Day 251

I am grateful for weather forecasts.

They're right more often than they're wrong, so I'm thankful for a fairly correct prediction of what to expect for weather. I have a garden and like to protect the more sensitive veggies when I need to. I also like to have a handle on what to wear if I go somewhere since I'm usually gone all day and don't want to be too warm or too cold. I'm grateful for the technology that allows forecasters to be pretty spot on.

Thank You, Lord, for this indulgence.

Day 250

I am grateful for hangers.

It's just that simple. Without hangers, half of my clothes would be wrinkled messes. I have no idea when they were invented, but I'm sure grateful to whoever thought of them.

Thank You, Lord, for this oh-so-useful tool.

Day 249

I am grateful for my Jewelee.

When our friendship was new, I reveled in how real and fun she was. As time went on and we became best friends, we found out that we'd had the same reaction to each other:  She's so normal! Seems we had the same history of attracting the attention of people we didn't really mean to, but somehow just did. We were utterly grateful to have found our kindred spirit.

I will always be thankful for this loving heart who has been through such deep trial and sorrow. My prayer is that she is on her way back up and that He captivates her all over again with exquisite communion and utterly satisfying companionship. I love this girl with all my heart.

Thank You, Lord, for my Jewelee.

Day 248

I am grateful for weddings.

Some ceremonies are grievous at worst, stupendous at best. I find weddings to be in the upper ten percent of fun ceremonies. I'm charmed by young love, sincere vows, lace, fresh flowers, abundant joy, exuberant toasts, and verdant hope. There is an expectancy of a happily ever after, even in a world that bears down and assails to tear asunder. Marriage is a sacred union, and I love the honor and reverence it is given in a godly ceremony.

This is the outdoor wedding we attended where Jylle was the maid of honor. It's her second wedding, but her first in that role. She rocked. It was hard to stay focused on the beauty of the bride because I was so distracted by that of my own daughter. Shame on me.

Thank You, Lord, for these wonderful occasions.

Day 247

I am grateful for George Washington.

He set the bar for the integrity, honor, and respect due the office of the President of the United States of America. His life, conduct, and faith in God are shining standards that define what we as Americans want to stand for. I have always admired him for that.

A story is told of the general as he was about to cross a river on horseback. A poor man went up to him and asked if he could ride across with him. The general agreed. On the other side, a soldier asked the man why, of all people, he would ask General George Washington for a ride. The man answered, "He had a 'yes' face." A great general with an approachable countenance. Ya gotta love it.

Most people don't know this, but factoring in what the dollar stood for then and now, he remains the richest president we have ever had. And on another note, he didn't have wooden teeth. He lost all but one of his teeth by age 57, and his first set of dentures were made of hippopotamus tusks and gold. He would have been 280 years old last February if we lived that long. A little useless trivia for ya.

Thank You, Lord, for this wise, brave, intelligent, and humble man.

Day 246

I am grateful for patriotism.

The dictionary defines it as devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty. In the midst of the presidential conventions, at least one speaker is able to strike a chord that reverberates  in me I love this country. I absolutely love the idea of standing together as one nation in that mind.

My family has loved, supported, and defended it, and our loyalty extends to the belief in her as the greatest nation on earth. May God continue to "stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above."

Thank You, Lord, for a unity of love for this amazing land.

Day 245

I am grateful for footwear.

There are SO many people in this world who own none. I have always remembered the shoe drive at our church years ago. A man from Malawi came and shared that hundreds of children walk around with no protection for their feet whatsoever, contracting disease and wounding their soles. I was overwhelmed. I have SO much.

Thank You, Lord, for this vital protection and luxury.