thirty-two gifts

Life is quiet and hushed this morning.  A stark contrast from last night's dry-heaving, florescent lights and water-drip at the hospital.  My girl has been struck again with what they believe is a different strand of the flu virus.  Her tiny stomach proved her strength, and now she sleeps, sprawled out on the couch next to a bowl and water tray.  It's hard to hear your six year old curled up in her leggings and orange, fuzzy Hello Kitty socks, say, it's the worst day of my life.  We rest and breathe and pray that it's downhill from here.

This year, I took the dare--The Joy Dare.  I'm recording three gifts each day, to accumulate one thousand gifts during the year 2013.  It's a lovely challenge that encourages being present and aware of the little things--the little blessings that God has placed before us, in ordinary moments to enjoy.  "Life is not an emergency," says Ann Voskamp, author of "One Thousand Gifts."  And I know better than to live in a constant state of fret.  There is too much goodness and graciousness to let slip by without thankfulness.

more gifts:

43.  Conversations like this:
Ash: Can we go to the park because it's my lucky day?
Me:  Why is it your lucky day?
Ash:  Because I have french fries and everything I wanted.
...oh to be a kid again...
44.  Local family-run farms
45.  Finding words on solitude
46.  The sound of the rain hitting the roof and the skylights
47.  Weekend naps
48.  Going to bed knowing that I'm ready and organized for the next day
49.  Transparency in friendship
50.  Having a truth to hold on to
51.  New workout shoes
52.  Sweating off stress, worry, and busy days
53.  Celebrating the small victories in each day
54.  Hot, hot showers
55.  Soldiers returning home
56.  A father of a soldier telling my brother, "thanks for looking out for my son."  And him responding, "he was looking out for me."
57.  Spontaneous, loving letters from strangers because of this blog
58.  The instinctive twang my boy uses when he sings
59.  A new book for vacation
60.  Palm trees
61.  Reuniting with old friends for a girls trip
62.  Strength improvements at the gym
63.  Running in different cities
64.  Sleeping in till the body says, it's time to rise
65.  The camaraderie within Crossfit
66.  Watching the last sliver of sunset go down with my boy
67.  Moments that humble and grow
68.  Weekends watching movies and napping
69.  Sending birthday wishes
70.  Family hot cocoa sessions
71.  Legs intertwined on the couch
72.  Misting rain--the kind that kisses the skin.
73.  Happy, dimpled smiles
74.  Sleepy, sweet smiles
75.  Our health, which is so easy to take for granted

May you find the gifts in each day--

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