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.  

 

(source)

I had a wonderful Easter. The first one in my lifetime that I did not have a chocolate bunny, but that's okay. I didn't need a chocolate bunny. It was a beautiful culmination of the 40 days of Lent and then last week in the Holy Week in Jerusalem videos, plus the church videos, lessons, etc. that my own church had put out.  I really felt the spirit the whole time. That can never be a bad thing. I am so grateful for my deep-rooted faith in the risen Lord. It has made all the difference in the world to me and to my life.

Easter dinner with the family. I had everyone here for Easter dinner yesterday.  I roasted a chicken, and we had frozen scalloped potatoes, stuffing, carrots, beans, homemade cornmeal biscuits and an assortment of pickles and relishes.   Ice cream for dessert. I took a meal over to Sheila afterwards.  I thought it turned out quite well and the best part was being able to cook a meal for my family and spend this time together.  Family time is never wasted.

 

(source)

I had a lovely long facetime with my oldest son on Saturday.  I think we talked for almost two hours. It was great, and it helped to keep me awake as well.  He says he is going to come over soon, once Gabe is finished his university classes and exams for the year, just him and Gabe for a visit. That will be nice. Something to look forward to.

 

(source)

There was a beautiful church service at my church yesterday. It was filled with beautiful music and readings, etc. I watched it online.  I really felt the spirit through the whole thing.  It sounded like the chapel was quite full, which is nice.  It was a beautiful part of a beautiful day.

 

(source)

I have had two pretty wonderful full nights of sleep. Saturday night and last night. I slept like a log right through until morning, both nights without waking up at all. No needing to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night or anything. Full, solid sleep. I needed that.  I have not slept like that in years. May it continue.

 

(source)

Doing this. Bit by bit. It is not an easy thing, but it feels good to do so.  I have been reading the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning and it has helped.  Much of what we cling to in life really only means something to us.  It will not have the same meaning to our children.  Oh a few things will, but for the most part the rest is just dross. Keep what you love, need and what makes you happy. Bit by bit, get rid of the rest.  Helping dad clear out his place was a real eye opener, and it was hard work. Watching people on this street pass away and their families have to deal with what they left behind has also been an eye opener.  I don't want my family to have to deal with that to any great degree. There is enough to be dealing with when you lose someone dear to you, without being faced with the chore of having to clear out a house full of dross.  It is an act of kindness when you reach a certain age, to cut back and clear out. May I live long enough to get it done.

We did one of those face thingies on the iPhone using a picture of mom yesterday.  This was one of the images it produced. It does look quite a bit like her, surprisingly.   The mouth and the eyes.  Mom is always a big part of our family celebrations.  Her picture hangs over my dining room table and I always try to incorporate something which she loved. Yesterday it was Grapenuts Ice cream.  Oh, how she loved that. You cannot always find it, but the other day when I was in the store there was one tub of it left. I thought of mom right away and grabbed it. 

 

(source)

I am so grateful to have the sister that I have. She is one of the greatest blessings in my life.  I love her so very much and not just because of what she does for me.  I have always loved her. She has been my best friend for a very long time now.  I won't say how long because she doesn't like being reminded of how long, but you know if I am going to be 70 on my birthday in August, then she is getting up there as well.  Anyways, she is the best thing my parents ever gifted me with.  I remember how close mom was to both of her sisters, but especially to her youngest sister. I know how much she missed her when she was no longer there. Mom was the last leaf clinging to the branches of their family tree.  I don't want to be the last leaf. I could not bear a life without my sister in it. You all know how I feel about her, I say it all the time. I love her to the moon and back again.

We are taking Mac for a checkup this afternoon. Hopefully they have good news for us.  Fingers crossed.

 

These two. They balance out my life, bring me joy and I would not want to be without them now. My little lion and lioness.

 

(source)

And that is the goodness of my life, the gold, the silver, and everything in between. Faith, family, friends, home, health, love.  I have a sweet and abundant life filled with goodness. Oh sure, it is not perfect, but I have enough goodness in my life to make the not so perfect things count for less and less.  I have more than enough and enough to share.  That is not a bad thing at all. I am blessed.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

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

 *.I am most interested in the little things,

the things nobody observes,

that nobody thinks are of any value.

~Ruth Bernhard   ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today, Butterbean Soup.  Velvety deliciousness. Simple to make, hearty, healthy and economical.

I hope that you have a beautiful day.  Be happy, be blessed, stay safe.  Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═══════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  

And I do too!