Grateful

Today, I am grateful.

I'm grateful that I am healthy enough to exercise. I have a friend who has such severe health problems that she never knows when she will be well enough to even leave the house, let alone exercise.

I'm grateful that I have the means to go grocery shopping for my family. I read in the newspaper about people lining up for hours for a free breakfast from Denny's. One woman said that after she paid her rent she only had $10 and used it to buy gas.

I'm grateful that my father is still alive and I can tell him that I love him. I have a cousin who wrote a beautiful tribute to her father to give to him on Father's Day. She didn't give it to him in time - he passed away and she used it as a tribute at his funeral. I love you, Dad.

I'm grateful that my husband is home. I have many, many friends whose husbands are serving overseas in dangerous military assignments. They worry every day about them. They are amazing examples of fortitude and faith - keeping their homes and families running alone.

I'm grateful that my children are growing and healthy. I have a friend with newborn, premature twins and was in the hospital with one all day yesterday. She is still worrying about him, unsure of his progress and condition. Her husband is gone, too.

I'm grateful that my heater works. It has been unseasonably cold where I live and I saw a man today walking the street, wrapped up as tightly as he could be against the bitter wind. I wondered if he had anywhere warm to sleep tonight.

I'm grateful that I can read. I have met two women from other countries who can neither read nor write English very well, living in America and raising families here.

I'm grateful for my sight. I have a friend who works at the Center for the Blind in my city who reminded me that if I think I'm having a hard time, I should go there. Those people understand what difficulties, and opportunities, really are.

I'm grateful that I can choose how to see, and be in the world.

Today, I am grateful.