A “Gratitude Moment:” The Letter

I checked on Dawn and the girls.  Dawn was sleeping.  And Eliana and Ariela were sprawled across our bed fast asleep.  We let them stay up a little later than usual (sometimes we let them fall asleep on our bed, and then I carry them upstairs to their rooms).

As I was heading from our bedroom to the kitchen, I stopped in the foyer to look at two pieces of mail that were opened and sitting on a shelf.  I reached for the one on top.  It was a letter.  It was addressed to Dawn.  I read the first two lines.

“Thank you for your recent visit to our facility.  Your digital mammogram shows no evidence of cancer.”

I stopped.  I didn’t read the rest of the letter.  I just thought about what it could have said.  And then I thought about all the other letters that were opened today, and the letters that would be opened tomorrow.  Many thousands of women would be blessed with good news.  I also thought about all the women around the world who had received or will receive the news they fear most.

Then I had what I call a “gratitude moment.”

I stopped what I was doing and I headed to a window.  I looked outside and took in the big world.  And I said thank you.  Thank you for blessing the health of my wife, children, parents, and all of my family.  Thank you for caring for my friends and colleagues.  And I said thank you for everything that is good in my life.

I know letters and phone calls could come at any time with news I would never want to hear.  So, when I am reminded of the good in my life, I stop and say thank you.  I want to always appreciate the abundance in my life.

Would you join me this weekend on a special journey?

This weekend look for the reminders of the good in your life.  And when you find them, stop and say thanks.  You have much to celebrate in your life.

And let us all send our blessings to the people who opened a different letter.

Comments

[David J. Pollay]

Thank you Chris!

I appreciate your support very much!

And I send my hugs to you!

David

[Chris Alestra]

David,
Your words are a constant inspiration to everyone who reads them... I know! I pass along your blogs!!! God bless you and yours and may you continue to be a force allowing others to recognize how precious and gracious life can be!
Chris

[David J. Pollay]

Hi Lil,

Tamara’s post does make us all want to travel to Maine! And thanks to you too!

Best to you,

David

[David J. Pollay]

Hi Tamara,

I get excited just thinking about the great things you have in your life: How fun and beautiful they all are!

And I look forward to seeing your winter list too!

David

[David J. Pollay]

Thanks Ale for your beautiful post. I send my best to you and your family too!

Best to you,

David

[Lil]

I love Tamara's post; it reminds me of Maine when I was a child. I have gratitude for Tamara who has such a beautiful appreciation of Nature, and shares it with all of us. David, thanks for always helping us to become better human beings with your posts. You are a force of Nature! We all should be grateful for you. Lil

[Ale Baez]

Hey David!,

I really really like this post, sometimes is really easy forget about the blessings we received in life. I want to say thanks you to share with us this powerful thoughts and I wish for you and your family a bless and happy life =)

[Tamara]

David,
In Maine, summers are short as you know, and summer just arrived officially, 2 days ago. Here are some things I am thankful for: peep frogs, I hear them every night for hours. The sighting of the first loon of the summer and hearing their calls. Owls calling back and forth in the night. The stars, the sky is so big and bright on a clear night. The exact moment when I go from being grounded to bouyant in my kayak, no words can explain that feeling. Sitting outside at night with a pitfire and good company. Putting the top down on my convertible and cruising (a childhood dream). It is easy to overlook the gifts I have right outside my door. Thanks for the reminder. By the way, the list is probably much shorter in the winter...I'm sure I can find something. :)