Gratitude-The quality of being thankful.

Becoming a blogger has been an interesting experience for me.  I regularly have ideas rolling around in my head...many things and experiences I'd like to share.  That is the main reason I decided to start a blog, as an outlet for all of those thoughts.  But the reality is that life interferes and many times I just don't make the time to share them.  I've had topics pop into my head over the months I've been doing this, but by the time I sit down to write, they seem less relevant, no longer important, or just plain silly.  But I've had one topic that has been top of mind for a couple of weeks and it's importance isn't lessening; it seems to be growing. 

Life has been busy the last few weeks with travel for work, three four-legged girls who require a lot of my time, volunteer responsibilities, family commitments, and my attempt to live a healthier lifestyle and truly be present.  Every time I have a quiet moment when I think I might find time to write, something has pulled me away.  But not today!  It is Sunday morning, the day I dedicated to spend a little time writing each week, and it's gloomy and raining.  So as I sit here watching Imke sleep (she's pretty cute when she's snoring!), I figured that this was the perfect time to share.

I'm sure most of you have at some time in your life felt grateful for what you have.  I can't imagine any human being not feeling gratitude at some point in their lives.  I know that there are people who take time each day to write down the things that they are thankful for and there are other ways that we express thankfulness to ourselves and to others.  But are you truly grateful?  Do you realize just how much you have to be grateful for every single day?  Even when life knocks us down, and maybe especially in those moments, we need to remember how fortunate we truly are and be thankful for every day we are given; everything we are given.

It was a Sunday a couple of weeks ago.  We had a rather boring day at home, the weather wasn't very nice, and I was feeling a little blah.  Early evening arrived and the sun came out for a bit and I decided to take the girls out for a walk.  As we rounded the corner just a block away from home, I realized what a beautiful evening it was and just how fortunate I was to be out enjoying a walk with these three amazing dogs with all of the Spring trees flowering.  The smells of Spring, the feeling of the warm sun, and the joy of Imke, Maddie, and Peaches as they explored the world, all combined and I felt this feeling come over me.  It was that warm, fuzzy feeling you get that hits you right in the heart and makes you realize how amazing life is and how fortunate you are to be living it!

Just another day in the life of a dog mom!

I couldn't help but think "How fortunate am I to be out on such a beautiful day?"  I was truly enjoying the simplicity of life and the beauty that Mother Nature shares with us every Spring. 

Over the last two weeks, I've had so many other times when that same feeling has just come over me in the strangest of moments-like walking out of my office to see the blossoms starting on this tree. It smells amazing when it's in full bloom and I look forward to it every year. 

Or spending time at my parents in the country and watching the joy experienced by my sweet old Imke as she explores, and then after all of the fun, she and Maddie lying down to enjoy the fresh air.

And watching Peaches discover it for the first time.  She got so much joy from just listening to the birds chirp.  It really reminds you how important the little things are.

I'm especially grateful for Nicol and all she has taught me.  To this day I am still learning from her and I love to see the world through her eyes.  Every minute I spend with her is special.  She is pretty amazing!

Or experiencing something as simple as the circle of life when you discover a robin's nest full of beautiful little blue eggs. 

And how about the simple gratitude you feel when coming home after a couple of days on the road for work.  I do feel so fortunate to live in such an amazing place as Michigan!

But mostly, I'm just grateful for every day that I get with these three beautiful girls who make every day an adventure.  I am truly fortunate and so very grateful every single day.  I hope you realize just how much you have to be grateful for as well.  Don't take one minute for granted!  Life is a special gift!

“So you think this is just another day in your life? It’s not just another day. It is the one day that is given to you…today.” ~ Br. David Steindl-Rast