The Attitude Of Gratitude

Tuesday, as I visited my friends at their blogs I was surprised, and tickled to note one of my newest friends had left me an award! A.Marie, at My Money Mission is a really nice gal who keeps a great blog! She's frugal, she's fun, she's full of life and, as the title of this post, and this award indicate, she possesses the true attitude of gratitude.



I am truly honored to accept this award from her, as well as to pass it on to a few folks who I feel are equally deserving.

First off SonyaAnn at A Mom Money And More
. SonyaAnn is just a fun gal. She, like A.Marie is frugal and fun. She does an incredible job of posting current events in her life interspersed with past life experiences. She has a great sense of humor, and somehow makes you shudder and laugh all at the same time.

My daughter, Kimmi at Musings Of A Pastry Case is another I'd like to pass this award on to. Kimmi has such a wonderful outlook on life. This is something she has possessed since she was a youngster, and I am so pleased to note she has held on to the Attitude of Gratitude throughout her life, in to her adult years. She meets the challenges life hands her, greets them and embraces them, manipulating them to suit her needs, and nearly always manages to turn them in to positive events. She amazes me, and makes so very proud!

Bev, at My Little Room is another amazing lady, who is more than deserving of this award! She has pushed her way through the haze the clouds of life have tossed her way, finding the sunny spots hiding within. She makes the most of the sunny times, jumping in, allowing it to pour over her, then reaching out and grabbing whatever more may be contained within. She's also incredibly talented both in the kitchen and with her knitting needles! I am so grateful I met her, and that we have stayed in touch, getting to know each other even better through time.

Marcia at HDMacs Crafty Blog And More is another good friend I've had the good fortune of knowing for quite awhile now. As with the others I've mentioned, she isn't willing to let lifes lower moments get her down. She simply shoos those clouds away, gathers her family about her, and soaks up all the warmth that magically appears from within that circle. The love and the resulting strength within that family are evident in her posts and the photos she shares. And her crafting ideas are really cool too!

Then there is Dorothy who authors a truly inspiring blog, Grammology. The first time I visited her blog I was torn between emotions. First, I felt sorrow at all she was going through. None of it seemed fair, or right. She was literally in the fight of and for her life. Her body had waged war against her, and the insurance company, with all it's political and financial greed seemed to be joining the fight against her. She wasn't about to just sit back and accept all that though. With all the cards seemingly set up against her, she rose up and she fought back. When she managed to win one battle, another rose up, and she fought against that foe. Over and over again she fought her battles. Over and over again, somehow, against all odds, she won. In doing so, not only did she reign victorious, regaining her health, but she made some big steps for the rest of us as well. Her story is as inspiring as they come, and I am truly blessed to count her as a friend.

As the rules of this award state, I am to pass this on to 10 people. However, seeing as that would be pretty much everyone I know in the blogging world, I am choosing to keep it to half that number. For to simply pass it out to everyone would somehow seem to cheapen it. There are others I feel are worthy, and it is my hope that they will be similarly awarded by those who pass it on, and that no one will feel left out. I am truly grateful to all my readers, followers, and especially those who take the time to leave comments!

Then there is another rule for this award that I really had to think about, for there is more than one person, more than one experience for which I can attribute my "attitude of gratitude."

After thinking about it awhile I realized it is life itself that has and continues to make me grateful. I was fortunate in that my life began in the late 50s, when life was simpler. Neighbors still visited over the fence. As children we were pretty much allowed the run of the neighborhood, and that neighborhood was extended to encompass most all of our town!

My family played a huge part in my ever developing view of life, as well as my friends. From my parents I learned about love and cheerful sacrifice for those you love. My Grandparents continued that theme, and added their wisdom, which is gained only through time and experience. My sister taught me patience ;-) and a special kind of love that only siblings can share. Then there were and are my own children, who have provided me with more joy than I ever thought possible. There are no words to describe the love, the joy, and yes, at times the pain that goes with parenthood.

My friends and acquaintances over the years have also helped shape my view of life. Even those I may have met oh so briefly, and those who may have been or become more negative have served to enrich my life. I have learned from them all and, in turn I am grateful for them all.

Growing up, we went to Church every Sunday, and I learned to appreciate all God's gifts, from the clouds floating by in the blue sky, to the trees, the flowers,the birds and the butterflies that greeted me each day. The sunshine, and yes, even the rain were reason to smile.

As I went through life, I realized, like the rain that must fall, to feed the plants, and provide water for our wild cohabitants as well as ourselves, and to cleanse the air, sometimes we need to shed a tear or two, to cleanse our souls,to learn from and to help us appreciate the joys of life more fully. Sometimes we need a storm to shake things up, rearrange our thoughts, and perhaps provide us with a slightly different view.

Over time, I've seen a more simple life, of the 50s and early 60s go through a lot of changes. Life is more complex now. There is a sense of loss for those simpler times. With that loss though comes some positive changes. We now know more about the world around us than ever would have seemed possible when I was a child. The dream of owning a computer is no longer a childish dream that would elicit chuckles from parents. We've made amazing strides in human rights. Life is good, and the future is bright, if only because we have hope. Hope in our children, and their children. For all that, and more, I am grateful.

Here are the rules of the Lemonade Award:

1.Put the logo on your blog or post
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude
3. Link to your nominees within your post
4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award
5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award
6. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude