I Am Grateful for… Love

In the midst of my concern for my sister, who’s been ill, and all the other various challenges of life, I find myself paradoxically almost overwhelmed with gratitude. I find I want to write about what gives my life meaning, and fills me with joy. And of course, for me, as I is expect is true for most people, the first thing is love.

I’m grateful for the love I feel when I sleep at night in my husband’s arms, and when we’re curled up on the sofa watching television. I’m grateful for cooking dinner with him, or just sitting separately and yet together, each of us engaged in our own pursuits. After all these years, I am in awe of the gift of our relationship.

I’m so grateful for my daughter, my sons and my nieces, all of them now adults. It means so much to me to be able to hug them and spend time with them, to share their joys and their worries, to feel their love and respect and know that we are always part of each others’ lives. I’m grateful for giggling with my grandchildren, playing in the pool and going on outings. My sisters and brothers mean so much to me; we share a history that only we can know. Their families enlarge the circle of love.

I have such wonderful friendships. I really don’t know how I got so lucky. Many of my friends have been around for decades, and others I’ve met more recently. I am so grateful for being able to talk and laugh and spend time with them, and to give and receive support as we go through life.

From the time I was young, I’ve always felt I wanted to live a “big” life, full of experiences and adventures. I’ve had some of that, and I anticipate more. I feel connected in the world to so many people I will never personally meet, and I value that. But always at the center of everything is my domestic life, and the very personal love that fills my heart to overflowing.