Gratitude365

It’s a wonder we’re spending the winter where we are, given we had originally planned to be two states over. But certain circumstances prompted a change in plan and, rather than start from scratch trying to find another RV park to stay at for that long of a time, I began by calling the park I knew some friends were going to be staying at. They not only had availability; they could put us right next door to our friends.

These friends were our neighbors the first year we wintered in Texas, so we’ve know them since 2017, and they are some of our favorite people. Our relationship was tested during the 2020 presidential race, and again during the covid plandemic. I’m grateful the four of us have remained friends and have been able to coexist peacefully in spite of our differences, not just being next door neighbors, but going out to dinner together often.🙏🏽

Imagine my surprise when our neighbor wandered over yesterday, sat down on one of our lawn chairs, and asked quite honestly, “Why do you like Trump?” I held my breath. Not only do I never know what my husband’s going to say, lately he’s been kidding our neighbor about all of Biden’s confidential documents being found in the most unlikely of places.

“Well, he’s been the only president in my lifetime to actually care about the people and do what he said he’d do,” my husband replied. I was both relieved and pleased. Our friend did not dispute. And later on, the three of us went for an hour-long bike ride along the beach.

I’m grateful our friend is waking up.🙏🏽

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. ~Romans 8:25

In a very under-reported case, a 40-year-old Red Cross nurse from Germany was recently given 6-months probation for injecting more than 8,500 elderly patients with saline solution instead of covid shots in 2021. Ultimately risking her job, no doubt her decision was agonizing—but she did what she felt was right. I applaud her.

Everyone who was injected with the harmless saline solution was notified and had to make arrangements to get the real jab, if that’s what they wanted. A mere inconvenience, all things considered. Especially with the horrors of vaccine injuries and sudden deaths being revealed day by day.

The bottom line is that this nurse did no harm. Can Pfeizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and AztraZeneca make the same claim with 100% certainty?

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. ~Proverbs 4:25-27

Fox News was my source of news until the stolen presidential election in November 2020, which was about the same time I deleted my Facebook account. Every day I’m grateful for doing both.🙏🏽 I’ve learned a lot of what I consider to be truth since then by doing my own research, going down rabbit holes and connecting the dots. In the end, it always has something to do with money.

Just for grins this morning, I checked out the headlines on Foxnews.com, something I hadn’t done for months. Before I scrolled to the end, I came across three headlines about football, nearly one right after the other: 1) The recently fired coach of the Arizona Cardinals headed to Thailand recently on a one-way ticket 🙄, 2) some NFL executives are accusing refs of missing crucial calls, and 3) the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a stunning wildcard round playoff game win, coming back from a 27-point deficit. I yawned. Ever since their players started taking a knee and dissing America, I stopped caring.

Another headline caught my attention, that of two high school students in Las Vegas dying within two days of each other earlier this month due to cardiac arrest. That comes on the heels of numerous reports of young athletes the world over suddenly collapsing, photographed while grasping their chests. Seems like mainstream media can’t hide the grim facts any longer: the vaccines were not as safe and effective as We the People had been told. In fact, it was just announced that the CDC and FDA are now investigating Pfeizer’s C19 vaccines in relation to these unexplained deaths of young people.

It seems like there has been a shift of some sort, and bits of truth are being disseminated. If so, thank God!🙏🏽

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. ~Luke 12:2

Yesterday, like a million other people, we got in on the Mega Millions lottery game hype and bought a couple of tickets for the $1 billion jackpot. I don’t even know why; there was virtually no chance of winning. As it turned out, there was only one winning ticket and, assuming the winner took one lump sum instead of annual payouts, the take was roughly $707 million. I could imagine a pile of one million dollars, possibly two. But seven hundred and seven piles??? It’s mind boggling.

We didn’t win, of course, which is why I’m able to write instead of having to be on the phone to a tax attorney. And I’m grateful!🙏🏽 I imagine the winner’s life will never be the same, and I would even venture to guess that it won’t be happy, based on what I’ve read about such people. More often than not, they end up broke and lonely, and sometimes those closest to them don’t fare much better. As I write this, I’m beginning to wonder why I even wasted my money on those tickets!

Now that I think about it, there were a few very well off people in my extended family who never seemed satisfied with what they had, no matter what. In fact, two ended up in prison over something having to do with money. Another one’s step-children clung to him like leeches. None seemed truly happy.

