Simple Blessings

Sometimes I forget to count my blessings-even though I truly know that God is good and He has so blessed me. Tonight is not a momentous night, just a quiet night at home but for so many reasons I feel so fortunate tonight. The snow is piling up outside and you can hear the hush of winter as it settles over the coalfields. It was bitter cold last night so tonight in the 20s seems almost warm. I went out about 10 o’clock and filled my donkeys tub up with warm water. They came out from their little barn to greet me. Long ears, soft eyes, and little mule nudges to tell me they were glad I was there. Freeway, our dog was close on my heels. She gets around amazingly well even though she is blind. Me and my old comrade Marg rescued her one murky night hit on the freeway (hence her name), we scooted her upon a pillow from my faithful friend’s car and after a long trip to the vets- where we learned she was blind, anemic, and oh so sweet - she came home to Goosecreek to live. Here we accept the hurting, the wounded and the less than perfect. But alas I digress.

Tonight I trudged up the steps into a warm house –thanks to the kerosene heater that my Chris has lit in the living room, and settled down with the cats in the living room. Apache-better known as ‘Big Boy’- was stretched out at our feet. The underside of his belly showed the beautiful spots of his bobcat pelt. His huge paw moves possessively toward Chris’ foot, letting me know that this is his master and for me to back off. I comply. I take time to open the mail and I have received a card from my friend Virgie, who came stupendously through brain surgery last week. She has sent me a card-although it was her that had the surgery. No wonder I love her so. I am blessed.

I talked to both my boys tonight. They are such good people. Considerate and kind. They are indeed the people I prayed they would turn out to be. I also spoke with friends Marg and Angie, lifelong friends, true blue, faithful and giving. Margie-quietly going about doing good, an example to all that know her. Angie with such wisdom for such a young age. God has great plans for that one.
I also checked Sunny’s blog and I am constantly astounded at the lives she touches. I look at the map on the perimeter of her blog that shows where the people are that are checking in, literally the sites cover the world. “Go ye into all the world” is truly her mantra. She lives such an amazing life, she is an amazing person.

So tonight I sit in my little house. It is not fancy, it is however home. A wide front porch welcomes friends to gather and pets to stretch out, The living room holds my memories. No home interior on these walls. There is tombstone rubbings from a Prague Jewish cemetery framed upon the walls, A toll booth sign that hung on the Nolan Toll Bridge in the 60s is adjacent to them. Photos of loved ones line a wooden shelf where a lithograph of husband Chris is above it. Hand painted border courtesy of friend Tosha intertwines vines and Bible verses along the top of the wall. An indoor pond, now minus the fish thanks to Big Boy, sits in the corner. A 6 foot wooden Indian –which I have always dreamed of having since my Mamaw sung Kaligea to me as a child-stands guard. A wrap around couch welcomes guests. Two huge wooden beams run the breath of the room, plenty of room for frisky cats to scamper across. My marble collection stands in jars and bottles to catch the kaleidoscope of light from the two French doors, bringing the outside in. I am happy. A spiral staircase leads upstairs to the cats’ playroom. My house is old, the bathroom has mended places in the linoleum and a burgundy ceiling. Tons of rubber ducks sit on every surface in an array of hues. My granddaughter Laurel loves rubber ducks so rubber ducks it is. 8 x 10 photos of her in a tin wash tub with her rubber duck line the walls. And 8 x 10 photos of Tate and Bryan are there also. I am waiting on some photos of my Wils to add to these. My bedroom is small but my new bed is HUGE! I love it. King size pillow top. We haven’t had a new bed in 25 years. Books literally cover every surface in the room, Hey I AM now a college professor, I teach English!!! I love it, love it , love It!!! I drag in everything but the kitchen sink to accentuate my stories. To Kill A Mockingbird is currently what my freshmen are reading.

Compassion is the theme.

So tonight I have welcomed you into my home, my life.
And tonight I feel good, I feel happy. I am so totally blessed. Thank you God….