In the fall, I began to take part in something called a Goal Achievement Circle. It's a group of like minded individuals who get together once a month to share goals, share what they have achieved, talk about challenges during the month, and share ideas to keep you on track towards achieving the goals you desire.
During the month of November, we were encouraged to keep a gratitude list of what we were grateful for. We were also encouraged to do random acts of kindness during the holiday season and for me personally, this was something that I couldn't wait to do. Personally, I did things such as paying for a cup of coffee to the next person in line, paying a toll for the person behind me, letting someone go before me in the grocery line, and just offering a smile to perfect strangers. When I did these random acts of kindness, I also made sure to keep it a secret if I possibly could. I made sure that the cashier didn't let the person behind me know that it was me paying for the coffee. To be truthful, paying for the coffee was minimal; watching people smile and share their excitement over a free cup of coffee was worth it's weight in gold.
In December, I had the blessing of witnessing the true reason for the season. At a Business After Hours with the Greater Barrington Chamber of Commerce, we had a Chamber Raffle with the prize being $500.00 worth of oil or $250.00 in cash. A Chamber member won and immediately wanted the prize to go to a local family who was in need. It turns out that a Chamber member's son who has a young family was recently in a car accident. The accident would involve several surgeries, months of rehab, leave him unable to work, and because of this, the family had some financial stress. The oil was donated to this family and it really touched my heart. This man didn't know this family, didn't think twice about it, he just did it. It was something that both professionally and personally, I would love to be able to do without a blink of an eyelash.
As a business owner who frequently receives referrals from many business owners, it is in my nature to try to give back if I possibly can to the ones who continually give. As much as I would love to do this, the reality is that it's just about impossible. Personally, several home and car insurance agents in the area continually give me referrals for health insurance and I pass their names along to people who are looking for the types of insurance they offer. The hard part is that it isn't unusual for me to receive one or two referrals a month from five different agents. It would be quite impossible for me to refer all of them. I can thank them and do so, but never feel that it is enough. I've also thought about telling them all the good that came from their referral, however, I have to follow privacy laws.
With this said, I wanted to try to do something both professionally and personally that would allow me to do random acts of kindness or "paying it forward" while being mindful of the reality of my business. Then I saw this on a Facebook status: Pay It Forward in 2013 - The first five people to comment on this post will receive something from me sometime this year (a card, a baked good, something that makes me think of you). There won't be a warning and it will happen whenever the mood strikes me. What is the catch? You must make the same offer in your Facebook status. Let's keep paying it forward and spread the happy."
I loved the idea and will be posting this on both my personal page and business page (Balanced Care Health and Supplemental Insurance) this week. My goal is to obviously pay it forward and do random acts of kindness on a regular basis, however, it's also to share with you all the good things that people do on a regular basis. It's also my hope to share more business pages, more testimonials for businesses, and just continual good news about all the good that both people and businesses do in their community.
For myself, it gets very depressing to continually see bad news. As someone that works with people each day, I believe that most of us need to read good news more often. I also believe that as a business owner, it gives me great encouragement if someone has taken the time to go out of their way to write a testimonial or share a referral.
I hope that you will join me in my effort of "paying it forward" in 2013 and look forward to reading and sharing all the good news that comes as a result of reading one small post on Facebook. Let's Pay it forward together and share our business, our good news, and all those random acts of kindness.
Balanced Care is in the business of providing peace of mind to businesses, individuals, and seniors with their health and life insurance needs. My hope with this blog is for you to get to know me and the reasons behind why protecting you is so important.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Celebration
I've been wanting to write this blog post for the month of December and could never seem to find the right words. It's difficult to find all the words that go along with heartbreak while at the same time finding words to be grateful. So, let me try .....
It has to do with 2012. It has been a difficult year, but at the same time, it's been a joyful year. The word that keeps coming to mind is celebration and as hard as I have fought writing about celebration, it really is one that fits.
As you know, January of 2012 started off with the loss of my beautiful Mother. No words can possibly desribe how much she is missed. You only have one mother and I was blessed with a very good one; one that wasn't perfect, but one that was perfect to me. When my sisters and I were planning her funeral service, I remember talking with the Pastor who did her service and he made sure to tell us that he wanted to make sure it was something that she would have loved. It was a "celebration" of her, what she meant to us, to her grandchildren, her brothers and sisters, and her friends. As I have grieved deeply this year, it recently came to me that the reason for the pain was because I missed "celebrating" her. I missed having a cup of tea with her, missed our long conversations, missed her getting excited over Dancing With The Stars, and missed our Friday evenings together. I also realized, however, that she is having a cup of tea in heaven, she is having the very best conversations, she is always dancing, and she is continually celebrating while she has Jesus in her presence.
