Gratitude Day 7

 On this 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I am grateful for our military. My husband served during Vietnam and my son during Afghanistan.  Neither talks about their service very much. 

My great aunt Harriet was in Hawaii on December 7th, 1941. Her husband was in the Navy. How emotional that day, and the days to follow must have been.

Having recently returned from Japan, my personal feelings are hard to express. I saw a country that welcomed me with open arms. I met warm and lovely people. My experience was positive and genuine.  

I fell in love with Japan in the short time I was there. I know there is much hatred in our world due to the past, but this is one country I did not see it. 

Gratitude - Day 6

 I went up to my art studio to water my papyrus before leaving for the airport. It needs a lot of water and I wanted to fill the pan it sits in so it wouldn't run out.  Much to my surprise, a flower was blooming! Plants had started to grow and I left them, out of curiosity.  A single cosmos flower decided to bloom today! I am thankful and filled with gratitude for little surprises.

Gratitude - Day 5

 What am I grateful for today? Childhood memories of simpler times. Silly us, sitting on "old blue". My crazy curls, even at a young age, helped pick me out of a group.  I had a wonderful childhood and it is fun to pick out one photo and imagine myself as that little girl again. I was a very shy, daddy's girl. I have his curls and his sense of humor. I also have his occasional temper. My sense of adventure came from him. I hope he is enjoying watching me travel around the world.  

December Gratitude - Day 4

 I am grateful for a fabulous cardiologist. 💓

I started my relationship with him in 2008. At our annual visit yesterday, he encouraged me to fast once a week. We also discussed our favorite fish. We agree - Sea Bream. Unfortunately, it is not available in the US. 

I thought I would share a few hearts from my digital collection:

December Gratitude - Day 3

 Snow. I am grateful for snow. It is beautiful. Our snow this past weekend came on a day that we were not going anywhere and I could appreciate just looking and admiring. I am also very grateful for my neighbor who plowed us out. 

December Gratitude Day 2

 I am grateful for the freedom to explore other cultures and religions. 

December Gratitude - Day 1

 I am grateful for the time I had with my son over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. He drove up from St. Louis on Wednesday and promptly decided that we needed to set up the Christmas tree. It was a joy to see him happy. 

It was especially nice to have him here to help with snow removal. We did get a lot! By Sunday at lunch time, the drive was melting and drying off. He decided it was a good time to drive home (before another round of snow kept him here longer!)

The time spent together was good. Actually, it was great! He will be back for Christmas. I am looking forward to more quality family time.