Tumblewords

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Monday, September 17, 2007

Another Day, Another Gift


Not a polyanna ~ I'm more inclined to be a cynic and periodic grumbler ~ I've used this prompt for a gratitude thingy. In no particular order:

The quiet before the storm - without the storm
A bill with a lesser amount than expected
The first green shoot dislodges winter snow
The absolute delight of chocolate
Fragrance of peach pie baking in someone else's oven
Coming home to find the coffee pot turned off and the garage door shut
The first successful use of new software
A friendly and helpful clerk
A perfectly formed sentence on the first try
A word that says exactly what I mean
A visitor to share a cup of coffee and a splash of time
A swatch of color widens my eyes, enables a dream
A genuine laugh from anyone - anywhere - anytime
A conversation that opens my mind and leaves me wanting more
The Internet and blogs to provide thought sharing and information gathering

And, last but most, the gift of family and friends and those wonderful times when life continues - without major change. Two dances with the grim reaper and a daughter's success in outrunning breast cancer remind me that each day is a gift. I'm not grumbling!



Quick pen and ink sketch for bookmark

Tumblewords Near Year of Blog is available as an e-book at
Lulu Publishing

33 comments:

Steve said...

Some day i will write like this.

Rob Kistner said...

That was thought provoking... and touchingly personal! ;)

Beaman said...

Nicely written. On an unrelated subject, I must say, I do like your sketch! :)

Anonymous said...

I have to get used to this complete different theme. I will check your 'Near Year of Blog' at Lulu's.

Jo said...

Feeling really joyous right now. I loved these lines:

The first green shoot dislodges winter snow

A visitor to share a cup of coffee and a splash of time

Jo

Anonymous said...

I like the way you took this prompt.

Thanks for this gift of insight!

Gill said...

Thanks for the beautiful gift you have given us with this gratitude piece.
xo
Blue

Becca said...

A marvelous list of gratitudes :)

Thanks for sharing, and reminding me of all the ordinary gifts I so often take for granted.

Robin said...

Wonderfully personally and universal all at the same time. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.

Cherie said...

Perfect!

Anonymous said...

I'm reading your writing while staying home sick from work - a perfect combination. While I'm too busy feeling sorry for myself, you perfectly describe all the simple beauty in life. Thank you for sharing such wonderful insight.

paris parfait said...

It's often the simple things that matter most of all, isn't it? Thanks for this lovely ode to gratitude, for both big and small things.

Keith's Ramblings said...

What an excellent interpretation of the prompt - first entry too! I loved the sentiment you expressed and I felt immediately at home on your site.

Lucy R. E. said...

I once heard someone say "the best things in life aren't things"
You seem to understand :)

Lea said...

So many gifts! And so well said about what is important! And, a great turtle to slowly take it all in... Thank you Susan!

Anonymous said...

You? A cynic? No wonder I feel right at home here. It's just like the vehicle. ;)

Rose

xo

lissa said...

All things to be grateful for. Although I never written a perfectly form sentence on the first try.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully conceptualized and written. Love it!!!!!

Deb said...

Lovely post. I like your list: some pragmatic things that simplify life and beautiful gifts, too.

And I so appreciate the non-pollyanna gist of it. (Kind of reminded me, slightly, of a poem I wrote for NaPoWriMo--"Things I Won’t Admit to Liking, Even in Springtime".)

Mary Timme said...

These are a few of my favorite things...those words sang through my mind when I was reading this. Very nice.

SlyGly said...

Wonderful! Thanks for the smile!

Pauline said...

yep, yes, uh huh...nodding in complete agreement

awareness said...

a multi sensory piece.....the aroma of the peach pie floated right under my nose.

Our special gifts are the simple moments shared with family and friends, arent they?

thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment.

mks said...

Tumblewords - you commented on my writers island post and I wanted to reply but could not find a way so I will here -

It was funny that you should say "The best thing for me to stay in the here and now is to spend time with a child - a young one who hasn't learned much artifice."

I became a first time aunt on 8/9 (no kids of my own) and I am smitten with just sitting holding and staring at my new niece. She is away for two weeks (we live a mile apart normally) to visit with the other side of the family and my heart is so sad that I won't see her for that long!

The serenity in the purity and innocene of a newborn is amazing - especially when it is not your child and you can hand her back over when the serenity stops and the screaming starts!! LOL

Thanks for reading and commenting. You post remininded me of the power of gratuity adn yes the sweet fragrance of a peach pie in someone else's oven is fantastic!

wendy said...

Baking is not my gift...so peach pie under someone elses watch sounds yummy!!

Rae Trigg said...

A good reminder of things we should be grateful for ... I'm grateful, among other things, for my husband, for friends who have stuck by me, and for my in-laws.

Anonymous said...

Both sweet and touching it was a good use of the prompt - and I'm still thinking about the peach pie... :)

Lisa

Anonymous said...

'Peach pie baking in someone else's oven' - you have such a gift for words, thank you for sharing them with us -- and for reminding me to count my own blessings.

Clare said...

Hi Sue! I really love your "gratitude thingy"!! What a lovely list. And the phrase "a splash of time" is so cool -- really fun image. Yes, each day is a gift, and thank you so much for sharing your gift with us. Wonderful turtle, too!
:)

ren powell said...

I really like the peach pie in someone else's oven. Me, too.

Writing on Board said...

sweet. love this. art too. thank you sue.

Anonymous said...

A conversation that opens my mind and leaves me wanting more
The Internet and blogs to provide thought sharing and information gathering
-- among my favorite things too.
Along with that bill with the less than expected amount.
Take care,
Frances

patti said...

This awakened me to the ordinary everyday magic there is in the world.

I know this comment is so overdue, but I'm just catching up with last weeks prompt!