Usually autumn is my favorite time of year. However this fall hasn't filled me with the usual awe. I don't know if it is because of things that have me down: my family's stress over my dad's stroke, the struggle to live on one income (while trying to remind myself that doing so is a choice), or the ongoing search for meaning without a job title to define me (I still stubbornly refuse to call myself a SAHM - which is a whole other blog post.) Or has this autumn been less appealing because we had such an amazing, sun-filled summer? Probably all of the above.
However, thanks to the Gratitude Challenge, I had a brief appreciation for autumn after I chose to focus on being grateful for the ability to see. As I moved through my day I saw hundreds of things that I felt grateful to see, but then I had the moment. Walking out of the library with CeCe in my arms, the wind blew and we were showered with leaves. It was one of those scenes that stops time. The sun peeked through the clouds and shone on us. In that golden warmth, leaves fell all around us -- yellow and orange and red. So beautiful. CeCe looked at me with her big blue eyes and she grinned her adorable smile. And I felt so, so grateful. For the ability to see well enough to get into my car and drive to the library. Because my sight allows me to read the books I picked up there. For eyes to see the gorgeous fall colors. But most of all, I am grateful that everyday I am able to see my children. What an amazing gift.
2 comments:
I love seeing the look of wonder and amazement on kids faces. JB is obsessed with the moon and stars right now and whenever he's out at night, he just keeps saying "moon" with a look of total awe on his face.
CeCe is such a busy bug - I rarely catch her staring at anything! But Jeepie has such a long attention span for things that catch his interest. Lately he is wild about picking up leaves. Seriously EVERY day he is amazed by the beautiful leaves AGAIN. So sweet.
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