A Spring of Joy

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

And so my list continues with…

You. I am grateful for the prayers and friendships He has given me.

God’s provision and protection. So often I don’t even realize it’s there.

No chemo!

Licking beaters and chocolate-covered cheeks.

Tall, tall trees.

Little ones curling up on my lap. “I’m going to make you feel all better, Mommy.”

Laughing with my nephews. Watching them grow into men. Where did the time go?

Celebrations!

Candle scents and fascinations.

Leaping in leaves… lots and lots and lots of leaves.

Sunshine filling my home with warmth on chilly days.

Coffee mugs, journals, candles and soaps… a gift basket to cheer me.

Pretty scarves. (They hide my incision, but soon I will proudly show off my battle scar!)

Sitting with my parents and talking long into the night.

Reindeer.

Little lips lisping Christmas carols and truly rejoicing in Jesus as the reason.

Growth. My Ash encouraging me with words of a child.

Pictures that capture the places I cannot be.

Flashlight microphones.

Baking Christmas goodies with Grandma!

Reading with my children.

Poetry.

Daddy’s love making boo-boo’s all better.

Imaginations running wild throughout the day.

Decorating the tree. Making memories. Watching Bella grasp the wonder of it all.

The peace. The promise. The wonder. The joy. Christ is born.

Italian food.

Making Thanksgiving and Christmas memories.

Lemon Cheese Braids filling my home with fresh scents. (Thanks to my mom who mixed and kneaded in my weakness.)

God WITH us!