February began another hurdle with John's Father being admitted into the hospital. After several strokes and him getting weaker and weaker, it was becoming more evident that staying at home with his wife caring for him was becoming dangerous for both of them. A few months later, he was admitted into a long term care facility. For the last seven years, we have had the blessing of watching John's mother care for her husband with every ounce of love that she had. When he was admitted into long term care, she would still visit each night. She walked in and his face lit up. After the nurses would put him into his wheelchair, she would walk him down to the dining room, feed him, clean him up, spend several hours with him, and make sure he was comfortable in bed before she left. She had celebrated fifty seven years of marriage with him and was still celebrating their life together no matter what the circumstances were.
Our next celebration occured when Andrew and Christina were married on June 30th in Islesford, Maine. Family and friends gathered and witnessed one of the most beautiful island weddings I have ever seen. I know that I am biased, but really it was. They wrote their own vows to which their wasn't a dry eye in the room. They poured their hearts into the day and it was pure evidence of a love that was deep and respectful of one another. The food was amazing, John and I had some time to ourselves, and our son was happy. It was a reason to celebrate.
Another celebration occured in August when my nephew returned home from Afghanistan unharmed and safe and sound. He returned home to his wife and met his two month old son for the first time. I still thank God.
And the celebrations continued with an engagement, a birth of another grandchild, and the beginning of a new and special relationship with our oldest son, Michael. He met a young woman, Courtney, who has a special little baby girl, Rosslyn. They met when Rosslyn was just six months old. Both of them have become very important to not only Michael's life, but to ours as well. I can't tell you how many times I wished my mother could have met both of them. She would have loved them too. Just as I start to feel sorry for myself, something inside of me always brings to back to reality. God knew what he was doing when he sent these girls into our lives. Just when I feel like I can barely celebrate another minute, I'll see them. Rosslyn has a smile that truly lights up a room. She just started walking and reaching up to you. She also just started blowing kisses. How can I not possibly celebrate her precious life?
November hit us hard with another hospitalization of John's father, Amy and Cody's wedding, and the loss of John's father all within a two week period. Amy and Cody's wedding was on a Saturday and earlier that week, John's father was not able to swallow. We knew the day was getting close to say good-bye, but on the day of her wedding, he ate breakfast. To me, he was telling us to enjoy the day and making sure Amy and Cody had a beautiful day. So they did and so did we.
Three days later, he passed away. John's family put together a beautiful collection of pictures, his siblings (he had seven out of ten that were still alive) came from Canada, and we celebrated his life as he was laid to rest. A sign that his daughter, Claire made read, "It's difficult to forget one who gave us so much to remember." He was an amazing man - He loved God, he loved his wife, he loved his family, and we loved him back. He gave us all a reason to celebrate and always will.
There is a reason that it took me awhile to put all of this into the right words. As 2012 rapidly comes to a close and we look towards 2013, I pray you will take the time to celebrate. Celebrate life, celebrate one another, and celebrate every moment you have here on earth. With 2012 just about behind our family, we still celebrate the joys and heartbreak that the year brought us. For without the heartache, we would never know joy and all the reasons we have to celebrate.
It has to do with 2012. It has been a difficult year, but at the same time, it's been a joyful year. The word that keeps coming to mind is celebration and as hard as I have fought writing about celebration, it really is one that fits.
As you know, January of 2012 started off with the loss of my beautiful Mother. No words can possibly desribe how much she is missed. You only have one mother and I was blessed with a very good one; one that wasn't perfect, but one that was perfect to me. When my sisters and I were planning her funeral service, I remember talking with the Pastor who did her service and he made sure to tell us that he wanted to make sure it was something that she would have loved. It was a "celebration" of her, what she meant to us, to her grandchildren, her brothers and sisters, and her friends. As I have grieved deeply this year, it recently came to me that the reason for the pain was because I missed "celebrating" her. I missed having a cup of tea with her, missed our long conversations, missed her getting excited over Dancing With The Stars, and missed our Friday evenings together. I also realized, however, that she is having a cup of tea in heaven, she is having the very best conversations, she is always dancing, and she is continually celebrating while she has Jesus in her presence.