I’m grateful for the reminder of just how blessed I actually am, as well as for remembering that money can’t buy love, or happiness, or good health, or a good sense of humor or a thousand other things. I’m not just grateful for what I have, I’m satisfied. Having enough is plenty.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~Hebrews 13:5

I’m very grateful to spend the winter somewhere that’s warm, especially since we live in a motorhome.🙏🏽 Although it’s possible and we have RV friends back in Branson doing it, living in an RV is not fun when it’s really cold. Call me spoiled, but I love the creature comforts of warmth, running hot water and electricity.

Being somewhere warm means that we can open up and let in the fresh air, and I love that. We weren’t able to do this where we spent the past five winters, up in the Hill Country, because of all the cedar trees and my husband’s allergy to them—“cedar fever,” as it’s called—is awful. But now that’s not an issue, and yet another blessing to add to my gratitude list.🙏🏽

Yesterday was warm but too windy to spend the day outside, so we decided to do a little home maintenance—cleaning all the window screens and windows. I was grateful we worked on it together because we got it done in less than a couple of hours. He removed and cleaned the screens and I did the windows. I’m grateful that we have always made a good team.🙏🏽

What a difference our efforts made! The whole interior looked so much cleaner and brighter, the domino-effect kicked in and I spend another hour tidying up some more. But it was worth it. ‘Home’ is my favorite place to be, and I like for it to feel inviting.🙏🏽

This RV resort allows us to wash our car and rig right where we are—something our old resort did not—for a mere $5, so I’m grateful for that, too. Living where it’s warm in the winter makes all the difference in the world. We’ve got a list of things to do on the rig, and we’ll be able to work on them here. I realize just what a blessing being here is. I’m grateful.🙏🏽

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. ~Ephesians 5:4

My second attempt at socializing here (the first being last week when I played Mexican Train) was yesterday when I attended the “ladies’ luncheon” with my next door neighbor, Rose. Just like the RV park we wintered at for several years previously, someone is in charge of putting together events and activities for the renters to foster fellowship. After all, we’re all here for three months or so.

Food always ensures good participation; there were about 16 of us yesterday. Upon arriving at the office where those going were told to meet, Rose and I met ‘Jean,’ who immediately commented to Rose laughingly, “You and I look almost alike!” Indeed, they both wore nearly identical blue-striped tops with three-quarter sleeves. Rose replied, “In my younger days, I never wore horizontal stripes, but now I don’t care.”

Seriously, who cares? What a great ice-breaker! We continued chatting until we were directed to go to Pat’s car—‘Pat,’ whom none of us knew—with ‘Anita,’ riding shotgun. Complete strangers, going somewhere, talking all the way. We were all from different places—Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Missouri—but RVing and wintering in Rockport, Texas blessed us with a lot in common! Before I knew it, we were at the restaurant.

We were the last to arrive and were seated at the end of several tables moved together. While I gorged on chips and salsa, I tried to listen to the conversations happening around me—as tends to happen when women get together. I learned about a good storage facility in Sinton, TX for someone looking to store their RV in the area and listened to the discussion of possible future bus trips to places like the Houston Rodeo, NASA, a casino in Louisiana and even Progresso, Mexico. I immediately assumed that my husband and I probably wouldn’t go on such trips because of our pups. But then I thought, I could offer to walk the pups of those who do want to go. That might be fun, and it would only be for a day. We’ll see. I also learned about a good hairstylist at a place in town called Beauty and the Beach. See what all I learned!

Our waitress was very competent, service was great, and our food came out quickly. The conversations continued, regardless. I listened a lot, and relayed to Rose what was being talked about since she was seated at the very end and couldn’t hear a word. Before we knew it, lunch was over, and Pat drove us back to the RV park. I think Rose and I were halfway expecting to go somewhere shopping afterwards like we did at our old RV park, but no. We came home.

Things I’m grateful for: Ladies luncheon was short and sweet and fun. I met some friendly people that I might like to get to know better, and I’m learning new things about this area we’re in. I’m grateful to be able to be willing to meet new people and converse with them, and I’m grateful to just listen sometimes.🙏🏽

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. ~Genesis 12:2

Being grateful in each and every moment is a lofty goal, but I’m finding that it’s happening more often than not. And I’m grateful! I’m grateful because it’s really made a difference in my life.

