Monkeying around...

Gratitude for a blessed life...

There are many things in my adult life that are vastly different than my childhood. These differences I am so grateful for. My life as an adult has been more than I ever could have hoped for as a child.

In this life of mine I have learned that the things that I am most grateful for are the small gifts in each day. Things that mostly go overlooked because they are ordinary or small. They are moments that don't stand out as big. They don't call attention to themselves. Moments that just are.

A kiss good-bye from the love of my life as he heads off to work. He gives every day of his life so that I can stay at home with our children. This gift of his to me is the most love and dedication I have ever known.

Waking early in the morning to feed the horses with Braji. Not much to say, just being together to accomplish a task. Walking together.

Hearing "good morning Mama", from little ones as they greet the day.
Sitting with a cup of coffee on the back porch step with Miranda while we look for the birds that are singing all around us.

The sounds of squeals and giggles as the children chase the dog around the yard make me smile. When they fall out with exhaustion and the dog wins I chuckle.

Can I help with dinner Mama? I am grateful that they want to be with me doing something that I value greatly.

When just yesterday my husband told me that he is proud of who I am in my relationship to this family, my entire soul was warmed. Trying hard to be a good wife and mom is the only way I know to thank him for his gift to me (see above).

Being there during my childrens' days to say "good job", "wow", and "I am so proud of you" with each new accomplishment. I know I am fortunate to have this time with them and that it will be gone long before I am ready.

With her sing song voice she says "Mama, these are for you", and again I am the recipient of beautiful flowers. Both on the plant and in hand. Sometimes that "her" is Franki and sometimes it is Miranda. Now and then it is both.

Sweet cards that come from a far away friend, always at a time when I need them most. Heather, your timing is impeccable! How do you always know???

A hug and kiss in passing just because. The many times I hear I love you Mama throughout a single day. I think I might just be the most loved Mama in the world (the kids are pretty convincing).

Not big moments in and of themselves, but rather many small moments that make up my days. Moments that I am ever so grateful for that make my life so amazingly sweet.
There is nothing in the world that could have prepared me to be where I am now in life. Every day is different yet the same as the day before. Never monotonous, never dull.

Although I ponder on it often, it still escapes me how I managed to come so far from my disappointing childhood to this fairytale place I live now.

Well, I actually live several fairy tales at once. Cinderella, The Old Woman in the Shoe, The Pied Piper and many more...he!he!he!

Well this is longer than I thought it would be and life is calling, but there is one more thing that I am grateful for, moreso than for anything else...

To have so much to be grateful for that there will never be enough time or words to express it all! But I can't see any reason not to try.