Peace of Mind

Last night, I was honored to lead a group of wonderful women in an activity to celebrate the Winter Solstice ... over a month late, due to snow and ice in December. I am grateful to know each of the women in this group -- some of whom have been meeting periodically for about 14 years! For the time and space to give thanks for the increasing light that makes winter tolerable -- and for good food, good friends, and good conversation ... I am grateful.

Yesterday afternoon, I also had the opportunity to lead a group of young college students in a session to familiarize them with a technology I use everyday at work, and for which they play a key role in the support of students on our campus. There is an energy in interacting with these young people, and a playfulness that is infectious. For all of that, I am grateful.

My friend Rosemary and I had a lovely time in Kohler on Monday. I saw so many interesting things we could do to our house (if we had the time, energy, money, and patience). I know it sounds silly, and I know I'll never spend almost $4k for one like it, but it makes me feel good to know that someone in the world has invented a toilet that has clean lines like this, and would be so easy to keep clean, too.



I'm grateful to be surrounded by beauty everywhere I look.

And, finally, today, I am grateful for the quiet, calm, casual, comfortable, fairly boring life I am blessed to lead. I'm grateful, too, for the peace of mind of having made a decision about whether to disrupt that peaceful lifestyle ... it's a relief just not to be waffling back and forth anymore, wondering whether this or that is "THE right thing" to do. (http://holdingthequestion.blogspot.com/2009/01/holding-our-ground.html)

Winter Sun, Getting Things Done

I have amazing miracles in my kitchen! One is this gorgeous "Christmas" cactus that John bought for me last year. It's been hanging over the sink, pretty much gasping for water most of the time. John took it down a couple of times and soaked it in the sink ... and recently noticed BUDS! Now it's in bloom. Look how beautiful!



The afternoon sun was so warm and delicious when I got home (early). I love sunshine ... even winter sunshine. And I love light and shadows. And I love that I get to capture them to enjoy long after their short, ephemeral presence is over.



Last night, I spent two hours applying for a Federal PLUS Loan for Parents. I'm grateful I overcame the challenges in the website and Sallie Mae personnel, to complete the process (including the correction of the amount we're applying for!). I'm grateful for the one person out of four I spoke to who seemed to be a thinking human being instead of a living answering machine. And I'm grateful it's done!

Mack greeted me this afternoon very insistently. I couldn't stay home and cuddle him (that's him in the picture with the computer), but he persisted ... climbing onto the kitchen table and into my arms despite my protests. I snuggled a minute, and wondered out loud if he was trying to tell me something ... checked the food dishes downstairs and discovered they were completely empty. He's such a clever kitty!

Finally, I'm grateful for the progress on the work necessary to make Summer Assembly 2009 happen. We're very close to being on target with our project dates, we've got a GREAT leader, and although there's still plenty of work ahead, it's nice to feel confident instead of frantic. :-)

Peace

1. I'm grateful for another sunny day, and the time and space to enjoy it just the way I like -- quietly, in my own home, with kitties. And loudly, on a playground, with a 3-year-old who calls me Grandma.

2. I'm grateful for a few minutes when Amy is taking the 3-year-old back to the playground, so I have a moment to be online, and John has a few moments to nap. 3-year-olds and playgrounds can be tiring for Grampas, too.

3. Peace. The world may be at war, by my little corner is filled with sunshine and love today, and I am immensely grateful for the grace that allows this miracle.