Practicing gratitude isn’t something that came naturally to me. Practicing gratitude came as a direct gift of sobriety; prior to that, I took everything for granted. Of course, that’s not how I saw it then. Sobriety has given me clarity of mind and a newfound appreciation for life—after all, there was a reason I was brought out of the madness instead of succumbing to insanity or death, like others I’d known.

As long as I’m breathing, there’ll always be something to be grateful for.🙏🏽

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. ~Psalm 103:2

Lately I’ve been cognizant of my mouth and what comes out of it—in particular, to my husband. This is our sixth year of full-time RVing, and we have been in each other’s company every single day, nearly 24/7. He’s really the only person on the planet I could do this lifestyle with; even so, sometimes I’d like to tell him to jump in the lake.

We have about 560 square feet of living space in our motorhome, and we get along just fine most of the time. Not that we haven’t had our moments. We have. Especially when bad weather confines us indoors for too long. But 44 years of togetherness (accentuated by a few years living alternative lifestyles: first a boat, now an RV) has taught us both a thing or two about cohabitation in tight quarters.

I’m grateful I’m getting better at stopping myself before saying something I’ll regret.🙏🏽 I’m grateful when I pause and consider if whatever I’m concerned with now will matter in five years. It probably won’t.🙏🏽 I’m grateful when I choose positive ways of coping with frustration. That usually means some sort of outdoor activity: a bike ride, a walk, washing the car, tending to the plants (even better: pulling weeds!)🙏🏽

I’m also grateful that I’ve learned to not fan the flames of discord by talking about it to anyone who would listen.🙏🏽 (Not that I’m not ever tempted to.) It’s taken years to learn that it doesn’t do any good.

Always, live. And learn.🙏🏽

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking. But he who restrains his lips is wise. ~Proverbs 10:19

One of the highlights of my day is the daily phone call from my daughter. Sometimes we talk—her mostly—for nearly an hour. Her life is much more active than mine, given all she has on her plate: her business, teaching an online class at a nearby community college, being a graduate student herself, and single-parenting two teenagers, both of whom are in sports, and one of whom recently got his drivers license. My hat’s off to her. I cannot even imagine what it’s like to parent these days, what with cell phones, social media, peer pressure, and outlandish notions that somehow becomes imbedded in every fabric of society.

Recently she told me of a recent conversation she’d had with my 14-year-old granddaughter about her ex-, who’s chosen to not see the kids for nearly four years. I’m so grateful for their open lines of communication.🙏🏽 They’re helping each other navigate a shitty situation.

I’m grateful that my granddaughter has already learned the value and power of affirmations. When she discovered a list of 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Narcissistic Abuse Survivors, she copied each one on a Post-It and added them to others she had around her room. Then, she made another set for her mom and stuck them all around her bathroom mirror. I’m amazed at my granddaughter’s maturity. She gives me hope in and for future generations. For that, I’m truly grateful.🙏🏽

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ~1 Timothy 4:12

One of the redeeming qualities of growing old, in my opinion, is that one realizes that all those quaint sayings heard throughout one’s lifetime were, in fact, truths. This one came to mind as I listened to an RV friend recount how her neighbor, another winter Texan who’d been friendly to her just last year, no longer acknowledged her. That very thing happened to me, and I remember it like it was yesterday: the who (a boating friend), the what (suddenly stopped talking to me one day), the where (a marina in Port Aransas, Texas) and the when (1994). I just don’t know the ‘why.’ Never did.

It hurt badly at the time, but now I realize that my sadness was from “not knowing.” I had taken it personally despite asking repeatedly if I’d done or said anything wrong. There never was a resolution, unfortunately, and we eventually went our separate ways. I hadn’t thought about the incident in years.

That was just one of many times throughout my life I’ve met rejection. At the time, each one was painful. It takes growing old to see the truth in each one: that that person/job/appointment/place/whatever just wasn’t part of God’s Plan for me. I didn’t see it at the time.

I’m growing old, and still learning as I go along, hopefully …especially when it comes to being grateful in all circumstances. Even rejection. As long as my side of the street is clear, I now know man’s rejection is God’s protection. Practicing daily gratitude has helped me develop trust God’s Plan for me, especially because I don’t know all the details or why things happen the way they do. I’ve learned that it’s better than anything I could ever imagine.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. ~Reinhold Niebuhr