Maple at Ponca near Lost Valley Store
"GRATITUDE is the key to happiness." C. S. Lewis
This quote is written on the first page of a little book I picked up while shopping in Harrison recently. It was entitled "1001 Things To Be Thankful For" (Hallmark) Being a former librarian I really can 'judge a book by its cover'! And, no, it wasn't the picture of the cute little boy (he just happened to look like Jack Henry!) gazing lovingly at the huge ice cream cone in his chubby little hands.
The book is a list of mostly little things that make life worthwhile. I read them all at once and am now repeating a few pages each day leading up to Thanksgiving Day. I am also compiling my own list. I add a few every once in a while, and hope to eventually get my own "1001 Things I Am Thankful For." It is pure therapy to mentally drift off for a minute now and then while working and add to the list in my head. Later, I can sit down and write it in my journal.
The book's list is in no particular order and is sprinkled with quotes and pictures. Some of the things are obvious--the first daffodils of spring and friends who believe in you. Some, I wouldn't think of--tire swings, a great hair day, sports mascots,or free cell phone minutes.
Here are some 'graditudes' on my list:
The many flavors of hot tea, windows with a view, birthday cards, retirement, a great radio station (KESA in Eureka Springs), new china, or old china, twinkle lights anytime of the year, old bicycles, did I say "retirement"?, wrap around porches, cabin guests who leave as friends, raspberries in the backyard, rocks of all shapes and sizes, cousins, old farmhouses, old stores revived as antique shops (I have several favorites!), photos of family on the fridge, lunch in town in the middle of the week with my husband, walkie talkies, old-fashioned bath tubs, peanut butter, women's Bible Study ...
My list is at 80 and growing. I plan to get to 1001 by Thanksgiving!
By the way, the photo above is one thing I am thankful for. I watch this tree in Ponca each year and marvel at its beauty. This time I was able to capture it before the rains and winds took away its leaves.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening.
Psalm 92-1-2
