Day 60

It's a leap year, I am grateful for them!

Without the addition of one day every four years, our seasons would eventually drift into months that would throw off life as we know and celebrate it. It's not something we throw a party over, but it's a good thing someone thought of it, or some of us would get a little cranky about it being 102 degrees on Christmas Day or standing in snowbanks on the Fourth of July.

Jylle has a classmate who was born on February 29. That would make her a leapling, or a leaper. (Doesn't have a very sweet tone to it, does it... :/) I think most people list March 1 as their legal birthday. (Mental note: Have Jylle ask her.) I recently read that a woman has the right to propose to a man on February 29, based on a tradition dating back to 1288 and first practiced in Scotland.

Thank You, Lord, for taking care to give us 366 days this year to be grateful.

Day 59

I am grateful for corrective lenses.

I was 19 when I needed help for my vision. I still remember with fresh wonder the shock of seeing everything so perfectly clearly when the optometrist held two round lenses in front of my eyes and told me to look out the window. Everything in range was razor sharp. The trees had leaves! The buildings had ornate cornices! I felt like I had never really seen until this moment.

He prescribed contacts from the very beginning, and now that I'm older, there are ten pairs of reading glasses peppered throughout the house as well as a handy set in my purse. Without these trusty tools, my world would be a whole lot more restrictive and unsettling.

Thank You, Lord, for letting me see.

Day 58

I am grateful for ringtones.

When you call me, your ringtone lets me know that it's you. I love that.

I have a program that lets me upload custom ringtones to my cell phone. I don't have texting, so I can't send or receive them that way, and this saves the day.

Most of the tunes are a statement about the person I assign them to, although some are just simply fun. "Danger Zone" is for my Brett, the pilot. The theme from Star Wars is his darling Lydia's. Ryan's is an East Indian dude that always makes us laugh. Kev's is the sweet "By Your Side." Jylle's changes the most often, but my favorites for her are a baby's belly laugh and the chorus of "Coming Home," which she sings in her head on her way home from school.

Thank You, Lord, for the simple pleasure of these short bits of song.

Day 57

I am grateful for miniatures.

All my life I have loved the tiny. Miniatures of life-sized things. I went to the Philippines for my graduation/18th birthday present, and I brought back an array of furniture, none more than 2" high, all hand-fashioned of silver filigree.

A friend has a set of dinky spoons that I adore. Each has a different label like Dash, Pinch, or Smidge. Just too cute.

Thank You, Lord, for tiny delights.

Day 56

I am grateful for hummingbirds.

So small, so brilliant, so quick, delightful, and welcome, they are my favorite birds. With the weather warming ever so slightly, days lengthening by increments, spring's dawning rays hint, and it will soon be time to put the bright red feeder back out for my tiny visitors.

My mom had one light on her finger once. I know a family where that happens a lot, but this was once in a lifetime for her. She was utterly captivated, willing herself invisible, not even breathing for fear any motion would end the magic. Every time she spoke of it, it was as if she was relating it for the first time, and the same joy would dance in her eyes.

I can't remember the name of the tale, but the book Moral Compass contains the story of a family of sisters, and each takes after a certain type of bird. The youngest of the sisters is lovely inside and out and is the hummingbird, the most welcome bird of all.

I found the most petite nest on the ground today, utterly dwarfed by the humongous pine it rested under. My sweet friends will be back soon, and I can't wait.

Thank You, Lord, for these beautiful little creatures.

Day 55

I am grateful for this song called "My Dear."

It's by Bethel Music from their album "Loft Sessions." I saw it day before yesterday on Amy's Facebook wall, and one listen was all it took. So glad for the vast availability of music on YouTube. I listened to the whole album on Grooveshark, then checked out the price on Amazon. Oh, the wonders of the Internet!

The whole album is great, and another song called "Come to Me" is a new worship favorite. These are contemporary, intimate, novel songs with a lean all their own. I like it. A lot.

Thank You, Lord, for this creation river of life notes, strung together in song pearl.

Day 54

I am grateful for unexpected love from unexpected places.

