Grateful November 1st

Whether you feel compelled to express gratitude on Grateful Friday, are urged to proclaim appreciation on Thankful Tuesday, pray a special pre-dinner prayer of thankfulness on Thanksgiving, or silently thank your Creator when you hold the communion wafer on your tongue, professing gratitude for what you have and experience is essential. In fact, it was the impetus for this blog. I am so very thankful for the ability to think, say, write, and show my thankfulness for life.

This morning I was especially thankful to wake up at the beach house after two weeks of absence. I am so very thankful that we were able to make this dream happen. It has become the necessity to maintain my sanity throughout rather stressful days of schoolwork and the (ok, I'll just say it) crap that sometimes we all have to face. 

misty morning on the canal

I am thankful for fresh, salty air and the sound of the seagull's call.

I am thankful for the sunshine illuminating the leaves that are turning color 

from bright green to autumn's gold and red. 

I am thankful for all the talented people who have created music to enjoy as a soundtrack of my life.

Fiona Joy Hawkins is a particular favorite.

I am thankful for the sweet Mallards paddling around on the canal. 

I have always loved Mallards.

I am thankful for the ability to take photos that I can look at later...visual memories.

I am thankful for books to read aloud. 

We are enjoying Bullfinch's Mythology and The Age of Fable at the moment. 

I am always grateful for things that stimulate my mind.

I love the morning mist rising off the water.

 I am grateful for a comforting glass of wine.

I am thankful to enjoy that glass of wine in front of the fireplace,
in a comfortable chair, with my beloved companions.
I am so very blessed.

I am thankful for all my senses - to see beauty all around, 

to hear the beautiful sounds of nature and man-made pleasures (such as perfectly tuned wind chimes), to reach out and touch both those that I love and to observe with my fingers, 

and to taste that which gives a distinct pleasure of comfort and satiety.

On that note,
I am so thankful for my beach house kitchen
and the time to cook and create without feeling obligation or rush.

porthole created by the mist on my study window

love the golden colors of the surrounding trees and bushes
against the blue of the November sky

And, I am ever-thankful for my chosen field.
Even if I don't really know what I am going to do with what I am learning,
at least I have finally found my place.
A place I love and belong. 

from the book The Psalms of David ,
with illuminations by James S. Freemantle

I am thankful, not because it is a particular day,
but because I am urged to publicly profess what I feel
and think on a continual basis.
Gratitude.

I like to consider gratitude as the salt
that is referred to in three of the gospels of the New Testament,
(all references from the NRSV)

"Salt is good; 

but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? 

Have salt in yourselves, 

and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:50)

“You are the salt of the earth; 
but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? 
It is no longer good for anything, 
but is thrown out and trampled under foot." (Matthew 5:13)

 “Salt is good; 

but if salt has lost its taste, 

how can its saltiness be restored?" (Luke 14:34)