Sometimes I am such a visual person, that I tend to focus so much on photos and images, that I forget to record things that I really feel inside. Time to make a change about that...
There is something special about this time of year. Despite the chaos and madness (planting, harvesting, long days, canning, freezing, deadlines for work, school, dance, violin, laundry, cleaning, yard work), I find myself feeling grateful more often. The quiet moments in the car...especially in the evening...when the sun is going down, and everything is a beautiful golden shade. I marvel at the beauty of bugs floating in the air, with the sunset glowing on their silhouette. Another summer in my life has come and gone. I imagine what it would be like to miss all of this...to be in the city with crowds and cars. To be worried about shopping and going out with friends, being in the "it" crowd. So thankful that my path led me somewhere else...even if it seems less glamorous.
The crops have grown and flourished in what seems like such a short amount of time. It seems that each year I get older, they grow faster. The cute old widowed woman down the road, with a crooked back, is trying her hardest to clean out her flower beds (why can't I just get the courage to stop to meet her and see if she would like some help...I get the promting every time I drive by, and I've yet to do anything about it). Seeing her reminds me so much of my great grandma Mellies who went to heaven last year. I can't believe how much I miss her. I picture her in the later years of her life, in her flower bed, with her straw hat. Hoeing like crazy...watering her flowers...looking at her yard with disapproval because her body won't allow her to keep her yard as she would like it. I hope that she has the most beautiful yard ever in heaven :) Giant peonies and rose bushes, with a perfectly manicured lawn. I picture she and grandpa in an idealic back yard, sipping on orange juice (the same kind she always gave to me when I would mow her lawn...it always tasted like there was pineapple juice mixed in)...while looking out on their beautiful yard.
There was a crisp breeze floating into my car window this evening when I took dinner to David in the tractor. There was a hint of fall in the crisp evening air...and the sweet, sweet smell of potato acid lingering everywhere. I can't help but feel so thankful. Thankful for home. You see, I think I live in the most beautiful place on earth. I love the smallness. I love the community. I love my family. I have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life. I am so thankful for the simple life that has brought me joy. Family, friends, home, farm and life. Spending every minute doing things that bring me joy...the things that most people look at from the outside and think looks like "work". So thankful that I have mostly given up television and social things that don't matter...and discovered so many other aspects of life. Thankful for my son wanting to learn to can and preserve food...grateful that Grace cleaned the entire basement just because it was messy. Thankful for Kate's greeting every morning when she comes to my bedside and wants to cuddle...even grateful for Lily's ornery manner in the morning when she yells "come wake me up" and proceeds to be disgusted with breakfast options, no matter what they might be. Thankful for a sister that is my best friend, and parents and in-laws that would do anything for my family. A husband that is my best friend. I often wonder what is wrong with us, because most people talk about marriage being "hard", but "worth it". I only see it as being wonderful. Nothing hard about it.
Are things in my life always perfect? Absolutely not. I hope that by always focusing on the positive aspects of life, that my blog readers don't think that things are perfect around here. Because nothing is perfect. I just tend to focus on positive things in my life. I just want to record how blessed I feel to be alive, and to have my family around me. I am so glad for this time of year. So thankful for Gods creations all around me. No matter the chaos :)