Double Duty Thank You

Last week I was swamped with tasks and I didn't get to type my thankful list.  I always keep a running list going in my car, in my journal, and on various post-in notes, so I'm always recording my thoughts, but last week I just didn't have time to sit down at the keyboard and compose them.  With my grandfather in rehab in Irving, I fear this week will also be hugely busy, so I'm going to give my readers 20 things that I'm thankful for to cover the last seven days and the next seven.

1.  Traffic that makes you stop to observe your surroundings
Since my grandfather has been ill and in the hospital and now rehab, I've been doing a lot of driving and a lot of sitting in traffic.  One night as we were driving home from an errand we were stuck in traffic during a beautiful sunset.  If there hadn't been traffic, we would have gone forward without savoring the beauty.  I'm grateful when life makes me stop.

2.  Entertainment during traffic
Oh the fun games the kids and I play in the car!  Last week we rolled down our windows and started yelling at bales of hay.  "Hey, hay!  Hey, hay!"  Claire was doing the honk horn symbol to everyone that passed.  We were cracking up.

3.  Finding quality care for a loved one
My cousin and I were faced with placing my grandfather in a rehab facility this week and I am grateful we chose one with employees that care about their patients.  When my grandmother was ill we learned that the furnishings of a retirement home have nothing to do with the quality of care that patients receive.  We selected one with decent furnishings and so far, high quality care.

4.  Hand washing
One of my soapboxes (literally) around here is the importance of washing your hands in relation to your overall health.  Adam and I have instilled in both our children that washing hands is part of going to the bathroom.  Now that Claire is in kindergarten, she has taken that knowledge to school and is unknowingly holding janitors accountable to keep the soap dispensers full and her teacher on her toes about making sure at least one child washes her hands with soap and water multiple times a day. 
Also, when I went to see my granddad for the first time in his new abode, I walked in on him washing  his hands very thoroughly.  I don't remember the last time I saw him at a sink taking care of himself.  It was a moment of rejoicing because the day before he seemed not to be able to get out of bed.

5.  Physical therapy for all
Part of my grandfather's physical therapy is practicing to catch and throw balls.  We were visiting him and Paul picked up a ball and joined in the fun.  I have some pictures of the two of them playing ball; something they have never done together.

6.  Text messages that avoid fights
My father has decided that the best way to communicate with his family in North Texas is through text messaging.  Apparently he has chosen the correct way because we've had several courteous conversations that way and when he had to speak to my cousin the other day on the phone, they mutually decided that text messaging was a more positive way to go.  I believe that if we didn't have that avenue, there would be a lot of yelling.

7.  Ghosting neighbors
This week after the kids went to bed, our doorbell rang.  No one was there, but there was a bag of candy with a note.  We had been "ghosted", and our job was to pass it on to two other neighbors.  It was such a cute idea that we chose three houses.  The kids were so excited to run up to a house, ring the doorbell and run away.  We were only discovered once, when both kids were giggling so loud we were caught red-handed.

8.  Flying squirrels
Driving home from church a minute ago, I saw a squirrel jump from the ground, three foot in the air, to land in a tree.  I am so happy when I glance around and happen to time it just right to see sights like that.

9.  Play dates with friends
We had Claire's two best school friends over after school this week for a play date.  Both girls were polite and well behaved.  There was a lot of giggling and no fighting.  I was so happy that for her best friends, she chose the same girls I would have chosen for her.

10.  Knowing my kids are safe and loved
My kids feel quite at home at our church, Arlington Heights UMC.  They feel so at home that they sort of wander around greeting everyone in there path, and accepting cookies from many, many friends.  (One day Paul ate 12 cookies.)  Whenever we're at church, I always know that whatever part of the building the children are in, they are safe and they are loved.  I cannot ask for more.

11.  Smoothly paved roads
As I've been burning rubber on 183 and I-30, I appreciate the good condition our highways are in.  In some parts of the world you cannot travel very fast because of potholes or lack of pavement.  In Fort Worth, Texas, we don't even think about it.  Our only concern is traffic, not the quality of driving surfaces.

12.  Long drives by myself.
A few times I've trekked to Irving alone to see my grandfather.  It's so peaceful in the car.  Usually I don't even turn on the radio; I just listen to all the thoughts in my head until they calm down.  Sometimes I roll the windows down and blare out music that's not really appropriate for children.  Either way, I enjoy being by myself.

13.  Alone time
Adam and the kids have been camping for nearly 24 hours.  I expect to hear of their arrival home any minute now.  For 24 hours I have gratefully acknowledged that no one needed me and I could do and eat what I please.  I shopped, I finished a book, I worked, I watched bad TV, I went out with a friend, I went to worship alone.  It was fabulous, but it also makes me realize how much richer my life is with my kids around.

14.  The Lizard Reality Show
Every night after dark, a family of lizards gathers on the screen of my kitchen window.  From that post, they catch and eat flies and seem to socialize.  It's fascinating to watch them hunt the fly, catch it, chew it, and even watch their stomach muscles begin to digest it.  We call it our own reality show.

15.  Catching up
Until the kids arrive home in about an hour, I can relax knowing I have caught up all the laundry.  Every sock has been matched, folded, and put away, every shirt has been hung....for now.

16.  Listeners
Last night I went to dinner with a friend.  We talked and talked and talked and talked.  We even talked about talking and about how sometimes we know we're not interesting.  She told me about how her husband often tells her stories from work or the news that she might not be interested in, but she listens with interest because he listens to her when she tells him about the bargain she got with a coupon.  Sometimes I know I'm just rambling and not even making sense or possibly even words any more.  I am so grateful that I have a few people in my life that listen anyway, even if I'm just spewing words.

17.  Books you can relate to
I just finished Mitten Strings for God.  It's about being a busy mom, and several times in the book, I wanted to contact the author to find out how she crawled inside my head to know what I needed to read.  I loved that book almost as much as An Altar in the World, which also made me want to shout, "That's what I think, too!"

18.  Wind chimes
We live in a very quiet neighborhood.  Right now the only sound I hear is the wind blowing the wind chimes next door.

19.  My husband
Since my granddad has been in the hospital, my favorite husband has been picking up the slack for me.  He answers the phone and completes chores when I'm resting.  He eats frozen pizza twice in a week.  He helps get the kids to bed.  Right now he's wrapping up 24 hours of taking care of the kids by himself.  I love that man!

20.  Knowing how blessed I am
Several times in the last two weeks I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for something.  I have received a set of gift books from a family who are all unemployed.  The church custodian gave me a Halloween lapel pin this morning.  I've had offers of babysitting from the extremely pregnant and a lady with excruciating back pain.  I've had unexpected hugs from friends.  My children and husband have all been supportive and understanding in this ordeal with my family.  Every day I know I am loved and every day I am grateful.