More Thankfulness...

Continuing with the November Thankfulness posts... 

Day 7

I am Thankful for Unexpected Blessings...

I am thankful for the unexpected opportunities that come my way,

miracles that arrive in many forms, 

opportunities to do what I am passionate about and be involved in things I love!

Tomorrow I get to leave WAAAAY too early in the morning 

to go to a vintage show that I love, with a friend whom I adore, 

to help her take a big jump with her business and her new life!

I get to see friends from my 'old life', 

people who have been caring and supportive and wonderful over the years

- especially during some hard times - 

and whom I think the world of. I owe them so much.

When my life and world fell apart, 

I thought that those days of being around and in the Vintage Show World were over... 

and it broke my heart, because that felt like the place I TRULY belonged. 

To be able to still be a part of it, even in a very small way, 

is an absolute blessing to me!
 __________________________________________

 
[I've been off the computer and am a bit behind on my Thankfulness posts... so, let's catch up:]

Day 8: 
I am Thankful for friends who are BRAVELY and BOLDLY creative!

For Adrienne and Trino & Johan and other vendors at shows like Remnants, 
so many who share their eye for beauty through the art they create in many different ways... 
I am always inspired by them, 
and I learn so much by watching what they do to live true to their artistic calling.

Day 9: 
I am Thankful for gracious people. People with MANNERS.

I met a person this weekend - the guest of a friend - 
who was interested in our conversations and viewpoints, 
fully engaged in conversation with us and shared some wonderful stories, 
shared our time, our food, and our company with great interest - 
and then quietly paid for dinner for everyone. Twice. Despite our protestations. 
I watched him pull out chairs, open doors, and hold elevators, as well. 
Generosity on top of kindness, graciousness, and politeness. 
(Good heavens, this gives me HOPE!)

Day 10: 
I am Thankful for moments when God reminds me that I am supposed to LIVE!

I'm still working on the pain, the hurt, the damage from the past. 
I'm still trying to be brave and step out of my fears and my habits... 
and I'm getting there. 
I can't hide. I can't go backward. 
I can't have the life I had before, or be the person I was before. 
I can't stay stuck grieving it all. 
And so I open my arms to life - and all that it brings - and bravely accept it. Whatever it is. 

God has me shaking my head over something right now, but I trust Him.