This was a big, sweet hug of a surprise this morning. Ryan wrote a paragraph of some really nice things about me on Facebook, posted with a picture of the two of us. I couldn't believe it. Not because he's not thoughtful and generous in spirit, but because it says he posted it on Tuesday, and this is Thursday and I just got the notification. Mostly though, I know he's super busy in this, his senior collegiate year. He has one full schedule, each year outgrowing the previous--and yet he took time out to do this for me. A-mazed, I was.

My love language is gifts, and that doesn't mean just things tangible. Any time someone shows me that I've been thought of, cared about, prayed for, or otherwise blessed upon, it's a gift to me, and I am loved on. We of the gift language fawn over our gift for a while. First, we take time to simply admire and appreciate it. We gently unwrap it and marvel as we examine it, gratitude mingling with the knowledge of being loved, creating a kind of joy stew that warms to my deeps.

I marinate in these moments of quiet joy, letting its oils penetrate and soften. The satisfaction of it all radiates to other parts of me that I didn't even know needed soothing. I am comforted, held, and smiled on--and I am blessed.

Thank You, Lord, for this brand of grace.

Day 53

I am grateful for pillows.

Ah, comfort! I sleep with three and have eight in my living room. When I sit on the couch, it's cross-legged with at least one throw pillow on my lap. When I lie down to watch TV, it's with one throw and a neck roll.

Cushy, soft, pretty, fluffy, plentiful--that's how I like it!

Thank You, Lord, for this affordable luxury.

Day 52

I am grateful for Mel.

Mel is Kev's only sibling, four years older, and he lives in a lovely, quaint little burg with his wife where they raised their two beautiful children. He's led an interesting life, peppered with action and adventure. He has served subpoenas, driven for Fed Ex, been a long haul trucker, and has served as a volunteer fireman for years.

We give him a hard time about being late for everything and his ability to speak at length on practically any subject. He's a good sport though, and I'm not sure I have ever seen him angry. His laidback nature and easy laugh are both comforting and welcome.

He's the one who knows what most of the extended family is up to, and he keeps in touch by phone and in person. I admire that depth of care for family. He loves people, and it comes across in every gathering. I can see him genuinely appreciating every person he visits with, and that's a rare thing.

Thank You, Lord, for this brother. Please bless him on this, his birthday.

Day 51

I am grateful for flashlights.

These are my current faves--compact, colorful, and powerful. I get a free one with any purchase at Harbor Freight, which makes my day. (I think the older I get, the less it takes to make me happy-dance.)

My friend Tina Nenno gifted me with the first of these after a hilarious spell under a Red Lobster table looking for her tiny microcard with my sorry excuse for a flashlight. I was bit by the lighting bug. While they're not all this kind, I now have a flashlight in every room and glove box.

I just found out yesterday that my younger brother has the same affinity. Funny that we never knew until now. Can a fondness be passed genetically...?

Thank You, Lord, for light and light sticks.

Day 50

I am grateful for birthdays.

While I often breathe thanks for the lives of the people I love, I like that there is one special day every year to celebrate the day each of these precious people were born. My daddy's 82nd birthday was yesterday, and I talked to him three times on the phone. Alan and Wayneen picked him up for church today, and we three met them there.

Dad bought a bunch of soda and some cookies for everyone. We potlucked pizza, salad, and dessert. Both of our little families gave him cookies, which made me smile. Jylle made them, but they were from all three of us. Alan & Wayneen's were storebought, but they looked delectable.

Over a simple but scrumptious lunch, we laughed, caught up, told stories, shared views on the socio-political scene, and soaked up being together. My niece Jeslyn joined us later, and Dad's friend Leroy came too. There is magic in the simple. There is a gentle gladness in simply beholding these dear faces.

Thank You, Lord, for birthdays and precious ones to celebrate.

Day 49

I am grateful for my "sis," Barb.

From the time I met her, she attributed an incredible value to our friendship. Shortly afterward she started calling me "Sis," and she loves it when people ask us if we're really sisters. "Yes!" is always her response. "Don't we look alike?"

This golden-hearted girlfriend's generosity is only surpassed by her deep respect for human life. She was an EMT and eventually became a nurse, only to be promoted pronto as soon as they saw what they had. As incredibly skilled as she is in the business world, her passion lies with the kind and thorough treatment of needy patients. Her disdain for those who would treat them as profit makers is equally proportionate.

