5

My decision to start this blog was the result of an agreement with a good friend that was made one night after several glasses of wine. She had broken up with a serious boyfriend (they lived together), and we were taking a break from packing her stuff so she could move out of his house and in with her parents. She said that she was thinking seriously about starting a blog on which she could chronicle her breakup and use for her own therapeutic benefit. She already had a title picked out. I was glad to hear that I wasn't the only one who had had this thought, and we decided at that moment that we would take the plunge together. I plunged; she didn't.


It's not that I blame her. Blogging takes up time, and I am sure that she didn't have much time to spare at that point. Whatever the case, I am glad that I carried out the plan as writing about my daily experiences has been a release of sorts even though I haven't been going through anything nearly as serious or painful as a breakup. Knowing that I have the opportunity to share the highlights or low points of my day/week/year, forces me to really reflect on my life. And, even though posts are rarely serious, I am constantly thinking about what is good and what is real and constantly taking stock of the "graces" in my life..

So, in honor of "daily graces," as brought to life by Wallycado, today I am thankful for...

-My patients. These roses are thriving in the 106 degree Oklahoma heat, outside the home of one of my patients, and because she can't get outside to see them for herself, I took this with my phone to show her. Although the flowers are beautiful, they are not my grace. Instead, I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with patients like this little lady; I learn something from every one of my patients every day.

-The library. I love to learn; I get this from my father. Where else could I have gotten information on business plans, writing grants, traveling to Europe on a budget, growing old gracefully, and some sheet music for the piano all at once and all for free? I'm like a kid in a candy store the second I set foot in the library. See the stack of books I checked out this evening...I'm still wondering why they don't give out sacks at the Jenks Library though.

3. Michael Jackson. I am a child of the 80s. I have moonwalked. I have worn a single metallic glove. He was weird, but he was talented, and his legacy will live on.
4. Farrah Fawcett. She was a classic beauty, there is no doubt. But, by documenting her battle with cancer she showed a grace and inner beauty that most people don't possess. I am thankful that she publicized her horrific experience to teach others just how ugly cancer really is.

- And last, thank you to the news-, weather-, and sportscasters on Channel 2 news. I'm not sure if they all passed around a joint or a case of "pink eye," but whatever it was, they all seemed to be sharing whatever it was that makes one's eyes really red, squinty and glossy. Thank you for giving Josh and I a laugh at 6 and again at 10.