My 52 Graces

Just a little giggle...

2009-02-23T15:50:00.000-08:00

Well, this post is for Deby, who I have virtually met via my friend Julie's blog - Blah, Blah Blog. (she is very clever - check her out) Anyway, Feb 19 was the last day Deby had her chemo treatment, so Julie and Bush Babe and others threw her an online virtual party.

So, being always a day late and a dollar short, I decided to join this party! Long after everyone has gone home, I assume.

However, here is my contribution. It made me laugh till I cried - I hope it does the same for you!

And way to go Deby!!

Grace #2

2009-02-18T20:34:00.000-08:00

My roses. This is an easy one. I have the most lovely rose garden, but will freely admit that I have nothing to do with their loveliness. My sole requirement when buying them was that smell good. Really good. And they all do! :)

But Mother Nature, and Hector the gardener, do all of the work here. They tend to these lovely creatures and in return, they positively glow in beautiufulness in my backyard.

However, the BEST part of these lovely roses is seeing the smiling face of those that receive them. See, they are planted on the side of my house, so I do not easily get to see them unless I make a trip to the side yard. And who does that?! So, when I am there, I will cut some and give them to family and friends.

Our dear family friend Annie lives by herself these days, and her smile lights up the room when she receives some.

My mother, who also has lovely rose bushes of her own, puts my little beauties in a clear vase placed in a position of prominence in her house. You cannot help but see them, admire them, and smile. And so my mom gets lots of joy every time she passes by them.

My neighbor Darla is forever asking if it's ok to snip a few to put in her house - for a houseguest, a small party, or a memorial service. She loves these little blossoms like they were her own, and fills her house with them. She smiles like a kid that just found a long-lost stash of candy.

And I get a big smile from all of this because so many people have had a brighter day or a little more joy all because of the lovely roses that, really, just happen to grow in my back yard.

Grace #1

2009-02-03T14:48:00.001-08:00

Today may be nothing special for you, but for me, it's my first time. Yep, at nearly 40 years old (but NOT 40) I'm giving it a go for the very first time. So far, it feels pretty good! They say the ending is the best, and I hope so. I mean, why else start if you don't get to the grand finale?!

So, this is my first time blogging. Yes, you heard it right - I'm a blogger. Well, a beginner blogger for sure. I was inspired to start this from my friend Julie and her amazing blog Blah Blah Blog. In January 2009 she felt compelled to add something more to her million-things-to-do list which was to write about things she was grateful for. The idea being that she takes time to reflect on the goodness in her life at least once a week, there being 52 weeks and 52 things she is grateful for. So, I thought, I can do that! I mean, at heart I'm a plagarist! And a lemming! So why not jump on the band wagon! And heck, if she can do it so can I! Nah nah nah!

Oh, stop yourself now Tracy. That was meant to be a nice nice to Julie, not a childish thumb on the nose manuever.

SOOOO... I will attempt to write about the things that I am grateful for, and believe me, there are many. I am a lucky lucky girl and life is good, so why not share that? I can't promise this blog will always be inspiring, or funny, or even interesting. But if you've got nothing else goin on, read on.....

My Grace #1 is my camera. Oh, there were others in contention for the number one spot, but I had to pick something. Part of the reason I chose my camera is because I can capture those wonderful, fleeteing moments that make up my life. Here is my handy-dandy little Canon.

I can even take videos on it too!

That sweet smile on my husband's face, or my little boy's sparkling 4-year old eyes, or that of my fab family and wonderful friends.

Or the many places I've been to and may never go again.

Or the relatives that come to visit our lovely house and share holiday memories with.

Or capture those moments when no one is looking or realizes I've snapped a shot.

Or the great times I spend with friends laughing and sharing and growing our friendship.

Or better yet, I get to see things I will never see again, like my grandmother's face. I can look again and again at her - and thankfully, all because of my camera.

Someday I'll get one of those big fancy ones, like this.

But for now, I am so grateful for the camera I do have.