God's Hand

Life has been a bit challenging lately. My sister is ill and needed surgery. I know she is not alone. I know all of us who love her are not alone. I know God has been with us every step of the way. I see His hand. I see His hand in the bus and taxi drivers who get us where we need to be safely. I see His hand in the food servers who are serving us our food in the hospital cafeteria. I see His hand in the police car that drove next to me as I drove into the city making me feel safe and protected. I see His hand in the two heads up pennies I found lying on the ground when I was worrying. I see His hand in the comforting picture that reminded me of a family picture hanging over my sister's bed. I see His hand in the amazing medical staff who is truly taking care of us all. I see His hand in the young man who helped us get on the right bus. There are more places I see His hand, and I know His hand was in many places I did not see. Thank You, God, for Your tender living hand in our lives.

"Divine love brings order and harmony to my life.

Divine love sustains and upholds me.

Divine love guides me through the storm.

O God, thank You for Your presence in my life."

-Victor M. Parachin

My Favorite Day of the Year

Yay! Yesterday Gary opened our pool. Ten years ago, when our children graduated from middle school we asked them if they wanted a trip to Disney World or a pool. They chose the pool! So we purchased an above-the-ground pool. Every year we open the pool on Memorial Day weekend. It is my favorite day of the year. I love looking out the window and seeing the water. I love floating on the pool with my book and a margarita. (It is much too cold to go in yet.) Today, I am grateful that our children chose the pool, because it brings joy to all of us. They did eventually get the trip to Disney World too.

Uses Time Wisely

When I was in grade school there was a section on my report card that said, "uses time wisely." Out of every grade on my report card that was where I wanted a good grade. I still do. I see time as a gift from God, and I don't want to waste one minute. Oh, I do, believe me, I do, but I work hard at using my time wisely. I ask God to forgive me if I have wasted His gift. God, put me here to bless and serve others. I choose to use the time He is giving me to do so. I use my time to care for myself too, because I clearly understand that I cannot care for others if I do not care for myself. Today, I am grateful that God put those report card words in my life early on. I am grateful God opened my eyes and my heart to those words. I pray that I will always use my time wisely caring for myself and blessing and serving others. Thank You, God.

Today, Memorial Day, I am grateful for the men and women who have chosen to use their time to bless and serve me. I am abundantly grateful for their courage and love. God bless them.

Early to Bed, Early to Rise

I love going to bed early! I usually go to bed at 9:00, but I have gone to bed as early as 7:30. I am not much of a television watcher. If there is nothing I like to watch on T.V., and I am tired, I prefer to go to bed and read. I also love to get up early. 5:00 a.m. is my favorite time to get up. 4:30 works too! I get so much more accomplished when I go to bed early and get up early. It seems those are the days when I am able to do what I need to do and do what I want to do. Those are also the days when I exercise and eat healthier. There is much to the old adage, "Early to bed, early to rise." Today I am grateful for God's Divine Guidance guiding me to go to bed and get out of bed early. 

A Long Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is a four-day weekend for me this year. What a treat! I love to read, write, knit and walk. This weekend I have the time to do all four as well as the things I need to do. I am very grateful for the gift of time. Time to do what I want to do, and time to do what I need to do. Thank You, God, for blessing me with time.

Medical Workers

When I was young there were not as many career choices for women as there are today. Growing up in a strict Catholic home my choices were nurse, teacher or nun. I chose to be a teacher. I knew as a child that being a nurse was not for me, but I am extremely grateful for those who said yes to their calling to work in the medical field. Now, there are unlimited career choices for women, and there are numerous options in the medical field. Father, thank You for the medical workers You are placing in my path that joyfully and lovingly lead their patients back to health. Bless them, Father.

Charity Miles

Charity Miles is an app. Money is donated to a charity you choose from the app by sponsors every time you go for a walk, bike ride or run. All they ask is that you link up with Facebook when you are done so that the sponsors get the advertising. In my opinion this is a win-win situation. I am thankful my daughter told me about this app. It also motivates me to get out and move. God gave us all skills and talents so that we could bless and serve others. I am thankful that the creator of this app did exactly that.

Laundry and Dishes

Yesterday, when I came home from work, the laundry was put away and the dishwasher was emptied. Yay! My daughter Tracy took the time out of her day to do those things for us. Today I am grateful for Tracy's thoughtfulness. It was a joy to have two less tasks to do when I got home from work.

First Responders

Yesterday, there was a devastating tornado in OK. It went through a school killing young children. It went through a large area destroying homes and lives. There are helpers. God sent helpers. Running in to save and comfort. Today I am grateful for all those who run in to help and serve and bless. God has enough work to keep all of us employed 24/7 for our whole lives. Today I am grateful for all those who say YES to God.

Home Sweet Home

I love going away and I love coming home. I love my home! I love being home! Today I am grateful for vacations away from home and for my beautiful home filled with love and laughter to come home to. Thank You, God!

Piña Colada Martinis

There is a place called The Plantation in LBI, NJ. Harvey Cedars I believe. They make a Piña Colada Martini. Yum! Yes, the martini is delicious, but it is really the friends and family that we enjoy the drinks with. Today I am grateful for the good times at LBI with friends and family.

Sunny Escape

Sunny Escape is the name of one of the two homes we stay in when we are down at LBI. Sunny Escape is the larger of the two homes, and we can comfortably stay with 12 people. Sunny Escape is our home away from home. Today I am grateful for this beautiful home and the wonderful memories we are creating there.

