Monday, December 17, 2012

Being Grateful

I'm very aware that there is load of whinging and whining (from me) on my blog, when in fact nothing is wrong and everything right.

On Friday we heard the horrific news about Newtown, Connecticut and our hearts went out to the parents and the town in their unimaginable shock and grief. Everything I had taken for granted was now special and bright. To turn up to my children's school at 3pm and have them stride up to me "Hi Mom," bag bouncing off their back and shoes untied, was a privilege and a blessing.

Jackson, Tallulah, Cy and Harley

Oh yes, I've known that happiness "cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed." But still I've spent my time consumed by the next trip, the next sparkly thing, having regrets about not buying a Christmas tree or whether candy canes in a jar would make the room perfect. I haven't had the grace to accept that happiness is being grateful for what you already have.

So I'm grateful.
For Cy, 8, who bounces out of bed at 6.30am, so happy to be in the world that we can hear the grin in his (loud) voice as he belts out baseball chants.
For Tallulah, 11, who yesterday danced in the street with her friend Ariana, both wearing their best frocks. "Dressing up and dancing with my best friend..." she told us "that's one more thing checked off my Bucket List."
For Jackson, 13, who will sit on the couch all morning patting the dog, already knowing the quiet poetry of a day.
For Harley, 15, who's still not too old to be excited about his friends coming round on Friday afternoon to play whiffle ball. "Whiffle!" they will hiss to each other at school all morning Friday, reveling in how dorky it sounds.

For living in a place where hibiscus blooms in winter; for my Mum who will play Rummikub with the kids all week long; for a decade of friends who have sat with me in their kitchens eating hummus and pita bread, laughing, crying and rolling our eyes; for having a husband who plugs in my phone every night, brings me a glass of water and, when we've finished reading, gets out of bed to turn out the light even though the switch is on my side.

"Fanks" as Cy would say. Thanks.

35 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. That despairing statue on your blog today says it all, Emma

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  2. Like I said before, I think I love your kids.

    Thanks for your post, it brought a smile and I think we all need that just now. Fanks.

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  3. thank you for finding joy in the midst of sadness.

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    1. Thank you today for your heart wrenching re-telling of Rachel's Lament..."Great is the anguish of my soul; my heart is troubled within me."

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  4. Lovely thoughts & yes we so often take the simple precious things for granted - that we need to take a step back & truly appreciate them!
    x
    Melissah

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  5. Of such small things is a good life made, rejoice.

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  6. So very poignant and true. It's amazing how a tragedy can cause our vision to sharpen. Life is good.

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  7. To cherish those "little memories" of each day and live without regrets!

    Love & Hugs,
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  8. Thanks Jody x Rochelle

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  9. Yes, so many of us still have so much to be thankful for. I know I am, every day.

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  10. Ditto. The relief to see my 4th grader when I picked him up on Friday..

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  11. There really is so much to be thankful in our day to day lives. As a brand new parent this tragedy has really struck a chord with me and put things in perspective.

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  12. Replies
    1. Thanks Angella and thanks for hopping over from Expat Mum's blog...

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  13. Being divorced, I do think about how lucky I am on a regular basis. Of course my kids get to me, but I know that it could be worse.

    My heart goes out to those poor parents who have lost their children. Terrible, simply terrible.

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  14. Very well said, I too am grateful.

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  15. Everything you have said here just makes so much sense - I totally agree! We do need to be thankful for those little things - the normal, everyday things.
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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  16. We do all need to appreciate our wonderful families. I think I might also have to appreciate your husband if he turns out the light on your side of the bed. Now that's love!

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  17. "The quiet poetry of a day"...I think that is possibly the best sentence that I will read today, or indeed for the rest of 2012...thanks for that! (Jackson sounds like an angel.)

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  18. great post -- always good to center self and remember the joys one currently has and give thanks. but don't discount the topics you regularly provide in this blog -- you provide joy and thoughtful topics for all of us ... so, Thank YOU!

    just curious: does your husband ever turn out the light when he's done reading but you're still reading? I've tried that ... fun to mix it up ...

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  19. I've got a hubby like that too. So damn lucky I found him! And, to think, in New Zealand no less!

    Thanks for your wonderful insight and light post!

    C

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    Replies
    1. Chrissy, thanks for stopping by and commenting. A few years back there was a US survey that showed Kiwi men make the best husbands. They do the dishes AND care about their pecs too!

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  20. When these monstrous things happen we all stop and reflect...and count our blessings.
    Your husband and the light switch? such love!

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  21. Thanks for these reminders. I thought about doing a post myself, but instead took the day off and hung out with my girls.

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  22. So true we are so lucky to have our family walking in the front door.

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  23. Tallulah and I are kindred spirits!

    It was on my Bucket List to dance on the Avignon Bridge, as in "Sur le Pont D'Avignon on y danse sur la rond." Wish I put on my nicest outfit!

    Cameron B.

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  24. You're so right. It's a dreadful tragedy and we are all luckier than we know.

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  25. Being grateful for experiences, including the little, passing events of the day.

    So well done, Jody!

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  26. Hug them often, and how wonderful that you can

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  27. It is indeed a good time to pause and be thankful. Such a heartbreak and all we can do is be happy to have our own little families to hug at the end of the day.

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