it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

it's a great day.
thank you.

phone calls from kids,
flowers from kids,
lunch with good friends,
many birthday greetings via card, email, facebook.

i am a blessed woman. 

i know earlier this week i mentioned 
not feeling like celebrating.
perhaps some people might think i am
unhappy more often than i really am.
life is a gift. 
i know this.
and i live with the glass half full.
just once in awhile grief sneaks in
and slaps me in the back of the head.
not often, say every few weeks or so.
and that folks is just how it is.
it's normal, and to be expected.
this is what grieving is like.

95 % of the time i walk about
with my head held high
and my heart full of joy and thanksgiving.
i KNOW i am blessed.
amazingly. 
good hubby,
healthy productive children,
good home,
plenty of food.
all our needs and most of our wants.
loving family members,
great friends who will drop their agendas 
if needed to help others out. 
and those friends aren't just in my town.
they live scattered across the nation. 
wow!
all these gifts are possible because of 
Jesus.

i know this.
i am blessed. 

oh and there's also YOU.
see, i am blessed.