Gratitude

Thanks Rose for the reminder!

Today I am grateful. I have been very fortunate in my lifetime. I have experienced many wonderful things. The love of family, friends and companions. The love of a child.
The love of many kitties.

I am grateful for the ability to see the world through my senses.

To feel warmth, like that of the sun shining on me as I lie on the beach. Warmth of a fireplace roaring in the winter time. Warmth from a campfire crackling in the open air.

To feel coolness, like that of a lake on a hot day. The crisp fall night air, with the windows open and the blankets pulled up tight. The frosty nip at your nose as you play in the snow.

To hear birds singing, ocean water roaring, crickets chirping, lakes trickling, kitties purring, the sweet sound of my son when he was just a toddler saying “mommy.” The church bells in the distance and so many wonderful songs and beautiful music shared by talented people all over the world.

To see the many amazing scenes played out in nature every single day. The sky’s vast canvass of virtually every color. From the deepest blues on a clear day to the gray and black storm clouds. The streaks of pink, orange and purple of sunrises and sunsets. The beautiful oceans of blue and teal, the white rush of water at the oceans edge, the clear water that covers the tiny stream revealing the polished rocks and mossy edges of dirt. The rock formations and mountains of majesty. The trees of every color and size, from ancient redwoods, to the tiniest sprouting acorn. Fields of greens and flowers for as far as the eye can absorb. Sunflowers, roses, iris, carnations, johnny jump ups, tulips, clovers and daisy’s. The amazing wingspan of a hawk flying overhead looking for his next meal.

To taste some of the most decedent desserts and the simplest pleasures like ice cold water on a muggy summer day. The combinations of salty and sweet or sweet and spicy. The crispness of an apple and the silliness of jello. The bitterness of a lemon muted with sugar and the tanginess of vinegar on the evil brussel sprout.

To smell a cake baking in the oven, or a pot roast simmering for dinner. To smell bacon wafting outside of a breakfast restaurant. The cleanness of freshly dried towels. The powdery innocence of a baby. The cocoa butter of tanning oil and breathtaking eucalyptus. A citrusy orange freshly peeled. A perfect cup of coffee. Root-beer.

To know there is still so much left out there to feel, hear, see, taste and smell. Yes, today I am grateful.