Sitting here on a Saturday afternoon in Chicagoland, wrapped in a warm Christmasy blanket while the little one sleeps and the bigger one is at work makes me so grateful.
It's a little nippy, but I have shelter from the cold wind, blankets to wrap up in, and a thermostat I can tweak if need be. I have hot coffee and hot tea at my disposal.
My son is safe and snug in a nice bed in his own room. And he's worn out because we had reliable transportation and went to a mall to play. He is healthy and vital enough to want and need exercise and social interaction. He is becoming able to verbalize he wants and needs ("i wanna play, momma.")
My husband has gone to work. Yes, it's Saturday; yes, all three of us would rather he be home. But he's employed. No, he's not earning time and a half. But he earns enough that I can stay home with our boy and take care of them both. He works today because he's a good manager. His employees have to work and he's there to support them, to show that he's not asking them to do something he's not willing to do. It'll make the next three days he's off that much more wonderful.
To top it all off, it's my parents wedding anniversary. Thirty-nine years ago today, they embarked on the journey of a lifetime! Two kids, three grandkids, a couple of jobs, a retirement, and a million travelling miles later, they're more in love with one another than ever. They have both shown me so much of what a Godly life well lived can and should look like. They've been the embodiment of good employees, good parents, good spouses, good children, good siblings, good friends, and good people. The best thing they could do for my brother, me, our spouses, and our kids is to love one another well, without judgment, beyond conditions. And they do. I am so grateful for the parents God gave me. I will count my life blessed and successful if I can live half as beautifully as they have thus far. I expect the rest of their lives will be equally as inspiring.
I know my mother will read this. And I know she will shake her head, claiming to be "boring," "ordinary," or "unremarkable." But the truth is, she is beautiful, extraordinary, fascinating, and funny. She's a rockstar mom and grandmother. My dad is charming, outgoing, fun, and loving. And quite frankly, there's a whole bunch more adjectives I could use to describe them both. But I'd be remise if I didn't tack on one more that applies to them both. And I think is the epitome of how they live their lives, both privately with one another and to the world - generous. They're some of the most giving people I know. They would tell you that's one of the reasons they're as blessed as they are. But I think when you're as much of a blessing to a world full of individuals as they are, they're bound to get loved and blessed right back. But they never expect anything. They're just remarkable people who I am blessed to call mine.
I'm a very grateful woman. May tomorrow and the new year keep me so, whatever may come.
