In the past two months, four of our friends called us to share their diagnoses of late-stage cancer. One passed early in her treatment.
Another passed this week. One is undergoing debilitating chemo that has stolen
his energy and his body fat, but he's gritty and determined. Their suffering
has been a reminder that our time is limited. We need to be
grateful for each moment, especially the ones that lend a lift to our step, plant
a smile on our lips and make evident the angels that walk among us.
I had a day like that yesterday—one to balance out the pencilled dates in my calendar for doctors appointment, septic tank clean-outs, juice fasts and trash days. Not that I hadn't planted seeds. It's just
that the whole field sprouted on the same day. I want to give a sincere "thank
you" to the Power That Be. A writer walks a tight rope between
enthusiastic marketing and crowing, and sometimes we miss the nuances, as my
dear sister might point out to me under the influence of too much wine.
The important thing is to recognize the day. It's the first step
in seizing it. Recog Diem!
Gratitude begets blessings. That's why writers
have adventures that end up in their books. I know mine do. In fact, my boomer memoir is devoted to recognizing the red-letter days in a
woman’s life of small steps. For me, living in a state of gratitude became a habit.
Yesterday, an email from a publishing house started
a chain of events that will occupy me for two years. A bookstore contacted me about
an event in early September. I volleyed ideas with an editor over a novella that
will be released next year. Granddaughters want me to go to San Francisco with
them to see a play. My husband took me to Red Robin for $6.99 burgers and
salads. We drove home the long way, through the dark woods, listening to the Garth Brooks Channel on Sirius and talking about things close
to our heart.
A Red Letter Day.
I'd love to hear about your RLD's. What can you teach us about gratitude?
