I can think of little that combats the cold and dark of winter more than the act of counting gratitudes. So here are mine for this week.
1) Earlier this week, on one already dark evening, I decided to brave the wind chill warnings, dressed in layers and walked to the end of our block to visit my wee grandbaby, Alyssa. As I walked up to the front door I noticed their Christmas tree adorning the front window.
Alyssa is a busy girl these days… walking and exploring. But the picture of her kneeling in front of her Christmas tree… bouncing with excitement at the little lit candy canes dancing in front of her, will stay with me forever. Her little eyes shone. Her little arms flapped at her side… trying so hard to look with her eyes and not touch with her hands.
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist.” ~Francis P. Church
2) Last evening I babysat “the Zac-attack” while his Mom and Dad enjoyed an evening out. Babysitting and bedtime is just so much easier now. The little gaffer busied himself amongst his array of toys, every once in awhile spotting “Jimmy-the-cat” and going for a handful of cat hair.
I laughed at one point. Jimmy, enjoying the company but looking for some quiet time, thought he had found a ‘safe place’ under a low lying table. Our Zac, both quick on and with his feet, quickly discovered that although he couldn’t quite touch Jimmy with his hands… he was still able to reach the ‘kitty-softness’ with his toes. What a pair those two make.
3) Gratitude is hearing your doctor say “ the pathology was benign”. A bit of a health scare finally put to rest.
4) It has been cold this week… almost bitterly so, with the red ticker tape indicating a dangerous wind chill traveling across the top of the Weather Network’s website. I visit this webpage on a daily basis this time of year and the good news is that the 14 day temperature graph is showing a very positive upward trend. Looks like warmer temps for Christmas week.
It just seems that one can not live in Manitoba without commenting on the weather. :-)
5) The cold has frozen the ditches and and trenches lining the trail out back. Sadie is free to run off leash and I no longer have to worry about a wet and very muddy dog. Sometimes winter is a good thing. :-)
6) Yay… my Christmas shopping is done!
7) Just a favourite picture from this week.
This girl always has me smile. :-)
I’ll bet your warming trend doesn’t come across as all that hot to many. :)
Good news that your problem area was benign. I could just see Alyssa being tempted by the pretties on the tree thanks to your well written words. You express yourself beautifully and I eagerly anticipate new posts because of it.
And Sadie, as always, is adorable (but don’t let Coco see that I wrote that!)
We think the biggest and best news is in #3… always good to hear that word “benign.”
Sadie, the wonder dog.