February began another hurdle with John's Father being admitted into the hospital. After several strokes and him getting weaker and weaker, it was becoming more evident that staying at home with his wife caring for him was becoming dangerous for both of them. A few months later, he was admitted into a long term care facility. For the last seven years, we have had the blessing of watching John's mother care for her husband with every ounce of love that she had. When he was admitted into long term care, she would still visit each night. She walked in and his face lit up. After the nurses would put him into his wheelchair, she would walk him down to the dining room, feed him, clean him up, spend several hours with him, and make sure he was comfortable in bed before she left. She had celebrated fifty seven years of marriage with him and was still celebrating their life together no matter what the circumstances were.
Our next celebration occured when Andrew and Christina were married on June 30th in Islesford, Maine. Family and friends gathered and witnessed one of the most beautiful island weddings I have ever seen. I know that I am biased, but really it was. They wrote their own vows to which their wasn't a dry eye in the room. They poured their hearts into the day and it was pure evidence of a love that was deep and respectful of one another. The food was amazing, John and I had some time to ourselves, and our son was happy. It was a reason to celebrate.
Another celebration occured in August when my nephew returned home from Afghanistan unharmed and safe and sound. He returned home to his wife and met his two month old son for the first time. I still thank God.
And the celebrations continued with an engagement, a birth of another grandchild, and the beginning of a new and special relationship with our oldest son, Michael. He met a young woman, Courtney, who has a special little baby girl, Rosslyn. They met when Rosslyn was just six months old. Both of them have become very important to not only Michael's life, but to ours as well. I can't tell you how many times I wished my mother could have met both of them. She would have loved them too. Just as I start to feel sorry for myself, something inside of me always brings to back to reality. God knew what he was doing when he sent these girls into our lives. Just when I feel like I can barely celebrate another minute, I'll see them. Rosslyn has a smile that truly lights up a room. She just started walking and reaching up to you. She also just started blowing kisses. How can I not possibly celebrate her precious life?
November hit us hard with another hospitalization of John's father, Amy and Cody's wedding, and the loss of John's father all within a two week period. Amy and Cody's wedding was on a Saturday and earlier that week, John's father was not able to swallow. We knew the day was getting close to say good-bye, but on the day of her wedding, he ate breakfast. To me, he was telling us to enjoy the day and making sure Amy and Cody had a beautiful day. So they did and so did we.
Three days later, he passed away. John's family put together a beautiful collection of pictures, his siblings (he had seven out of ten that were still alive) came from Canada, and we celebrated his life as he was laid to rest. A sign that his daughter, Claire made read, "It's difficult to forget one who gave us so much to remember." He was an amazing man - He loved God, he loved his wife, he loved his family, and we loved him back. He gave us all a reason to celebrate and always will.
There is a reason that it took me awhile to put all of this into the right words. As 2012 rapidly comes to a close and we look towards 2013, I pray you will take the time to celebrate. Celebrate life, celebrate one another, and celebrate every moment you have here on earth. With 2012 just about behind our family, we still celebrate the joys and heartbreak that the year brought us. For without the heartache, we would never know joy and all the reasons we have to celebrate.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Their light
After last Friday's terrible tragedy in Connecticut, it has left many people including myself feeling incredibly helpless. My first instinct was to just pray and so that's what I did. It did give me some comfort knowing that others were doing the same and when President Obama actually read from scripture when he addressed the people in the city of Newtown, it was my hope that all of us would receive some peace in the midst of such darkness.
Late Saturday evening, a dear friend of mine shared with me that she had lit a candle and placed it outside to shine into heaven in rememberance of those lost in the tragedy. I looked around my home and had the candle that was given to me when I went to All Souls Day service in our church on November 2nd in rememberance of my sweet Mother. Now, I have to tell you that I have been lighting the candle just about every evening as I made dinner and cleaned the kitchen to have her spirit with me. These candles are suppose to burn approximately twenty four hours.
I lit the candle and placed it on our side stairs, said a prayer, asked God to spread his arms around these people, and then closed my eyes and thought of my Mother holding the children that were lost in her arms. She so loved children.
Twenty four hours later the candle was still brightly shining. This is through wind, snow, and rain. I never had to relight it.
Late last night, the candle went out. Three days and forty eight hours after it was suppose to go out, it went out. And, then I thought, our family has lost three people this year. My Mother, SallyAnn's Mother, and my Father-in-Law. Three people; three days. In the midst of a tragedy when I personally needed some peace and light, God gave it to me yet again.
I couldn't imagine the pain and anguish the families in Connecticut were going through and felt all I could do is offer a few prayers. As I brought the candle in from outside after it went out, I felt "Their light will forever shine in heaven" in my heart. All of them - the three from our family and the twenty six that were lost. In this midst of this terrible darkness, there was light.
Late Saturday evening, a dear friend of mine shared with me that she had lit a candle and placed it outside to shine into heaven in rememberance of those lost in the tragedy. I looked around my home and had the candle that was given to me when I went to All Souls Day service in our church on November 2nd in rememberance of my sweet Mother. Now, I have to tell you that I have been lighting the candle just about every evening as I made dinner and cleaned the kitchen to have her spirit with me. These candles are suppose to burn approximately twenty four hours.
I lit the candle and placed it on our side stairs, said a prayer, asked God to spread his arms around these people, and then closed my eyes and thought of my Mother holding the children that were lost in her arms. She so loved children.
Twenty four hours later the candle was still brightly shining. This is through wind, snow, and rain. I never had to relight it.
Late last night, the candle went out. Three days and forty eight hours after it was suppose to go out, it went out. And, then I thought, our family has lost three people this year. My Mother, SallyAnn's Mother, and my Father-in-Law. Three people; three days. In the midst of a tragedy when I personally needed some peace and light, God gave it to me yet again.
I couldn't imagine the pain and anguish the families in Connecticut were going through and felt all I could do is offer a few prayers. As I brought the candle in from outside after it went out, I felt "Their light will forever shine in heaven" in my heart. All of them - the three from our family and the twenty six that were lost. In this midst of this terrible darkness, there was light.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Christmas in Heaven
2012 has been a hard year with loss. January brought the death of my sweet mother, Joyce Savory. In August, my sister-in-law, SallyAnn lost her mother and last month, we lost my Father-in-Law, Claude Trepanier. My Mother-in-Law found this and I felt it was worthwhile to share. It's called Christmas in Heaven.
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below.
With tiny lights, lke heaven't stars
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular.
Please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can't compare
With the Christmas choir up here.
For I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring.
For it si beyond description
To hear an angel sing.
I know how much you miss me.
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away.
We are really not apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones.
You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory
of my undying love.
For after all "Love" is a gift
More precious than pure gold,
It was always more important
In the stories that Jesus told.
So please love and help each other
As my father said to do.
For I cannot count the blessings
Of the love he has for you.
So please have a Merry Christmas
And wipe away that tear.
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I can't tell you of the splendo
Of the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas
With our Savior, face to face.
I'll ask him to lift your spirit
As I tell him of your love.
So then pray for one another
As your lift your eyes above.
So please let your heart be joyful
And left your spirits sing
For I am spending Christmas in Heaven
And I am walking with the King!!
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below.
With tiny lights, lke heaven't stars
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular.
Please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can't compare
With the Christmas choir up here.
For I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring.
For it si beyond description
To hear an angel sing.
I know how much you miss me.
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away.
We are really not apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones.
You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory
of my undying love.
For after all "Love" is a gift
More precious than pure gold,
It was always more important
In the stories that Jesus told.
So please love and help each other
As my father said to do.
For I cannot count the blessings
Of the love he has for you.
So please have a Merry Christmas
And wipe away that tear.
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I can't tell you of the splendo
Of the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas
With our Savior, face to face.
I'll ask him to lift your spirit
As I tell him of your love.
So then pray for one another
As your lift your eyes above.
So please let your heart be joyful
And left your spirits sing
For I am spending Christmas in Heaven
And I am walking with the King!!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Days 12 - 21
Life has a way of making you realize that you have so much to be grateful for. Here are days twelve through twenty-one.
Day 12 - This is Rosslyn, Courtney's precious little baby girl who we have fallen head over heals in love with and are grateful to have in our lives. Can you see why we love her? She is over the top way too cute!
