Gratitude Discussion Group

.......and I, my dear am grateful to you @artist01. You are so very loyal to Connect....no matter what is going on with you. Your messages of inspiration and encouragement are read and appreciated by so many. So even though we personally don't "share" a condition, I notice how others respond with joy to your posts. And you are so very resilient.....accepting the aging journey wherever it takes you. I have learned a lot from your statements, your sense of humor, and your ability to spread happiness and goodwill for all.

May you be safe, protected and free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

@artscaping Oh,Chris:
Thankyou so very much for those lovely words. If I could frame your message to me, I would!
You really made my day, my week, my month, my year! ❤
Warmest wishes for your good health. Laurie

Geez, everyone here is so nice. I am grateful today for coffee. High test espresso with a twist of lemon coffee. I am grateful for it because it helps me to be the best person I can be today. I am truly a nicer person with it than I am without it.

With all the "bad news" in the media, I think it is time to focus on that for which I am grateful. These are my joys this week:
Last weekend, we had our grandsons and their dog with us for 3 days while Mom & Dad took a short break. We worked and played, we rode bikes and "camped" in the driveway, we went on a 'venture, we hugged, snuggled and read stories. We were ecstatic and exhausted by Sunday night.

Yesterday, we drove 2 hours to a German Festival in a small town. Some of our favorite musicians were playing, and we hoped to see a few old friends after 2 years of not joining large groups (the activities were outdoors and in open pavilions. We got to see a number of people we know from 25 years of dancing, who we have missed.
We were overjoyed to spend the day with 2 dancing friends, each of whom lost their spouses since we last were together. Even better - they decided to continue their long-time friendship, moved into the same senior complex, and have become dancing partners. It was a delight to see them together, building a next chapter, and caring for each other. We hugged, laughed, teased and reminisced - and made plans to do it again next month.

Tomorrow, we join as small group of winter neighbors and a few of our collective children/grandchildren for a local camping trip. Again, celebrating life, survival, and opening new chapters as old ones end.

What are you feeling grateful for this week?
Sue

I am grateful that I have the Lord in my life and for my faith. I am grateful that after 20 years of limping, I found a wonderful doctor who was able to correct the issue with my hips which caused one leg to be shorter than the other (This as a result of an auto accident).
I am grateful that even though I have insufferable, intractable nerve pain in my legs and feet, I am still able to walk and drive.
I am grateful for my family, my friends, and my neighbors who are so very supportive of me.
I am grateful for every morning that I wake up to a new day and new hope.

@sueinmn Thanks for sharing your adventures over a few days. We have stayed with Covid on the rise again. But yesterday we left after breakfast and headed North two 1/2 hours to an orchard. We enjoyed seeing the corn and bean that is coming on. The sky was a beautiful blue and white clouds all around. The drive was great and not too hot out. In the next ten days days, we are in a heat warning with temps above >101 and no rain in sight.

I am excited for we brought home peaches, tomatoes, sweet corn, and new potatoes. It was a wonderful drive to see the crops up north, for we only have hay pastures and now are turning brown. We really enjoyed the day. Great to get out and enjoy the land in which we live. KLH

@emd @auntieoakley Thanks to both of you for a reply. It is nice to know that maybe sharing will be a bright spot in your day. KLH

Today I am grateful for Reconnections.
I spent a good part of Saturday at a retirement party for one of my cousins, it was wonderful to gather to celebrate since we usually seem to mostly see one another at funerals.
What was wonderful about it?
The retiree survived an abusive childhood, loss of a son, raised a disabled daughter to be an awesome adult, and has had truly some scary years - her husband is 5 years post heart transplant and doing great. Now they are planning a winter trip and a short visit to see us in Texas.
Her younger brother has survived a LOT in his lifetime - he is now retired, has finally left a truly toxic relationship, has beat a prescription opioid addiction and is again fun to be around.
My closest, age-mate cousin, in a for 15 years wheelchair with no hip joint, has been rescued from an abusive marriage, gotten working hearing aids for the first time in 25 years, is slated for a cochlear implant next year, had cataract surgery so she can see again, lost 100 pounds and gotten off insulin, and is looking to move into her own apartment again.
My brother is finally child-free after raising 4 children and 2 grandchildren; his wife is celebrating 10 years cancer-free, from a cancer with an average 3-4 year survival rate.

All of these amazing people are between 67 and 75 years old. We had so much fun reminiscing & making plans to get together. What joy!
As my Dad would have said "Where there is breath, there is hope."

This made me burst out laughing: "My daughter thinks I don't give her enough privacy. At least that's what she wrote in her diary." Too funny!!! Thanks for sharing @jakedduck1

Has anyone seen previews for the Hallmark movie on tonight called "The Blessing Bracelet?" What a great idea! You can buy them on Amazon. I bought one. Light and comfy. Think of four things you're grateful for each time you look at it.