Day #365: Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Today's blessing was following up on a story idea for once - and getting great feedback on it at the writers group meeting!

For awhile now I've toyed with the idea of writing some type of memoir on my experiences as a hydrocephalic child. A few months back I'd shown Don the beginnings of an idea, and while it was a good idea (the way I'd written it totally stumped Don as to what it was about, which I thought was great), I wasn't sure if that was the route I was going to go. As it turns out, I came up with a totally different idea a couple of nights ago, and decided to try and work with that.

Tonight, even though it was only one paragraph (and one sentence) long, I couldn't wait to share this with the writers group. And after I did, I was surprised and pleased with the interest it garnered from everyone! Don and Christine said that I'd started it out in a great way, and Margie admitted that she had wished I'd written more. I always thought I wasn't cut out for writing stories, but after tonight I realize that I have definitely found my voice with this idea!

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And so this entry marks the end of my year-long project. I have to admit that I'm a bit amazed at that, because when I first started writing this blog three hundred and sixty five days seemed like a really, really long time! I couldn't envision this project ending - or how it would end. Looking back at what I've recorded each day I realize that I would have no way of knowing what lay ahead for me, but at the same time I can see just how blessed I really was in this past year.

To those who followed this blog, thanks for sticking with me! I hope that my posts have inspired you to also pay closer attention to all the little blessings in your life.

Day #364: Monday, September 19, 2011

Today's blessing was parting with some more of my belongings for a good cause.

Every time I sort through my things I surprise myself when I realize that I'm willing to part with something that I thought I would keep forever. That happened again today, when I ventured up to the attic to see what I could donate to the upcoming garage sale at the Holland Home. I ended up parting ways with a couple of board games and a few knick-knacks that, instead of saying to myself, "Oh, I want to keep that," I said, "WHY am I keeping this?" Because, honestly, a lot of my personal possessions just don't have that same sentimentality attached to them as they once did. So why keep them? I'd much rather give them to someone else who can appreciate and enjoy them instead of them laying upstairs in a box in the attic being forgotten about.

So I'm happy about being able to give those few things away and not feel like I'm making a horrible mistake. Because I know I'm not. And having a little less clutter in my life is certainly a very nice blessing!

Day #363: Sunday, September 18, 2011

Today's blessing was spending a little time visiting my grandmother.

My mother goes to visit my grandmother pretty regularly every Sunday afternoon.
Now, my grandmother - or Gram, as I call her - isn't your typical grandmother. She's 89 years old but she looks at least ten years younger. She also has been an avid bowler since I was a kid and still goes once a week to this day.

I hadn't gone to visit Gram in awhile because there was always something else already eating up my time. But today I had to go and feed Don and Laura's cats around 4 o'clock anyway and thought I might as well accompany my mother on her usual Sunday visit. So I did. Gram offered drinks and snacks, as she always does, and we just sat together and talked about what was going on in in our lives - or rather she asked us about our lives and we talked while she listened (everyone always tells me what a great listener I am, so I guess I inherited that trait from Gram).

I'm glad I decided to go because visiting Gram was a nice way to spend my afternoon. :)

Day #362: Saturday, September 17, 2011

Today's blessing was hauling my butt out of bed early to get me a kitty fix.

I'm pet sitting my friends' 3 cats, and despite the fact that I'm generally not a morning person, I will get up early for these furballs. I mean, it's really the getting up part that is hard for me, because once I'm up I'm up. And even though the cats aren't overly affectionate to me, they do let me pet them. And talk to them. Plus, the simple fact that Merlin - the shy, introverted, somewhat skittish one - decided to get close to me today (I had treats, but who cares what the reason was) made getting up early totally worth it.

(I can't wait to do it again tomorrow...and Monday...)

Day #361: Friday, September 16, 2011

Today's blessing was being able to experience the Dey Mansion for the very first time. Don, who has gone before, was with me; it was he who called to say he was going there and invited me along. Even though I had things to do today I'd never been to the Mansion before (although I'd heard of the name), and since I'm always up for an adventure with Don I accepted his invitation.

The Dey Mansion was a residential home built in the mid 1700s and used by General George Washington as his headquarters during the Revolutionary War. I'm not into history like Don, but I'm into old fashioned sorts of things and this place definitely fit the bill. From the old smell that permeated the entire building to the creaky antique floorboards, I was hooked.

We didn't get back until after 4:30 this afternoon. But you know what? Even though I didn't end up getting to do those original things I had to do today, this gave me the chance to forget about some of what I've been stressing over right now. Besides, I had fun, just like I always do on Don's adventures. So I'm happy.

Day #360: Thursday, September 15, 2011

Today's blessing was a rainbow.

I'll admit - today has been a pretty lousy day. And for the record, even as I write this (at 10:53 PM), it's been a pretty lousy night, too. Nothing major, it's just all these little annoying things are happening that are getting to me.

But even so, around 7:15 tonight, my father looked out the window and saw a rainbow. So of course I went outside to check it out myself. And there, hanging over our backyard (while a brilliant orange-pink sunset was going on in the front of the house) was a rainbow. It's hard to tell from this photo because by the time I got outside it was pretty faint, but I could still see it. Seeing that rainbow gave me hope, letting me know that despite all of the things that made/would still make today a lousy day/night, I shouldn't let them get to me because God's in control. Seeing that rainbow also reminded me that I need to trust God - not just some of the time, but all of the time. After all, despite my wavering faith, God has always come through for me even when I think my life is at the brink of falling apart for one reason or another.

So seeing this rainbow tonight was a true blessing. It's exactly what I needed tonight!

Day #359: Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Today's blessing was saving a few bucks thanks to the recommendation of a friend.

Recently, the bulb for my driver's side rear turn signal died. My dad said he'd take care of it for me, but I kept putting off having to figure out what bulb I'd need and going to buy said bulb because I knew it wasn't necessarily cheap (as dictated by my meager freelance writing income, but that's another story).

Then my buddy Don said, "Just go to Adnon and have him fix it for you. I had him do it on my car and he only charged me ten bucks."

Adnon is this really cool older guy who pumps gas at a local station that Don fills his car at frequently. I've been with Don several times and he introduced me to Adnon. So I figured, why not? This way, I wouldn't have to buy the bulb and wait for my father to deal with it, plus quite frankly Adnon could probably do it in half the time it would take my dad (no offense). So today I drove over to the gas station. Adnon remembered me right away, and said the mechanic would gladly change the light bulb for me. And sure enough, in less than ten minutes, my turn signal was up and running again.

But what really got me was when I asked the guy what I owed him. "Five bucks," he replied with a shrug. I'd been expecting ten - which was basically all I had in my wallet - so the thought of actually coming out of this with something leftover made me smile. I thanked the mechanic several times, and when Adnon called over to ask if I was set, I gave him a thumbs up and a smile.

I love it when little things like this happen! It's nice to know people are looking out for you.