Apps

I think it is fun to sit next to someone and share apps. A few years ago I had no idea what an app was. Now they are part of my daily life. Yesterday at work, during a break, a few of us were sharing our favorite apps. Last week my sister and I sat side by side sharing our apps. If apps make for joyful conversation then they are okay in my book. I am technology cautious yet extremely intrigued. I see both the positives and the negatives in technology. But, aren't there positives and negatives in everything? God, thank You for technology. Please bless us ALL to use technology to bless and serve others. 

Yarn

I am a knitter, a crocheter and a needle felter. Some magazines call people who do those things a "fiber artist." I say,"I'm a knitter." I work with yarn. I love working with yarn. There are so many amazing beautiful yarns out there. The textures are wonderful. The colors are fantastic. The prices are reasonable. I have lots of yarn. Lots and lots of yarn. Yet I still buy more. I'm a yarn addict. I was recently at a Yarn Expo and the man in the wool booth said that people like me make him feel like he is a drug dealer providing our fix. Yep, I love yarn that much!

Gary

Gary is my husband. Today is his 55th birthday. Happy birthday to Gary! We have been blessed to be together for 38 years. I am blessed to have an amazing husband. Our children are blessed to have an amazing dad. Gary is an amazing person. He is smart, loving, hard working, kind, generous and he ALWAYS does what is right. Today and everyday I am abundantly happy that God blessed me with Gary. Thank You, God!

My Students

I am a special education teacher. This week my students are taking the NJ ASK test. I am grateful for my students. They are working very hard to take a test that is extremely challenging for them, requires them to focus and work for a length of time beyond their ability and makes them feel overwhelmed, defeated and exhausted. Today I am very grateful for these students as they hang in there and do their very best. God, bless these students.

Face Book

Yesterday my Face Book newsfeed was nothing but Mother's Day comments - beautiful, loving, grateful comments. I am grateful for Face Book, because it provides the place to tell someone how much you love and appreciate them. I got to see a beautiful photo of my precious Aunt Eileen. I was so grateful to Face Book for that. I love my Face Book newsfeed. It brings me love and joy. Thank You, God!

Mother's Day

My mother died when I was eight years old. Gary and I tried to conceive a child for years. Mother's Day was one of the most difficult days of the year for me to get through. THEN I WAS BLESSED WITH MEREDITH AND RICK AND SHANNON AND TRACY! Today I am ABUNDANTLY grateful that God chose me to be their mother. Thank You, God, for choosing me to be a MOM.

Front Porches

We have a beautiful front porch with wicker furniture and ceiling fans. We live out there all summer long. Yesterday was the first evening it was warm enough to sit out there after work. Gary, Tracy, Rob, Rick, Mer and Me. A bottle of beer for the guys, a glass of wine for the girls. Ah, so relaxing! Today I am so very grateful for our front porch. A place to gather. A place to love. Thank You, God.

My Students

Yesterday I returned to school after being out for two days. My students expressed joy that I was back. That is all it takes to assure me I am doing the work God is asking me to do. Today I am grateful for the students God puts in my life. They are a gift. They bless and serve me in so many ways. I pray that I bless and serve them everyday.

Blessings Unknown

I am aware of the many ways God blesses me. He places a police car next to me when I am driving to remind me that he is protecting me. He clears a lane on the highway so I can get over to my exit. He places me right next to a cafe where I can get nourished. I also know that God blesses me abundantly in ways I cannot see. I don't see the many people who are working to keep me safe when I am in NYC. I don't see the person who pulled out leaving the perfect parking space for me in Port Authority. I don't see the person who made the delicious soup I ate for lunch. I am abundantly thankful for all God's blessings seen and unseen.

Taxi Cab Drivers

Yesterday I was in New York City, and I took a taxi to and from Port Authority. I was blessed with the kindest drivers. They got me where I needed to be with skill and thoughtfulness. Today I am thankful for the taxicab drivers who blessed and served me yesterday.

Yet Another Dinner

Yesterday my daughter Tracy called me and said, "Mom, I am making a chicken burger for dinner. Would you like me to make you one?" I love that kid. Today I am grateful for my thoughtful daughter. I am grateful for all four of my wonderful children.

Another Dinner

Last night Meredith and Tom made homemade pizza for us. Yum! I was truly blessed this weekend to have my children and our friends plan, shop for and prepare delicious healthy meals. When life is challenging me I find it difficult to think about dinner. Thank You, God, for Tracy and Rob, Tim and Milly, and Mer and Tom for blessing and serving me.

Friends

Last night our wonderful friends Tim and Milly came over and cooked us dinner. I am so very grateful to have such good friends. Sometimes one needs to let go and let others take care of us. Thank You, God, for Tim and Milly.

When Someone Cooks Dinner for Me!

Last night Tracy and Rob surprised us and cooked dinner for us. What a treat! The week had been more challenging than usual, and it was absolutely wonderful not to have to think about dinner. Today I am abundantly grateful for my very thoughtful children. Thank You, God, for amazing kids!

Cell Phones

Today I am thankful for pocket technology that allows me to keep in touch with my loved ones no matter where they are in the world. Because of technology I have been blessed with the ability to keep in touch daily with my sister who lives three thousand miles away.

Artful Blogging

Artful Blogging is my favorite magazine. Yesterday I got the newest issue at Barnes and Noble. Thank You, God, for this magazine because it brings me great joy.