Summer Blessings 2022

I've slacked off on here but still in awe of my everyday blessings-

Coffee on the back deck

Mom's better health

Becoming a 1st time Grandma this spring

Husband retiring -just in the nick of time

Summer visitors at the shore

Ability to visit both of my sons in their new apartments

Daughter who helps her grandma

A summer concert

Sunset Walks

Air conditioner

Helping to staff the library booth at the 4H fair

Internet games

Slowing down but getting things done

Random texts or emails from a friend checking in

 Although I have not written them down on here, my blessings continue to flow

The opportunity to gain full-time employment and health insurance

The chance to see family and friends 

Welcoming family into my home for short and long stays

Quiet moments in the middle of life's stormy moments

Necessities of life in abundance

Many helpful family members, friends and co-workers

Love surrounding me

Faith 

A new year full of hope with the coming of a granddaughter in the spring

Quiet Morning Blessings

 

Quiet Morning Blessing

Summer is upon us at the Jersey shore.  With birds beginning to sing outside, I turn over deciding whether it is too early to wake up. 

Because there is company staying and sleeping on the couch, I put off making my coffee for a bit but decide that I should be awake after getting a good night sleep.

Scrolling through Facebook, I say a prayer for people whose post reveal they are having difficulties.

The air conditioner hums as I am acutely aware that I am privileged during the heat wave to own one.

The day is mine to decide what to do since I will be working this weekend, I have a Friday off.

There are a few family situations I became aware of – one happy, one heart-breaking….I will strive to participate in these with a caring attitude.

My heart if full. I am blessed to begin a new day.

 January 2021- My Blessings Basket overflows

A sampling

Writer's critiquing meeting goes off without a hitch

A surprise visit from my son and his fiancé and the children. Even though the lasagna fell to the floor, we were grateful for other options.

Pizza with my niece and her son at my mom's apartment

My daughter assisting to clean my mom's apartment.

My mom getting stronger after a health issue

Snippet Book debuted  

 SNIPPETS: 100 WORD MEMOIR SHORTS: Seaside Storytellers, Taney, Maria, Restione, Bhadrena, Slaninka, Susan, Ridge, Bill, Yasik, Christine, Moore, Kathleen, Matthews, Susan, Gandolfo, Cynthia, Collins, Bonny: 9798648836457: Amazon.com: Books

Getting greeting cards into January due to widespread mail delays.  Extends the season!

A kind gesture from an employee at the library for a contest prize

Book Club via Zoom

Brakes put on

Catching up with a friend while maintaining social distancing protocols

A call from my brother

My oldest son has a new job opportunity

Delivering the lasagna pans that Tom bought for Amanda

 

Fall Blessings

 Camping trips

Cooking over the fire

Historic places

Winery visit

Eating in a restaurant (1st time since January)

Bringing a dog along for the ride

Family games party (virtual)

Mending fences

Caring friends who look after loved ones

Roses still in the yard

Following intuition

Slowing down for Amish buggies

Operating above the line

 

 

 The normally busy summer season of the Jersey shore is coming to a close.  This summer, I didn't make it to the boardwalk at all.  The beach trip (1 time) consisted of staying far, far to the rear of the beach.  

  Normally, the summer passes by and I am working, working and working.  Even when family comes, maybe I squeeze in a dinner or a small outing with them.  This year, with more time, family came to visit but in smaller groups.  

Blueberry picking, going to the bay, spending time walking at a farm in West Cape May were some activities that allowed us to maintain distance.  

As much as I missed my summer boardwalk job and the hype of the season, this summer allowed time to refresh and reflect.  I didn't feel pressured to solve the problems of everyone, because it just wasn't  possible.  I remain hopeful that with a little slower pace, we can alleviate a rush on the healthcare system and come out strong.  

A friend in a writing group wrote a poem about saying a prayer when you wash your hands.  I took this to heart and now when I wash up, I include a prayer for whoever pops into mind. 

The fall is upon is and my hope is we all find our way through with dignity and patience with each other.

 

Staying quieter is easier than I thought. Previously, I worked two job. Now, just four hours per day.  

This spring, my friend Maria put together a book of haiku from prompts emailed to others.  Fortunately, I participated in this project and a wonderful self-published Amazon book came out of this.  

From Solitude to Solidarity

Today, a piece written by me appeared in this journal

http://potatosoupjournal.com/category/nonfiction-essay-memoir/

Today, I count my writing community as my blessing