One of the things we love to do we call a "coffee quest." We like to try a different coffee shop when we get together to play, and we've come across some dives as well as some keepers. We meet in town, and she drives. She always pays too since I "drove all the way from Canada.

She loves my kids, and I know she feels a certain investment in them, which is completely endearing. She makes me want to be the person she thinks I am, and that's about as good as a friend gets. Her intelligence, compassion, reason, generosity, beauty, and charm mark her as a priceless encouragement and inspiration in my life. That she calls me Sis is a high honor.

Thank You, Lord, for my Barb.

Day 48

I am grateful for the music of Susan Ashton.

While I don't her music on the radio anymore, I used to, and I was always captivated by her voice and her lyrics. There was a time in my life when everything was turned upside down and shaken like I was so much snow globe. I played her song, "You Move Me," over and over nightly for days. It nailed my frozen state and soothed my undone soul with the assurance of His covering and felt ever-presence.

Even now, I find myself re-listening. I verge on the edge of a new green, and when I need a reminder to simply stand on the ground that has already been won for me and to not my heart be troubled, I go back to this song. And I remember.

Thank You, Lord, for this ministering gift.

Day 47

I am grateful for the book, One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.

My daughter-in-law has a blog where I first heard of this book. She's a voracious reader, and her recommendations carry a lot of weight. She included a link to the author's blog, which is lovely and looks like she pours her whole heart into it. The photography alone is beautiful.

I checked out the audio book and was gripped on the first page. Her use of language is like fine choreography--fluid, dramatic, poignant, enchanting. She gets in my head and nails thoughts I didn't have words for until she spoke them into awareness.

Her challenge to list 1,000 gifts you've been given by God was one impetus for this blog. For what and whom am I thankful? Have I thanked the Giver? There are the obvious things like my family, friends, and good memories. But that thing that happened that made me wither and hush--there's a gift in it. The time that woman screamed at me a foot from my face and spat the words, "Stupid woman!"--there was a gift there. The day Kev's cousin called us the most selfish people he'd ever known--a gift lay in it. There always is. He can't not be Gifter.

I have too often overlooked how terribly good He is. I thought I'd made an inroad the day I realized that there is not one person in the world with whom I would trade places. Sadly, I am a forgetting creature, and I have waved a hand at my rich life and said by that, "I want more." I will know victory over this though. I know that's why this blog exists. A part of me wholly believes He has plans to prosper me, to give me hope and a future, even when things appear far different to my narrow human eye. With the eye of faith I set my sights, and we do this thing Together.

Thank You, Lord, for the faith to believe, for the open eyes that follow, and for this dear book.

Day 46

I am grateful for The Hunger Games trilogy.

It's a story of the tyrannical abuse of power by an overtly self-indulgent government and the innate human desire for freedom. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a series of books like I have these. Actually I've only gone through the first two, but I'm going through Catching Fire a second time. I'm amazed at how much I missed the first time, so it's been great, almost like the first time.

Not only is the plot original and creative, but the characters are allowed to develop without excessive wordiness. I like the lack of expletives and sex, and how the author came up with smart labels for certain things and peoples. For instance, an "avox" is a servant whose tongue has been cut out. It comes from the Latin "a" for "without," and "vox," which is "voice," so "without voice."

The heroine's wistful mentioning of her late father's life and skills is touching. I like how unrequited love is not dealt with overdramatically, but the reader is keenly aware of the pain it must cause based on character development. She assumes on our intelligence, and I like that. Well done, ma'am.

Thank You, Lord, for Your creativity and giftings.

Day 45

I am grateful for Valentine's Day.

I've heard several stories behind the origin of this day, and the only one I want to believe is the one about Saint Valentine running messages back and forth between star-crossed lovers. Chaucer seems to get most of the credit for linking this day with romance.

My husband has this running thing he says about certain days set aside to celebrate something special. "Every day is our anniversary." "Every day is Valentine's Day." To a large degree, he's right. He does celebrate us every single day. He made it his life's goal to make me feel like the most blessed wife in the world. He has chosen to gift me with unconditional love and the utmost respect every day of our life together, and I have been extremely unlovable more times than I care to remember.

