What we have

I've been realizing lately how much in life that we take for granted...

A sound mind. I think of some of my aunts and uncles who have suffered or are suffering from dementia. "They" (or what makes them "them") is not fully there anymore or not all the time anyway. Their spouse is left alone even before they physically die. Their spouse has to take on new duties and face a much different future than they imagined. Money can't cure that or buy it back. It's gone. 

A sound body. I thought of this when I saw a former co-worker from Target walking across the street with a walker and his wife helping him up the sidewalk. Everything changed for him. He can't do his job right now. His independence is gone and he is dependent on someone else. I'm sure this changed quickly for him, maybe even overnight or in a split second. 

On a much smaller scale, I remember when I had Covid and "getting ready" to leave the house wasn't an option without any energy to do so. Getting a goodnight's sleep, waking up to be able to brush my teeth, eat breakfast, pick out an outfit, put on make-up, do my hair, etc. was not going to happen those days. Now I do it everyday, sometimes begrudgingly, not realizing what a gift it is.

Even as I "age", I can't do as much as I used to without something in my body hurting. Things change and they change oh so quickly.

Daily provision. How about getting into a working, warm car and driving to a good job that I can perform on a daily basis. Being able to come home, make/eat dinner, do household tasks, run errands, etc... how much has to go into that even happening. Money for gas, money for groceries and other needed items. Not everyone has these privileges and they are privileges. 

New life. Being on the other side of a challenging marriage I never imagined being able to get out of. THRIVING on my own, establishing my own identity and rebuilding a beautiful life for myself on my terms and God's. Wow, just WOW!

Children at home. One of my kids walking in the door and being able to have a conversation with them. There is one less to do that with now and no one saw THAT coming. HEALING from that. On another level besides physical, some people have kids who don't talk to them at all. How much has to go into that type of relationship. It's not a given just because they're your kid.

Peace of mind. How easily that can be lost sometimes when something isn't "right". I'm thankful for the deeper kind that comes from being grounded in our unchanging Lord. So many circumstances used to take me down so easily. I am not totally immune from these, but recovery comes much quicker these days. I am so thankful for this. 

To paraphrase from the Bible, thanks be unto God for His unspeakable GIFT(S)!