
Mimi sez:
“Sometimes life hands you pomegranates. You get wiser. Sometimes life hands you that icky lemonade. You get stickier. Sometimes life hands you a boatload of people who either enhance your journey in lovely ways or rock the boat off course just for the hell of it. You get an oar and row in your own direction. It happens to all of us. Either way, there’s gratitude to be found if you’re willing to look. Sometimes the conflicts are indeed blessings in disguise – you just don’t know it yet. Sometimes the storm IS the thing you will one day bless while you wait for calmer seas.
Maybe not today, but someday. // So find some patience and hang on. // We all have something to be grateful for one way or another.”
1. What are you most grateful for when you first wake up in the morning?
I am thankful that I will never need an alarm clock so long as my two kitty cats are around. They take care to wake me up early enough so that I have time to lie there and pretend I don’t have to go to work that day.
2. What are you most grateful for when you go to bed at night?
I am thankful for the lessons of the day, trusting that I got whatever was put in front of me and knowing that if I didn’t and it was important, I’ll see that lesson again soon.
3. Who is the person who has had the most influence on your life?
I think I’d have to say my dad. My relationship with him seemed to influence my taste in men later on in life (funny, intelligent and snarky) but I think his biggest influence on me was his liberal perspective. I’d go so far as to call my dad a huge “bleeding heart” liberal. He’d get into such heated discussions with my uncle (were he alive today, said uncle would undoubtedly be heading up a teaparty/klan rally somewhere) that we were sure it would come to blows. Uncle used to tell my dad if he didn’t stop talking, he’d throw him (and his wheelchair) down the basement steps. (I think he was just kidding but who knows, right?)
4. Is there someone you’d like to thank for something special they did for you but haven’t yet? Take the time to do it in this meme.
I want to thank the Pirate Doggie of Love because I know she came here for a reason (other than to chomp on Max’s head) and while I don’t know what it is at the moment, I just know that it was purposeful. I send her lots of love and hugs through the ether.
5. Who was your favorite or least favorite teacher? If you could talk to them now, what would you say?
I took advanced placement English in college but diddled around and got a D in it. (Can you imagine? ME?) I was relegated to the remedial English comp class and the teacher was this little dynamo who was very skilled in helping students learn the basics of composition. I can’t even remember her name but I do remember that much of my writing abilities can be attributed to this nice woman. And so, I say THANK YOU. This blog wouldn’t be the same high quality it is today (HA!) were it not for her.
6. Do you say grace at mealtime?
I never really have. Same as with going to church, I always felt that I could talk to God/Universe/Spirit whenever I wanted and didn’t need a specified time. But I agree that it’s probably a nice ritualistic thing to do.
7. Name one thing you take for granted everyday.
That my car starts and I get to work close to the time I am supposed to be there!
8. Have you ever looked back at your life and realized that something you thought was a bad thing was actually a blessing in disguise?
Like many who answer this question, I can say yes. Relationships and jobs are where this shows up most for me. This song by Garth Brooks fits.
Unanswered Prayers / Garth Brooks
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
9. What are the top five things you are most grateful for in your life?
1. My health which is quite good, all considered. (More on this shall be discussed in another post. Visit with the dentist today indicates I did not win big in the healthy teeth lottery.)
2. My life: I have a nice home, loving family, friends and pets, money in the bank and the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it. (Or not!)
3. The skills I have as an empath and intuitive – wouldn’t be who I am today without them.
4. David Cook (what? Shut up. I love him.) I’ve met some great people in Cooklandia and had lots of fun. Along with LOLcats, DC is my happy place.
5. My new laptop – fast, shiny and cool. Now if only I could figure out how to keep my fingers on the keyboard so my thumb doesn’t hit the mousepad and inadvertantly wipe out everything I’ve just written. That is quite a tragedy when you’re writing a damn long post, kids. Lemme tell ya!
** Here’s a shoutout to my buddy Charlie Jubb with whom I have been reunited (thanks to Facebook!). He told me my blog was “well written and interesting” – clearly
he’s hallucinating but I will take the compliment just the same. We were bestest buddies in college and beyond and I was so happy to see him appear on Facebook.
(Waves to CJ!)