On the other hand, I like having a day set apart to think about and honor romantic love. Maybe I'm like most people who need to have something in front of my face before I really take a look at it and take time to appreciate it. I love being able to say that this day really does help me celebrate a gift that's been a rich, instructive blessing from Day One. I understand that it's just another Tuesday for some people, so I acknowledge this tremendous blessing.

Day 44

I am grateful for pizza.

Specifically, I'm grateful for Chicago style stuffed pizza. The first time I ever heard of it was when my mom brought us some from Texas. I thought They're right--everything IS bigger in Texas! It made a walloping impression on me, so I was pretty excited back when I heard that Papa Murphy's was making them. I imagine that anyone who's ever had the genuine stuff from Chicago would say I have no idea what good can be, and they'd be right. This is what I have though, and it's deluxe!

I have to say that I'm glad I haven't had one better than this because then I'd be ruined. Like having real Texas barbecue at The Branding Iron in Wichita Falls--ruined.

We don't have it often, maybe just once a year, and one piece is plenty. It's a sensory feast for mouth and mind, and I love it.

Thank You, Lord, for this bit of fantastico.

Day 43

I am grateful for my Dara.

That means "aunt" in their Filipino dialect, so roll that "r." It's her birthday today, and I think she's 75. She lives in Austin half the year, the Philippines the other half. Here, my two cousins are helping to celebrate her birthday. The pictures they sent showed the typical spread, which is enough to feed the troops of a small nation.

When we lived in the Philippines, we went to her house frequently. She was always in the kitchen, always cooking, feeding, and providing. Her face had that light, misty glow of someone toiling over a hot stove in 90 percent humidity.

I didn't know until I was in high school that when my youngest cousin, Corazon, was born, they all said, "She looks like Cyndi!" (We were back in the States by then.) My aunt said it was because she craved me the whole time she was pregnant with her. My mom explained that whenever we would go to the market, I would always have to sit with my aunty because she couldn't get enough of me. That's why she would always squeeze my cheeks and fairly pinch the life out of me. As a child, it isn't very fun, and I didn't understand. I loved her and knew she loved me, but I didn't get the whole mashing and squishing thing.

She has survived heart surgery, stomach cancer, diabetes, and her husband, my mom's brother. She was my mother's best friend from the time they were girls and the closest thing Mom ever had to a real sister. Her love, sweetness, and generosity are utterly endearing and make me want to shrink her and put her on a necklace to wear around everywhere. She is that charming.

Thank You, Lord, for my sweet, sweet aunty.

Day 42

I am grateful for Doreen.

Kev's brother Mel married Doe about four years after we were married. She has always been a vibrant, energetic, thoughtful soul, and I've always looked up to her.

She poured everything she had into her two kids, which I always admired and could never seem to emulate with the same easy grace. Now that energy and love are lavished on others' little ones at the preschool where she works. I wonder if their parents have any idea the caliber of care and attention their children are receiving.

As we hammered out the last details of our trip to Vancouver together for Aunt Ila's birthday party, she asked us what we wanted for lunch. She was going to bring food not only for the three of them, but for the four of us as well. She also bought a card and signed "From every single one of us Mulligans" at the bottom. She makes me want to love bigger, give better, and live out loud with open arms. I am humbled and inspired by her life.

Thank You, Lord, for this incredible sister of mine.

Day 41

I am grateful for Jeny.

This is my older brother's daughter. She was the first person to make me an aunty, and I have always adored her.

When she was little, I would read fairy tales to her from the same large volume that I grew up with, and we still have a special affinity for "Little One Eye, Little Two Eyes, and Little Three Eyes." I wish we lived closer so that I could read it to her little ones.

This is one strong, intelligent lady. She has four bright kids she home schools, involving them in local and regional projects that have enabled them to go on to the national level in competition. She has too many physical issues for someone so young, but remains cheerful and positive in the face of them, speaking about them only when someone else asks about them.

She is sweet, kind, thoughtful, generous, and as I mentioned already, strong and intelligent. Her faith, love, and good humor are examples for her children, who will rise up and call her blessed.

Thank You, Lord for my Jen, and bless her on this, her 35th birthday.

