Lesson 509: With Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving, Readers!

It is with gratitude I write tonight.

I lost a friend this week

after a battle with a brain tumor.

The experience has left me wordless for a couple of nights,

the glaring white computer screen blank before me,

the keys quiet.

We don't know how long the life we have here will be,

nor are we given our exit date at birth.

How we spend our days between the start and finish

is all up to us. 

Free will is a good thing.

No matter what each day brings you,

you can choose to end your day with gratitude.

I'm grateful for them.

This little turkey

took an interest in cooking this holiday.

He wanted to make a special dessert for Thanksgiving dinner--

homemade chocolates with different hidden surprises inside.

My son is like me.

He enjoys surprises

(and hiding things).

He divided a Christmas plate into three sections

and wrote Thanksgiving messages 

on the product descriptions.

Captain Safety was concerned about nut allergies.

They were delicious.

Sam's team laced up their high tops 

for their first basketball tournament of the year.

We are grateful for an awesome team

and excellent coaches.

They got a little recognition at the HC Alumni game this evening.

A friend of mine is moving out of town

to begin a new chapter of her life.

My team will miss her,

but with gratitude we said goodbye

and "see you again, soon."

I received my 33rd hole punch on my Team Adrenaline 

workout card on Thanksgiving morning

when it was 33 degrees.

There are 33 days from Thanksgiving to Christmas this year,

which got Eloise a-thinking.

Reserve time each day to walk one mile outdoors,

 in honor of the reason for the season, 

Jesus.

He lived 33 years on earth,

so walk one mile a day for each year of his life.

On a whim I posted on facebook my idea,

thinking one or two people may like to do it, too.

The response was much greater,

so I created a facebook group titled 33 Miles

so participants could share posts or pictures from their experiences.

If you are interested,

let me know and I'll add you to the page.

Birds of a feather

really do flock together.

Every time I watch a flock of birds

I try to find myself.

You can guess which one I am.

Here's the thing:

If you are the odd duck,

and vow to walk one mile each day without fail

from Thanksgiving until Christmas

and make your holiday season a bit less stressful 

by spending time each day with gratitude,

others will follow.

When I walk, I usually go alone.

It's often my only peace a quiet of the day.

I load my phone with a Christmas playlist and enjoy 

the songs of the season.

This is one of my favorites,

especially for early in the season.

Heaven Everywhere by Francesca Battistelli.

I leave you tonight with gratitude, Readers.

XOXO,

Eloise