Today is the day that we Americans set aside to remember how grateful for our freedom, a freedom, I feel fairly safe in saying, is far too easily taken for granted. I know I, myself, am guilty of taking it for granted. So, I would be remiss were I to not mention my gratitude for the freedom I experience as an American. Many men and women have laid down their lives so that I can live under this canvas of freedom. Yet, what does it really mean to me? I mean, do I really give it more than a passing thought on this one day of the year? Honestly, I don’t. And, yes, that is a shame. Not that it makes it any better, but I think if we were to all take a good, long, honest look at ourselves, we’d all probably fall into the same situation.
As I consider the other things for which I am grateful this week, I am, as always, grateful for the people who are in my life. I’ve certainly said it before, but the greatest things in my life are not things. They are people. They are people who love me far deeply than I’ll perhaps ever understand. They support me, listen to me and care for me far beyond my wildest imagination.
The last week has afforded me the opportunity to begin a new friendship, to contemplate other friendships, and to truly live my life alone with Parker’s moving out. There are many blessings in my life right now. And, though most of these blessings are just beyond the surface and not extremely easy to pinpoint, I know they are they. I get frustrated that the house has been on the market for nearly three weeks and hasn’t even had a single showing. That’s ok. There’s a reason for it, and I’m grateful for it. When the time is right, when all the ingredients are in place, the right person or family will come along and make this home their own. And, that will be a wonderful day.
Here’s my confession: This day has been a little blasé. All my closest friends were either out of town, live out of town, or had plans with their own families, so that left me alone. I went out and had a quick lunch at a local fast food restaurant, did a little shopping, spoke to a couple of friends on the phone and spent the day alone. Was it what I would have chosen? No, but you know what? It didn’t kill me. I’m getting comfortable with being alone, with learning to get in touch with myself. I’m grateful for the many beautiful blessings in my life. I’m still in a great period of transition, and I’m right where I belong. And that is the heart of my gratitude on this, Independence Day.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment