Counting My Blessings

These are a few of my favorite things. Comments from Sharon Kessler are always uplifting. Sharon is one of those rare people who listens. Here’s another. In the mornings, I have to shuffle my feet when I get up, half asleep, and walk through the house in the dark, because our black Manx cat, Lucky, is always underfoot saying, “Hi” in a purring sort of way.

No matter the day or my mood, a phone call to my best friend from college days, Beth Moore Ragusin, can “fix” whatever is up. One of the reasons is because no matter how awkwardly or ineptly I word whatever is wrong, she understands what I did and didn’t say and “gets” it. Also, she will be the first to call me if something goes right for me, or she will e-mail me, “YGG” for “You go, Girl!” Also, we share prayer requests, and that keeps me going, both praying for and being prayed for.

My phone just rang. It was Janika Montgomery, a Shorter student. She asked could I write her a letter of recommendation for grad school; life gets no better than writing letters of recommendation for excellent, world-changing students like Janika! She’s going to be a school counselor.

My son has jet black hair and the most beautiful brown skin. My daughter has my brown eyes and her father’s features. My husband is the sweetest person I know and also the funniest; he’s my best friend.

I can see. I can walk. I can work.

I know many, many very kind people. Sabrena Parton is one of them. LaVonne Neff is another. Then there is Phyllis Tickle, too. Martha Shaw obviously rocks. Vic Mitchell is awesome. Matt Larry looks out for his friends, and I’m lucky to be one of them. Jill Borchert is amazing. Stephanie Owens listens, too, and is kind. Gary Davis is always up for doing something generous, for telling a great story from behind the Shorter post office window, and for going to lunch. And the list goes on.

Today I had lunch at Las Palmas with Karen Hice Guzman from InterVarsity, a new friend but one I feel I’ve known for a very long time already.

I love the yellow daffodils in my yard because their beauty announces that spring is on its way. Just hang on. I love nachos and salsa. Just love them. I love any good conversation, timeless.

I love the challenge of 300 blank pages and a book contract. Yes, it may scare me to death, but it’s the good kind of scared, like sitting on top of a hill in a rollercoaster, about to swing down with the wind rushing through your hair, screaming, already anticipating the next climb up.

It’s a good life, a very good life.