Feeling Grateful Today

I'm feeling very grateful today, to the point of tears really. 

You hear stereotypes sometimes, and one I heard alot when I worked in insurance was about "those" New Englanders.  They are crabby.  Tight knit.  Tough.  Not friendly to outsiders.  Harsh.

Well folks, it wasn't my experience in the 19 years I handled New England claims (I'm not saying that NO ONE was like that, but it wasn't everyone!) and it isn't my experience now.

You see, I'm going to New England in a few weeks an a handful of New Englanders are treating me like royalty and going out of their way to assure I have a great time and its just so touching.  I'm gonna get to spend two days in CAMBRIDGE FOR FREE!  I am getting tons of advice from the locals on what to see and do.  Then I'm spending two days in New Hampshire!  Plans to spend time in "the lake district" for free and stay at someone's guest house and have dinner cooked for me.  Plans to spend time on the coast and visit some of the oldest sites in New England and walk the Atlantic coast.  All dreams I have been brewing for years all coming true thanks to some pretty amazing people here in Minnesota and out on the coast of New Hampshire and Massachutsetts.  So fortunate!  A life so full of wonder and joy!

God brought two friends to mind today.  These are special friends.  In the case of one, I really have hardly spent any time with this beautiful couple.  But it was love, pure love that needs nothing in return, at first meeting.  They moved over the past weekend and I think God just wanted me to pray for them for peace, for safety and joy in their changing life.  For a strong and fun marriage.  Just praying for them put a smile on my face.  Which is weird really because I don't get any or many tangible benefits out of our friendship.  No freebies.  Hardly any "face time".  Not alot of interaction at all.  And yet I feel richly blessed to pray for them.  Strange.  Cool.

The other couple was a close part of our life and is now thousands of miles away.  I hardly ever write them.  I hardly ever see them.  But every once in a while, for no reason apparent to me, God puts them on my heart...and I pray, joyfully, not knowing or caring why, just happy to have them in my thoughts for a bit.  They plan on staying where they are, so its not likely our friendship will net many more tangible benefits, but again I consider them close friends and love them with a pure love not needing reward or benefit other than just loving them. 

And that all makes me feel grateful too.  Which is all good, because earlier today I felt angry, and I like this change to gratitude!  Its unexpected, undeserved and real.

Ahhhh!

Here are a few photos from the weekend.  More to come later...

Comments

[tami]

i am so glad that you are coming to visit minda. i really am.

[Adriann]

Beautiful post and the music really sets the tone! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your trip!!

Blessings!