I don’t write down daily on FB or Twitter a Gratitude post like my author friend Kathryn Jane does. Oh, I have good intentions and write for a couple of weeks, then I fall away. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful daily for all my amazing blessings. Tuesday’s celebration of the US Independence Day brought home the need to express that gratitude and to offer you an opportunity to express your gratitude.
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Last Thursday, I shared parts of the Declaration of Independence. After writing that post, I decided it would be a good idea to read parts to the gathering of family friends who came to our Lakehouse. I told my husband about the idea and he emailed me an article about a lawyer who read every year the whole document including the names of the signers on the courthouse steps every year. I took Bob’s email to mean he thought we should read the whole thing. And so we did. I cut apart a print out and gave everyone (except the kids) a section of this great document to read.
- Statue of Liberty 1871-1886 New York, New York, USA
All of this is to say how grateful I am to live in this great, though flawed, country. And grateful for the brilliant men who dreamed it all up and set it in motion in such a thrilling way. If you haven’t read the whole Declaration of Independence in a while. I encourage you to do so.
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Our Lakehouse. Okay it’s the dead of summer in Texas and I try to spend as little time outside as possible because I have a gene from my father that causes my head to sweat profusely. It’s just not fun to have my hair get sopping wet with the heat. So I’m grateful for our air conditioning that allows me to enjoy our Lakehouse at all times of the year. Many people went outside during out gathering on the 4th. I had been outside earlier in the day getting ready, so I didn’t go out. But it was nice to see others enjoying our space.
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Our two daughters are awesome women with gifts, talents and skills they generously share with others. They’ve brought wonderful men into our lives and together they’ve produced incredible children. (I know. I know. What else would you expect to hear from a “Mimi.”) However, they are a constant delight.
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My parents who sent me to college. Everyone doesn’t need to go to college, but everyone needs some education after high school. I’d argue that education is the main key to unlock the door to all kinds of opportunities and a better life.
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My contractor James McDaniel and the awesome work he and his team have done on our Lakehouse and are doing on the garage and our retaining wall, which will be the subject of its own blog post.
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Like my parents sending me to college, marrying Bob 40 some years ago was life changing, and I’m grateful for his constant love and support which allows me today to be a writer.
Camden Maine on our 40th Anniversary. -
And my health. At this time last year I got around in a wheel chair, still putting no pressure on my right foot and not driving. Thank you, God, that today I walk on two feet.
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Friends. When you have your health, your fmily, and good friends, and a purpose in life, you have everything.
What about you. What are you grateful for? Did you have a wonderful 4th of July celebration?
Book Update:
*You may have seen my FB post stating I’d sent off ACT OF BETRAYAL to my editor. Hoping for a September release.
*VERMONT ESCAPE & TRUTH BE TOLD will be on sale for 99 Cents July 18-20 to celebrate the birthday of the release of VE 4 years ago.
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Marsha R. West, Author 
What lovely and thoughtful blog post. Yes, you have much to be thankful for. It’s good you acknowledge it. So many of us don’t take the time to realize our blessings and to thank the people in our lives who make a difference in enriching life. Love your photos of family and lake views.
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Hey, JQ. Maybe it’s age making me more conscious of my blessings. I haven’t exactly slowed down, but compared to my younger years when the girls were home, I don’t do as much. Maybe I needed the time to take note of my many blessings. At any rate, I am very grateful. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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Marsha, I loved that you read the Declaration of Independence. 🙂 We also had a wonderful Fourth of July. It wasn’t our usual July 4th, but it was delightful and my son worked so hard and was the perfect host. He got to the park at 5:30 a.m. to claim the perfect spot.
I also wrote a gratitude journal for years. My top three things things I am thankful for are:
1) I am incredibly blessed to have a loyal, loving, and sweet husband. And I’m happy that we have many of the same interests. And he’s a great baker. 🙂
2) We have two incredible sons. They have kind hearts and are loving and sweet. They look out for those who are disadvantaged. I am so proud of their integrity. We couldn’t have asked for better kids.
3) I’m thankful for our adorable grandson. He’s a powerhouse of energy. I hope he has a great life.
Of course there are many other reasons to be thankful: my health, my friends, security, safety, my interests, comfort, etc.
Another great post, Marsha! 🙂
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Hey, Susan. You, too, have many blessings for which to be thankful. I do love that your Bill is a baker. However, I’m grateful Bob isn’t. I’m afraid, I’d have trouble getting through a door if yummy baked goods were around all the time. LOL Isn’t it great when our kids choose to have good values?! Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
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What a lovely post, Marsha. I think it’s wonderful that you have a day to reflect on all the good things about your country. And it’s great to take time out to think of all the things we have to be grateful for. Even something as simple as air conditioning. I’m lucky to live in a place where we don’t need it, but I think if I lived in Texas my Irish genes would find the heat very difficult without a/c. I once ruptured my Achilles tendon and like you it’s made me immensely grateful that I can just walk wherever I like. Something I took for granted before.
Thanks for making me dwell on reasons to be grateful!
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Hey, Helena. Yes, I’d physically be happier someplace where the heat and humidity were off the charts, but this is where I am and my kids are here, so I won’t be leaving, despite my yearnings for a place in Maine on the water. But I have this gorgeous place on a small lake in Texas. No need to be greedy. I have a bit of Scots/Irish on my mother’s side, Helena, and my fair skin doesn’t take kindly to the sun. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. 🙂
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A beautiful gratitude post, Marsha!
I am grateful for this lovely cool summer morning thanks to the ocean air we get just a taste of from a few miles away, and for our healthcare system which has lots of bumps and waiting time, but allows the hubby to see a very special specialist today without it costing us a single penny.
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Hey, Kathryn. You’re such an inspiration both in your life and in your writing. You may have the best thing to be grateful for–good, affordable health care. Hope all goes well with your husband. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. 🙂
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With what Handsome has gone through this year, every day we see someone or read or hear about something and say it could be worse. Good health is a precious gift.
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Hey, Vicki. I agree. I’m so happy for you and Handsome that he’s making such great progress. Been a long haul, but y’all can make it. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. 🙂
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