still grateful...after all these years

i started a gratitude journal about 7 years ago, while attending the murder trial for my little sister and brother-in-law. i was trapped in a hotel room in macon, georgia for over 3 weeks and somehow ~ miraculously ~ i was able to find 5 things to be thankful for.  on days i struggle to find even one...i force myself to continue this exercise. the entries are all captured in the same little notebook i started in 2005, each year seems to increase in number of entries. on a day that started out in the yucks, i'd like to share a few things i've shown gratitude for:

• compassionate strangers
• finishing a book
• walking in the sand
• laughter
• creative outlets
• my family
• good hair days
• the back porch
• my legs {to run}
• hummus
• clean laundry
• talking to mom
• learning
• falling in love
• the opportunity to grow
• mechanical pencils
• fresh air
• forehead kisses
• a full belly
• evening strolls
• teamwork
• meatloaf
• hope