreen.  When I was a child, no such thing existed and my fair skin paid for it summer after summer.  Ouch! We did have hats…and some lotion called “Shade,” but nothing like my good old #70.
6. I am grateful that I live in a neighborhood where children still play outside after school.  The street is safe and these particular children are being raised by adults who encourage cartwheels, lemonade stands and jump ropes over video games and ipads.  The giggle sounds of these youngsters playing fills the hood and it sounds like music to me.  I love my neighbors.
7. I am grateful that, for the most part, all my body parts till work.  Arms, legs, eyes, ears, fingers, toes, etc. etc.  Yes, things have moved around and fallen a bit.  Sags here, wrinkles there, extra lumps and bumps all over, but whenever I get fixated on that, I turn my focus to the fact that everything still serves me well.  If I want to walk to town, I just do it.  If I want to pick up a Frisbee and throw it, I simply follow my desire. Not everyone is so lucky.
8. I love the way my little friend Freweini laughs.  She is a small child but she laughs like a truck driver.  The sound is deep, long and it flutters.  I also like the way she pronounces my name.  Dohhhhnagey.  It almost sounds like Donut Gay.  I love it and I love her.
9. I am grateful that I no longer concern myself with what others think or say about me. Good or bad, their words and thoughts are none of my beeswax so I should keep my nose out of them.
10. I am grateful that I no longer feel the need to look great all the time.  Nature and age have taken their toll as well they should.  I can be proud of the wrinkles that I earned.  And here is a news flash for you. No one is really looking at me at this point in my life.  At a certain age, the pressure to dazzle should be lifted and, praise be, in my world it has been.  The way i see it, as long as I am really clean and really nice to people, I shouldn’t worry about how my figure looks in my jeans.

So, that is my list for this week.   If I start to feel a little whah-whah, I will refer to it.  And maybe tomorrow, even if I am feeling great, I will make a new one.