Forever Blessings

The day broke with the glow of promise: the weather would be beautiful! Cool fresh air filled my lungs; the humidity was gone. Birds and cicadas, the scurrying of squirrels across the top of our wooden fence. I could just stay here forever! So, I spent the morning reading on the deck. 

The afternoon sun warmed my face. Most of our human neighbors were off at work or running errands; animal neighbors took shelter from the heat. An empty quiet settled over the neighborhood. I could just stay here forever! So, I spent the afternoon napping on the deck.

As evening approached, backyards began to fill with the laughter of families resting in the blue-grey of the day; on the breeze was the occasional smell of a barbecue. Light began turning blank windows bright and crickets warmed up for their night song. I could just stay here forever! So, I spent until late in the night listening to the night creatures rustle in the brush. 

The next day, I woke up surly. So much to do. All those things I hadn't done the day before. The pantry was empty. Bills needed to be paid. Laundry had piled up and emails cried out for attention. Mom definitely needed a shower. By late morning, the list seemed to get longer --not shorter; my patience got shorter. The dog wanted in. The dog wanted out. The dog wanted in. By evening, she'd been out thirty-six times and she still managed to pee in the house. Yesterday was such a blessing. What on earth happened?

I reminded myself that today, too, was a blessing. The blessing of work. The blessing of money to pay for groceries and a market every three miles. The blessing of utilities and vehicles and a roof over our heads. The blessing of clothes to wear and projects to do. The blessing of Mom with us. The blessing of sight and a mind well enough to make lists. The blessing of the Holy Spirit in my life whose presence brings patience. The blessing of Tinkerbell, fourteen years old and still our faithful friend.

I could just stay here forever!