Blessings

     Blessings come in all sizes and shapes. Sometimes we don't recognize the blessings that God sends our way as necessarily being blessings but they still are. I guess it is all in what you take for granted and what you cherish. Sometimes you need to step aside and let it register that this is a blessing you are being given.
     For example, I had to go to Shelburne today to pick up three Nancy Drew books I had ordered for Alannah from the Whirligig second hand book store. (I'm trying to finish the series for her). Mom, who is on warfarin has to have her blood tested every two weeks and had to be in Shelburne this morning too. So we had agreed to meet at Frenchy's at 11:00. Well 11:00 came and went because the line up for blood work was so long. At 11:20 we called Dad on the cell phone and he invited us to the Scotia Lunch for lunch, his treat.
    You might be thinking that the blessing was the lunch in a restaurant and yes it was a blessing but I think the real blessing was having the time with Mom and Dad. All three of our kids were able to come with us and the seven of us sat around a table and laughed and talked and enjoyed each others company. Family, that is the blessing.
      My Dad had a heart attack 6 yrs ago and within the same month my Mom was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. I am blessed that I still have my Mom and Dad.
      On the day before my wedding 25 yrs ago, my pastor's wife told me to mentally step aside from time to time on my wedding day and stash those memories in my heart and mind so that I would always remember them. I did that. I was conscious of what was going on and I have lovely memories to look back on and cherish.
      Since that day I have used her advice from time to time and have consciously separated myself from what was going on around me and looked at the situation as an outsider would. I have learned to watch for the blessings the Lord sends my way and to always have an 'attitude of gratitude' about the life He has blessed me with. He has been so good to me. He has showered me with blessings from small to great, they are all gifts from Him.