Day 40

[R-L] Aunts Dorothy, Ila, and Mary Ellen

I am grateful for Aunt Ila.

She is the oldest of the four Wilson sisters, of whom Kev's birth mom was one. Margaret passed away in 1967, leaving behind two brothers and these three sisters. The brothers have since passed away as well.

Aunt Ila is a little dynamo full of spunk, pep, wit, stories, life, laughter, and love. We went to visit her at her home in Victoria, British Columbia, last summer, and it was a hoot! We had such a great time listening and learning, looking at photo albums, eating like royalty, and making some wonderful memories.

She has outlived a son and two husbands, but retains a humor and spirit that doesn't take herself too seriously. Her faith, acceptance of circumstances, and a wisdom won of trials are an inspiration and model for us all.

We'll be going up to the Vancouver area this weekend to celebrate her 90th birthday. This is guaranteed to be memorable as well, as anywhere Aunt Ila is, there's a party to be had.

Thank You, Lord, for this marvelous lady.

Day 39

I am grateful for Beansie.

Kev made up the name "Jyllea" when I was pregnant with my third child, by playing a little "name salad" as we tried to figure out what to name her. She was the only one who has ever had that name, to our knowledge, until four years ago.

Our young friends called to tell us the news of the birth of their second child, and he said, "We have something to ask you. We would like to name her Jillea if that's okay with you." I was speechless and just started crying. A name is an essential part of who you are, and it is a great honor for someone to want something so personal.

Now we have "my Jylle," and we have "little Jilly." She was only two in this picture, and she's doubled her age since then. She's here today (napping now), and I woke up realizing once again, It will not always be like this. She'll probably start school in the fall of 2013, and I won't get this chance to spend time with this bright, energetic, heart-hugging little pixie doll. I haven't watched her brother since he started school two years ago. I am thankful for the reminder to savor this time and marinate in it while I can. She is a precious little treasure.

Thank You, Lord, for Beansie.

Day 38

I am grateful for knitting.

I only just learned how this Christmas season, so I'm not very good and have to look things up on youtube, but I managed to make my first scarf. I love the colors, and it's really soft. Jylle helped me get started and was a huge encourager when I'd run into a snag or didn't understand something.

It was only after looking into how to knit that I realized there is an entire subculture out there. There are knitting clubs, groups, conventions, chat sites, meetings, books, videos, magazines, catalogs, and some totally loyal, enthusiastic fans. My daughter-in-law has introduced me to a whole new world. I probably won't go beyond scarves and hats, but it's a pastime I feel good about, a limitless medium for creativity in texture and color.

Thank You, Lord, for needles and yarn.

Day 37

I am grateful for Sandy.

This is a darling woman. She is the sweetest peach, full of truth and grace, and a true encourager. I always feel loved and cared about after my time with her, and I miss her dearly.

They moved a few years ago, leaving a large hole in this area. Seeing her weekly at church and sometimes in between was always something I looked forward to and smiled on afterward. I am not alone in this. She is friend and confidant to many, and seeing her this weekend was a hefty boon.

Her friendship is a garden of love and joy to me, and I pray we will enjoy many more years. This wife, mother, nurse, cancer survivor, sister-friend, and role model is a marvelous grace in my life, and I am deeply thankful for all that she is to me.

Thank You, Lord, for my Sandy.

Day 36

I am grateful for sunshine.

This is a fairly recent development. The weather has never really affected my mood, which is rather influenced more by circumstances. My husband is the one who whoops and hollers, does a happy dance, and goes on a number of times about how beautiful it is whenever the sun is out. I have come to realize, however, that I find myself cheerier and more positive on a brilliant day, like everything will be all right.

I didn't take this picture and don't know who did (I just borrowed it from the 'Net), but I appreciate this flower facing the sun full-on, soaking up its warmth and needing its light for life. I enjoy the analogy of "sun" and "Son." I'm reminded of lyrics from "I Look to You" by Whitney Houston: I look to You, I look to You, and when melodies are gone, in You I hear a song. I look to You.

Thank You, Lord, for this blazing, radiant, sustaining star.

Day 35

I am grateful for Wayneen.

You met my little brother from yesterday's post. This is his wonderful wife.

