29 Days of Gratititude

I've written about the 29 Gifts giving challenge and book, and what an amazing wonderful experience it is.  Today I'm beginning it again, along with 29 days of gratitude.  This seems like a perfect season for a focus on thankfulness.  So each day I will write about my gift to give and my gift of thanksgiving.


Day 1:  Today I woke up so thankful for my children, for everything they have taught me and the way they love me no matter what happens in our lives.  I told my childbirth class on Monday evening, "Don't let the stereotype scare you - teenagers are WONDERFUL."  They may not be cute and cuddly in the same way that newborns are, but they are such good listeners.  And they can make you laugh and teach you so much about being silly and being in the moment.  I am so grateful to be right where I am right now, a mom of two sleeping-in-late, fingernail polish and boy obsessed, sass-talking girls.

My gift for today - letting these two lovely sleep in on their day-before-Thanksgiving day off and trusting them to make the pies for tomorrow's celebration - chocolate pecan and Elvis, all by themselves.  Yum.

I'm also mailing off, with lots of love, a little baby hat for one of my sweet doula mama's second baby.  I wish I could hug her in person.

Here's what the hat looks like:

Only the color is a soft cream, like French vanilla ice cream.  I hope it keeps little Celeste nice and toasty warm.

Top Ten

Top Ten :  Things I've learned from my dad

1. Cussing does make you feel better sometimes.
2. The weather is beside the point.  If there is something to be done outside, just do it.  Wear more clothes if you need to.  What do you think rain slickers are for anyway?  Stop complaining and get to work.
3. Animals can be a whole lot better company than humans sometimes.
4. Sincere gratitude is never a bad idea.
5. Do it right the first time.  Hard work can make you really happy.
6. Stuff doesn't not make you happy.  More tack however can make work a lot more comfortable.  Spending a lot of money on the right thing is not frivolous.
7. Those little Dolly Madison apple pies really are good.
8. You can learn a lot by watching other professionals in your field very carefully.  Probably more by watching than by asking a million questions.
9. Forgiveness and understanding are powerful gifts.
10. Sometimes distance helps you see (and love) someone more clearly and compassionately.

I love you Dad.