So long since I wrote to you, my blog readers. I could list the reasons why, but I think it's better to merely say, "I'm sorry." I do know I'll be more regular after I graduate at March's end from my MFA program in Creative Writing. The requirements - reading a book a week and writing a reflection on it, plus writing short stories and revising them, consumes much of my creative energy.
Writing this now is inspired by my husbands blog. He made an on-line list of what he is thankful for. And, since I asked my students of English to also list what they are thankful for, I'd better do that too!
- for how much joy our whole family takes in our "Poppy" (a minature poodle we adopted from the local Human Society). That joy is emarkable given that initially she was called "not a real dog" by two family members, who pined for a large dog.
- that I've recovered well from mono (diagnosed in February), without needing to take iron supplements--something to be thankful for since the previous year I also had mono and at that time had anemia also and the iron I was required to take set off lots of gastric reflux.
- the joy I've been having in singing again--both with helping to lead worship once at our church's mother's group and in singing in a women's community chorus, Clef Hangers. Soon we'll start singing a string of holiday concerts at various senior citizen's centers
- how greatly my writing has improved. I'm receiving very enthusiastic comments from my mentor
- that my prof-mentor told me that the first draft of my thirty-page essay was, "Fabulous"
- for a wonderful celebration of my daughter's wedding and our 25th anniversary this summer
- that my shoulder is getting better and I rarely have tendonitis in my arms these days
- for how much I enjoy the ESL tutoring work I do. It's amazing to have a job where I both feel useful, cared about (by my tutees) and earn money!
- how God has healed many deep inner wounds so that I'm not so overly-sensitive and anxious as previously
- for how much delight and closeness I'm experiencing in my marriage and how well we're working togther to get the work in the household done
- for the joy and privilege of working on the leadership team for the Women's Spiritual Mentoring Ministry
- for a good friend only five houses down the street - someone who brings me fruit and I give her soup!
- that I'm recovering from colds easier, with less asthma or sinus infections incurring
- for how God has been giving me the ability to try again in friendships, rather than to feel hurt and unwanted and to, without even knowing I was doing it, withdrawing when I do not get the response I want
- for how we have good conversations with both our daughters, although they live quite a distance away
- for a warm house and lovely kitchen with warm tile floors!
For this and more, I give thee thanks, Oh Lord.
Comments