Simple comforts

Blustery autumn.

Season of chilly winds and indoor pleasantries.

But medical adventures have a way of disrupting all that.

Distressing circumstances call for simple comforts,

so Mr. Wonderful and I took a long walk, 

hand in hand,

recounting our favorite things.

As my mother used to say, "the happy things."

The things that make us glad.

And there are so many of them!

 Warm, cosy homes

with views of brilliant golden sunsets.

 Gently rolling hills.

Muted colors.

The scent of wood smoke on a crisp morning breeze.

 Familiar paths, replete with bird song.

All the hues of the rainbow... 

blues and greens intermixed

with buttery tones of sand.

They say when you lose one sense, the others are strengthened.

When you lose the ability to speak normally, you gain an appreciation for the beauties of 

bird calls, whistling of the wind, and the crunch of leaves underfoot.

You become more comfortable with silence,

something that is lacking in modern life, and surprisingly soothing.

 We love the play of light and dark,

bright colors and ones that are more subdued.

Dappled morning light.

Surprises in a pathway... love notes from God. 

Crinkles.

Dewdrops.

Complex shapes and simple ones.

But more than anything else, most comforting of all

is the warmth and wonder of being loved.

A kind touch, a little scratch behind the ear, so to speak.

Just the thought of so many blessings

makes everything feel so much better. 

So thankful that God has given us simple comforts along the path.

What a blessing to be resting in strong, caring hands.

And counting the blessings of simple comforts.

Thousands of blessings

It's my favorite holiday again.

Time to say thank you.

Thank God for morning, for blue skies, and autumn sunshine.

The clouds blow away, along with the bad dreams.

Oh the pleasure of counting our blessings! 

Blessings shining and abundant as the glowing birch trees along the river bank.

 Yes, there's adversity.

But there's also joy and peace and abundance.

Time for looking at leaves blowing in the wind

and the smile of the three year old next door.

This is the week for noticing, for saying thank you, for gratitude for the million and one gifts we've been given.

Blessings more uncountable than the leaves fluttering on the birches...

Hope.

Love.

Gratitude.

May they all be yours in abundance this Thanksgiving.

On being deeply rooted

There is such beauty in a tree that has stood its ground,

standing firm and deeply rooted

through even the violent storms.

And so with us, too.

I've been diagnosed with a permanent vocal disability.
A fairly serious one.


But this is the season to count our blessings.
How do you thank God for such difficult news?

I'm thankful that I can speak through my art.
Thankful for loving family, supportive friends.

So thankful that the last sentence I spoke loud & clear was, "I love you."
Thankful for a strong faith that will carry me through.

I'm so thankful that though life breaks all of us,
we can choose to become deeper, wiser, stronger
because of hardship.

Tears are healing, but we can blow our noses
and go on with determination and thanksgiving and faith.
Even joy!

And somehow, we can still thank God for the hard things.
They can be a gift.

Root. Grow strong. Hope and gratitude will prevail.