Milkshakes

Today I am grateful for milkshakes, especially if they are shared with your child!

Milkshakes are always good, but when you enjoy them while enjoying the company and conversation of your child, they are even better.

Always make and take time to spend quality moments with your family members as these are the memories that will last a lifetime.

18. Faith

I stumbled upon a post on Facebook about a woman who supposedly was able to predict things that did happen. Her prediction for the next decades are scary.
I have to admit that, for a moment, I worried. Then...

.... Then I remembered that Heavenly Father is in charge and if I trust in Him, all will be well. I am not promised physical protection from all the evil in the world or anything else that might happen, for that matter. However, what I have been promised is that if I stay close to Him and His Son, Jesus the Christ, and if I follow their example, I will gain eternal life.

I will walk by faith, taking it one day at the time, and doing the best that I can to follow Their lead.

I am grateful for the faith I have been able to develop and count on to help me through the day. It is still a small seed, but it grows with each step I take on the path back home.

17. Midnight

Midnight is a totally black cat. He looks more like a kitten of possibly about 6 months.

He is very sweet and my son found him. Now, you have to know that if I had brought home another cat, he would have been upset because... well, we already have four! But because he found him, he has decided he is going to keep him.

I am grateful for this kitten because he brings even more joy to our pet filled home.

16. Warm Afternoon

The day started out with a chill in the air.

It was nothing out of the ordinary; after all, it is December and, in the Northern Hemisphere, it means two weeks to Winter.

However, starting early afternoon it felt great basking under the sun.
I almost felt like taking off my coat and just stand there, taking in all the warmth the sun was freely giving.

Today, I felt grateful for that sunshine that had escaped us last week.

15. Garage Sales

Although little money is to be made when selling during a garage sale, at least for the things I would sell, I am grateful that we have the opportunity to have them and to sell those items we no longer need.

It is also fun to browse and see what others have to sell. There are times that interesting things can be found. Indeed, someones trash can be someone else's treasure!

14. Fridays

I am grateful for Fridays for it means that I am off for the weekend.
I am grateful I have jobs that allow me to have days off.

There are plenty of people out there that do not have a job or have to work several part time jobs with no time off between shifts.
There are people who care for special needs children or adults and never have any time to do anything at all, much less rest.

I truly am blessed to be where I am and to have what I have.
Sometimes, it is the things we take for granted we should recognize and appreciate the most.

13. Good Deeds

In the words of a song, "...Now we have a world were people are confused, if you don't believe me go and watch the news..." (Follow the Prophet, LDS Primary Song); because of that, I am extremely grateful when I hear of people or see people who perform one act or more of service.

I look for these good deeds every day. They lift my spirit. They give me hope. They inspire me to follow suit. I don't look for them in the paper or the news, necessarily. I look for them as I am around and about at work, at the store, at church, or just walking down the street. I look for those acts that might go unnoticed by other people. Sometimes, these acts are recorded by a passerby who then posts them on a social media channel and so these act that started "in secret" become nationally known. Those acts are great as well, but it is the small acts of service that truly make me smile and restore my hope in humanity.

We need more and more people to do good in the world to counteract all the negative influences and acts perpetrated by those who have lost their soul to greed, envy, malice, and just plain evil.

Will you commit to do random acts of kindness? Someone on Facebook started the Random Acts of Christmas. Their goal is to have people post everyday about something good they did for someone else. I can see their purpose by making it public. So, choose your way to the daily acts of service. Go forward and perform those good deeds to make someone's day better. Give hope! Give love! And in return, you will lift your spirit, you will renew your joy, you will feel better about the world.

We can make the world a better place, one random act of service at the time.

12. Roses

Today, at the lunch table, there was a large clear vase with some very beautiful red roses.

We don't know where they came from and the reason behind them, but I am grateful for the willingness of the recipient to share their stunning red color, their velveteen petals, and their flawless shapes with the rest of the employees.

Those roses put a smile on my face and made me feel happy.
To whomever shared those beautiful red roses with us I say a big thank you!

11. Another Day

It may sound quite ordinary to get up, go to work, come home, do chores, eat dinner, go to bed.

It may sound like a day not quite worth mentioning.

However, when we stop and think that today someone, somewhere, did not wake up or did not make it home from work or school, this ordinary day suddenly changes into an extraordinary day.

I am grateful for another day. No! I am grateful for an extraordinary day. I woke up and went about the day; at the end, I was able to return home.

Another Day! Another chance to tell my family members I love them.

Never take for granted another day. Make every moment count. Be grateful for another day!