I Don't Know What to Say
Sometimes, when I finally get a peaceful moment in the day,
I try to count my blessings
But I don't always know just what to say.
There are days when it seems there is nothing good.
Then, I remember all the things that are good in this life,
And I say, "Thank you."
Thank you for . . .
The smell of my Daddy's cologne
Juicy oranges off the tree
The sound of birds singing in the spring
Photo albums
Dirt
Words
Plumbing
The sun
A second cup of coffee before going to work
And the way he looks at me
Thank you for . . .
A mom that I can call my best friend
Roly-poly bugs in the garden
Cool breezes on hot summer evenings
Laughter
The way sand slips from under my feet when I wade in the ocean
Poetry
Swimming pools
The heavenly bodies that twinkle in the night sky
Food in the refrigerator
And the smell of his skin
Thank you for . . .
Hugs and kisses from little bed warmed bodies wrapped in jammies
The feel of rose petals
The color of leaves in the fall
Weekends
Ice-cold glasses of water
Music
Toilet paper
Weather
Fluffy pillows on the bed
And the feel of his arms around me
Thank you for . . .
Friends who love me no matter what
Big, round tomatoes on the vine that spit when I bite into them
Hot chocolate on cold winter mornings
Sleeping in on Saturday mornings
Air
Art
Happy Meals to go
The smell of rain
Snuggle time and story time
And the taste of his lips
Thank you for . . .
Cousins that are closer than siblings
The hum of bees in the trees
Teachers who smile
Singing songs in the car on the way to school
Democracy
Diversity
Cars
Golden sunsets
Wisdom
And hearing him say, "I love you."
Thank you for . . .
The sound of Grandma's voice when I answer the phone
First kisses
Wildflowers
Playing together
Mountains
Beauty
Streets
Stories
Knowledge
And the freedom to be me
Thank you for . . .
Aunts and uncles that know how rotten I was growing up but still love me
Sexy little black dresses
The thrill of seeing a bird take its first flight
Birthday cards that come in the mail
Grass
Colors
Electricity
Frog and cricket choruses that sing me to sleep
Vacations
And being chosen by the right one
Thank you for . . .
Hearing my children say, "Mom!"
Long walks
Girl time
Rocks
A sunrise peeking over the rim of the mountains
Spell check
The glory of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon
The smell of cookies baking
And the gift of his time
Thank you for . . .
Memories of Grandpa
Christmas time
Pets who say, "I love you," with their eyes
Employment
Life
The peace of darkness when I'm tucked into bed
Seeing a baby take its first steps
Dr. Seuss
And the sacrifices he makes just to be with me
Thank you for . . .
Shopping with my daughter
Getting up early to take a trip
Winning a game of Balderdash
The way the house looks right after it's cleaned
Crisp, white cotton shirts
Dylan Thomas
Compassion
And being a part of his life
Thank you for . . .
Playing ball with my son in the front yard
The fact that my teenage years are over
Being first in line at the grocery store
Stay-at-home days
Soap and toothpaste
First day of school clothes
The end of PMS
And the opportunity to know him
Thank you for . . .
Family and home
Banana splits, grilled cheese sandwiches, chocolate, and Starbucks
Things that grow
Fun
An earth that spins on its axis and the sky above
Creativity and conveniences
Books
And being in love.