Day 13 - I couldn't think of a better way to say this:
Day 14 - As I sit here this morning enjoying a cup of coffee with the sun beaming brightly through the window warming our home (And our dog Jazz basking in the sun next to my feet), I am grateful that I have the opportunity to work in my home office. It's a gift I treasure every day.
Day 15 - Grateful today that I have to opportunity to plan for meals each day. As much as we all can complain about coming up with ideas for dinner, we are never hungry and always have food on the table. What's for dinner tonight in your home? For us, tonight is venison tenderloins. Can't wait to prepare it, can't wait to eat it!
Day 16 - I am so grateful for an incredibly busy day and the best part is, it's about to become even busier. I can't wait to share all that is going on right now with the business.
Days 17 - 19 - I am grateful for answered prayers, having my children know what is most important in life, family gathering to support one another, and continual cherished memories. This past week-end, my Father In Law developed an infection and was put into intensive care. He was very sick and we were all extremely concerned. He is out of intensive care and has been doing much better the last couple of days. We never know what direction our life will take. All we can do is rely on each other and share the greatest gifts we have - our prayers and our love. The rest is just a bonus.
Day 20 - I will always be grateful for a beautiful woman that I had the honor of calling Mom. It has been ten months since we lost her and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. With the holidays approaching and our first Thanksgiving and Christmas without her, I am treasuring the past and grateful that we had her as long as we did. Take some time this holiday season to spend with your loved ones. It's worth far more than any gift you can ever put under a tree.
Day 12 - This is Rosslyn, Courtney's precious little baby girl who we have fallen head over heals in love with and are grateful to have in our lives. Can you see why we love her? She is over the top way too cute!
Day 13 - I couldn't think of a better way to say this:
Day 15 - Grateful today that I have to opportunity to plan for meals each day. As much as we all can complain about coming up with ideas for dinner, we are never hungry and always have food on the table. What's for dinner tonight in your home? For us, tonight is venison tenderloins. Can't wait to prepare it, can't wait to eat it!
Day 16 - I am so grateful for an incredibly busy day and the best part is, it's about to become even busier. I can't wait to share all that is going on right now with the business.
Days 17 - 19 - I am grateful for answered prayers, having my children know what is most important in life, family gathering to support one another, and continual cherished memories. This past week-end, my Father In Law developed an infection and was put into intensive care. He was very sick and we were all extremely concerned. He is out of intensive care and has been doing much better the last couple of days. We never know what direction our life will take. All we can do is rely on each other and share the greatest gifts we have - our prayers and our love. The rest is just a bonus.
Day 20 - I will always be grateful for a beautiful woman that I had the honor of calling Mom. It has been ten months since we lost her and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. With the holidays approaching and our first Thanksgiving and Christmas without her, I am treasuring the past and grateful that we had her as long as we did. Take some time this holiday season to spend with your loved ones. It's worth far more than any gift you can ever put under a tree.
My Beautiful Mother, Joyce Savory
Day 21 - I am grateful that I have the priviledge of going to the store today and each week for groceries. The grocery stores will be full today in preparation for tomorrow. Instead of being hurried today, I plan on enjoying the task before me. Seeing all the people makes me realize that many families and friends will get together, share a meal, and enjoy each other's company.
Balanced Care would like to let you know that we are grateful for you and wish you all the blessings of health and happiness on Thanksgiving and always.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Showing gratitude Days 6 - 11
It has been a beautiful journey being more aware of everything that brings me gratitude each day. Here are days 6 - 11:
Day 6 - I am grateful for the freedom to vote. It's a priviledge that has been fought for and even died for. It's a day that less than 5% of the world's population throughout history have been able to do. It's a day that I am proud to live in this country and have the opportunity to have my voice heard.
Day 7 - I am grateful that I woke up this morning and chose not to turn on the television or read any other negative comments about this election. Instead, I have a list of random acts of kindness that I can't wait to do. Who's with me?
Day 8 - Today I am especially grateful for our warm home. Although you may think this means the heat that comes on to warm our home, it also means the love that continues to grow inside our home. We have plenty of dust around, dishes that continually need to be washed each night, and laundry piles, but together we get it done and feel blessed to be able to do so.
Day 9 - I will always be grateful to Cecelia Furente Esposito for giving me the opportunity to not only work in a business that I love, but giving me the opportunity to own a business that I love. Business is hard work and it is never easy, however, when you look into a client's eyes that now understands their coverage, is now protected, and continually hear how they will sleep better, it is all worth it.
Day 6 - I am grateful for the freedom to vote. It's a priviledge that has been fought for and even died for. It's a day that less than 5% of the world's population throughout history have been able to do. It's a day that I am proud to live in this country and have the opportunity to have my voice heard.
Day 7 - I am grateful that I woke up this morning and chose not to turn on the television or read any other negative comments about this election. Instead, I have a list of random acts of kindness that I can't wait to do. Who's with me?
Day 8 - Today I am especially grateful for our warm home. Although you may think this means the heat that comes on to warm our home, it also means the love that continues to grow inside our home. We have plenty of dust around, dishes that continually need to be washed each night, and laundry piles, but together we get it done and feel blessed to be able to do so.
Day 9 - I will always be grateful to Cecelia Furente Esposito for giving me the opportunity to not only work in a business that I love, but giving me the opportunity to own a business that I love. Business is hard work and it is never easy, however, when you look into a client's eyes that now understands their coverage, is now protected, and continually hear how they will sleep better, it is all worth it.
Day 10 - I am grateful for moments; both past and present. Friday evenings were an evening I would spend with my Mother. We would go out to eat, stay in and enjoy a cup of tea together, or just do errands. After her death, Friday nights were and still are the hardest evening for me to face. Last Friday night, I heard a knock on the door. Courtney Gray (Michael's girlfriend) was ...
there with her precious little baby daughter, Rosslyn, all dressed up as a lamb for Halloween. It was a moment that I will forever cherish. Last night, Christina Spurling (Andrew's wife - I love saying that) invited me to where she teaches for a soup and cider night (I had the most amazing soup - pumpkin lobster) and then to her art studio where her work is being featured this week-end. My heart beamed with pride as I watched her direct her students in music and then watched her talk with strangers about her art work. Another moment that I will cherish. Thank you girls - I hope you know how much you are appreciated.
Day 11 - I am grateful today and everyday for not only the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect all of us here at home, but their families that support them. To all of you, Happy Veterans Day. To me, everyday is your day and we are blessed for all you have done and are still doing.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Days 2 - 5
Continuing with expressing gratitude, here are days two through five.
Day 2 - For my second day of gratitude, I am so grateful for my best friend and the love of my life - my husband, John. We were in love the day we were married and today, that love still continues to blossom. Marriage is like a garden - If we sit back and expect it to take care of itself, it will be in ruin. I am grateful that together we have tended to our garden - one another and never let a day go by without watering it.
Day 3 - Today I am grateful for my two sons, Michael and Andrew. I never knew how much love you could possibly hold in your heart until I had these two little boys that have grown into wonderful and loving young men. "A wee bit of heaven drifted down from above, A handful of happiness, and a heart full of love" - Thank you, Michael and Andrew, for the uniqueness you each hold and the blessings you continually bring.
Day 2 - For my second day of gratitude, I am so grateful for my best friend and the love of my life - my husband, John. We were in love the day we were married and today, that love still continues to blossom. Marriage is like a garden - If we sit back and expect it to take care of itself, it will be in ruin. I am grateful that together we have tended to our garden - one another and never let a day go by without watering it.
Day 3 - Today I am grateful for my two sons, Michael and Andrew. I never knew how much love you could possibly hold in your heart until I had these two little boys that have grown into wonderful and loving young men. "A wee bit of heaven drifted down from above, A handful of happiness, and a heart full of love" - Thank you, Michael and Andrew, for the uniqueness you each hold and the blessings you continually bring.
Day 4 - I am so grateful for my sweet daughter in law, Christina. In the beginning of 2009 while Andrew was away at college, he called home letting me know he wanted to share something. I immediately asked, "What's her name? (A Mother knows) He went on to talk for several minutes about Christina and I knew from the sound in his voice, he had found a very special young woman. She came to visit us the next month and right away, I knew she was more than special, I knew that she was the one. Christina, you are not only a blessing to Andrew, but to all of our family and we love you.
Day 5 - I am grateful for this beautiful young woman who has come into our son, Michael's life and captured all of our hearts. Courtney Gray, Michael is smiling from ear to ear since meeting you and we are happy you have put that smile on his face. God bless you, sweetie.
After starting sharing what I am most grateful for, I saw this quote and it seems fitting to share with you. "The more grateful we become, the more we experience grace in our life."
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