A few years after his wife left him (long, sad story), he decided that he missed being married to his best friend, so he joined e-Harmony. He would call, and we'd talk about the different women he'd met, and I'd give him feedback. It didn't take him long to realize that she was the one.

One of the sweetest things he ever said was, "If you knew everything she's been through and how she chooses to love anyway, you'd be blown away." She's told me some of what those things were, and I am blown away. She gives all credit to the utter grace and presence of the Holy Spirit from the time she was a child. She doesn't hate--never has, never will. She has what a lot of us would consider good cause, but it's totally absent. There is a purity about her spirit that's both drawing and endearing.

We celebrate not only having Alan back full-on, but the best friend God brought into his life and who so blesses ours. With her kindness, patience, generosity, work ethic, thoughtfulness, and loving ways, she brings a joy and peace to our family that we drink in with deep gratitude.

Thank You, Lord, for this precious sister.

Day 34

I am grateful for Alan.

This is my little brother. We're a year and eleven days apart. We were okay with each other growing up, not really terribly close, but that changed in high school. He became one of my best friends, and I cried every day for a month after he left to join the Army.

He's a wonderful husband. He brings his lovely wife coffee in bed every morning and prays with her before he leaves for work. He's an incredible father. He worked graveyard while his kids were growing up so he could attend their athletic events. He is a hero to them to this day because of his devotion, provision, humor, strength, and love.

He's a loving brother to me, despite the playful digs he gets in. When we lost our mom, he took a week off to be available to us in the terrible aftermath, stationing himself at my dad's to do whatever we needed. Shortly after that, he started signing all his emails, "Anything for you."

When Brett got married in Texas last June, his granddaughter was the flower girl. He flew down to attend, and I was humbled at the time and expense he spared to do that. When someone loves on my kids, it's a really lovely thing, and I remember...

This guy is smart, funny, hard-working, charming, and loving. It's a wondrous thing to be related to someone so great and get to enjoy him as the sweet friend I've had for 50 years.

Thank You, Lord, for my little brother.

Day 33

I am grateful for Lydia.

When I was 12, my mom told me to start praying for a good husband, that he was out there somewhere, and God would bring us together. When I was about 16, I added and "good, healthy children" to that prayer. After we had kids, I started praying for the person they would one day marry, for their upbringing to be sound and godly and their hearts to be His.

When Brett brought Lydia home so we could all meet, we knew he intended to marry her. The fact that they'd only dated a matter of months and this was the first time we'd ever met her made no difference whatsoever to me--God had planted a titanic love for her in my heart.

We had a minute alone in the laundry room where I closed the door and faced her. Hugging her to me and with unsteady voice, I told her, "I'm so glad to be able to hold the first answer to our prayer for a godly spouse for our kids in my arms. I'm so grateful."

She is Brett's soulmate, and as corny as it is, they complete each other. He is solid ground for her, and she gives him wings. She adds joy, whimsy, flair, spunk, intelligence, order, tenderness, grace, sweetness, and love to our family. How's that for an answer to prayer?!

Thank You, Lord, for our Princess.

Day 32

I am grateful for my Brett.

This boy (ha, he's 25!) has so many endearing qualities. He has always been an old soul, quiet in speech, but deep and imaginative in the things that matter.

I've always said that children are our greatest joys and our deepest pains. When I took two months of maternity leave, I asked for one more month because I just could not stand the thought of having to leave him. It felt like my love for him filled every chamber of my heart, and without him it could not beat. He was my first experience in mother-love, and it changed me forever.

I could (and may someday) devote a whole blog to all the things I've learned from my kids. Some of the best things I've learned from or admired about Brett are loyalty, having no regrets, choosing the harder thing, generosity, letting stuff go, and genuineness.

Twenty-five years of loving this boy only gets better. He told me after he got engaged, "This must be so great for you, to see your kids grow up and go on to live their lives." It gave me a nudge in the direction of being grateful instead of inwardly focused on how far away he lives and how little we will see him. I saw that he was right. It is great to see my kids grow up and live full, purposeful lives. He also told me once that I was born to be a mom. It has been my highest privilege, and I give thanks for the one who was the first to grant me that title and role.

Thank You, Lord for my "Joey."