Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard 

 A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.

 

I have a great love for sparrows.  A very common bird, probably the most common, although there are many varieties, they are always a reminder to me that I matter to God. I know that many people do not believe in God, and that is their right, but I do.  Very much.  And knowing that I matter and that I count means the world to me.  And I know that He sees and loves me.

We have had a beautiful month of May. Its been marked by blue skies and warming temperatures.  Not a lot of rain, but June is supposed to have quite a bit of rain according to the forecasts.  I am not sure how they can predict such things, but we shall see. We do need the rain. It rained later on yesterday which was good. The ground is parched, and drank it all up.  We don't want a repeat of last year's fires, so the more rain we can get early on in the season the better.

 

 

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It's lilac season.  They are all starting to bloom now and the smell is intoxicating. I was admiring all of the lilacs that surround my sister' home yesterday when I was there for supper.  Mom always loved to look at the lilacs.  I know that they do not last long, but I do love to see them, smell them, and enjoy them while they are here. They always make me think of my oldest son's birth.  He was born during apple blossom and lilac season.

 

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In two more days, the 29th, it will be the 49th anniversary of me becoming a mother for the first time, for when a child is born, a mother is also.  I will celebrate my oldest son's birthday also, of course.  I have loved being a mother.  Of all the roles given me in life, being a mother for me was a dream come true and is the role which had brought me the most joy.  Yes there has been pain and sadness with it as well, but mostly it has brought me incredible joy and it is that which I dwell on.

This was probably the first time I brought my newborn son home to my parent's house.  He is not very old here.  I am not very old here. Only 19.  Being a mother was all I ever wanted from the time I was a little girl.  It has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I love all my children very much.

The return of the hummingbirds. I love to watch these fascinating little creatures so much.  They are so quick it is hard to get a photograph of them. Yesterday I made food for them twice.  Well, I had made some on Saturday night but then I was second guessing it because the cup I had used had all of the measurements worn off, so I did it again with a cup that had all of the lines on it.  I haven't seen any yet today, but that doesn't mean anything.  They come and go so quickly and I am not glued to the window watching all the time.

 

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Sunday dinners with family.  They mean the world to me.  I was so far away for so long that to now be back and able to share these times together is everything to me.  To have our father still with us and to be able to enjoy his company is a particular blessing to me as I had never thought I would see him again, and now I have had almost four years of this great blessing.  He was a bit low on Saturday, depressed.  I think he was feeling overwhelmed with the move and all, but he was okay yesterday, or at least he seemed to be.  I know how overwhelming a huge move like this is. Combine that with being 90 and it is very hard.  I told him that all he needs to do is to concentrate on what he wants to bring with him and we will take care of the rest.  Easy to say, I know  . . . 

 

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Being able to go to church on Sunday mornings and having the freedom to worship as and when I may.  To have freedom of religion. I know this is a right denied to many in the world. I do not take it for granted.  I am grateful for a whole community of believers to share my faith with, for the talks given, for the lessons learned, for being able to partake of the sacrament and remember the Savior, take His name upon me, remembering him. Singing the hymns.  I love it all and appreciate every moment of it.  It is a time of spiritual renewal for me.   The sabbath day, keeping it holy, my day of rest.  Set apart from the rest in special ways.  Its a good thing as Martha would say.

Having a place to call my own.  Its not large.  But it's mine to live in for as long as I want to live in it.   I am so grateful to have a home when many do not.  Homelessness is a real problem these days.  Rents are astronomical, as are groceries, etc.  I do not know how family's are making ends meet.  One good thing about my place is that my rent will not go up for as long as I live here, or so I have been told.  It is not cheap, but it is not as much as some people pay either, and the fact that it won't go up is an extra special blessing that I do not take for granted.

I love my little home.  Do you know that this is the first time in my life I have ever lived on my own with nobody else?  Its true.  Oh, I do have my cats, but they are very pleasant companions.  

I take none of this for granted. None of it.  I know when my cup is half full.

This . . . . if you can only remind yourself of this daily. Another good thing  . . . 

My life is a beautiful mix of good and bad. Joy and sorrow.  Peace and chaos.  I cannot complain about anything.  I have all that I am in need of, in every area, and then some.  I am blessed. At the end of the day none of it is small, but all of it is wonderful. An attitude of gratitude makes all the difference in the world. Being able to be grateful in all things, and I am.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛

˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛.There's

no place like home.

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Roasted Potato Salad. This was really good. It uses those smashed roasted baby potatoes. A simple yogurt and herb dressing. Basically delicious. 

I hope you have a wonderful day filled to overflowing with things which bring you joy, peace and happiness. Whatever you get up to, don't forget! 

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And I do too!