Counting Blessings

Today has been one of those days that cause me to take pause and ponder all the blessings in my life. Shortly after awakening this morning, I learned some news about the daughter of a dear friend. On Monday morning, the 10-year-old will be undergoing brain surgery to remove a tumor on her brain that is nearly as large as a softball. How terrifying is that? I can't imagine enduring my baby going through that. My heart and prayers go out to this family, and I thank God for my healthy children.

Then this afternoon I came home to find cars all over the place along my street and wondered what in the world was happening. A bit of online searching revealed that my neighbor across the street passed away a few days ago. Family and friends called on his wife throughout the day and I looked out the window a bit ago to see her lights turned off. My heart aches for her as I think about her going to bed alone, terribly missing her husband of 56 years. Yes, he had a full life, but she is still left behind with tears and memories. I visited her briefly today and she cried as she spoke of their life together. I am so sad for her, and I thank God that my family is intact. Yes, my husband can be extremely frustrating and difficult, but he really is a blessing in my life and I wouldn't trade him for anything, even though it's a good thing nobody asked me to trade him when he was being such a butthead yesterday!! ;-)

We never know when our lives will suddenly change, for the better or the worse. And tomorrow is not a promise, but a gift. I'm going to make a conscious effort to not forget this. Yes, I know I will have days when I toss gratitude out the window, but I hope it won't take me long to remember days like today. And I hope everyone reading this has more blessings than he or she is able to count.