I Pray With Gratitude

Happy Sunday my friends! I had a post written about my anger towards the budget cut of Special Olympics, but thank God; it was rescinded. For that I am grateful, but now I sit here at the last minute not knowing what to write. I have more big topics coming up, but not enough time to do them justice at this last minute.

It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and I decide that I am going to have to wing it. I choose to write a post about today with a glimpse into my typical week as a mom and grandma. Being a mom doesn’t end when your kids get out of the house – it never ends. So without further ado, a story on where my kids are today, what I am grateful for, why I pray and some random thoughts that pop into my head as I try to find my peace.

Today

It is a glorious day! I pulled the tarp off my outdoor furniture and sat outside to write. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the thermometer reads 62 degrees. The perfect weather we all look forward to as we struggle through the winter. There aren’t any leaves on the trees, but that will come soon enough.

I don’t think you realize until Spring comes and you go outside to take a deep breath, that it was the winter blues that you were struggling with those last couple of months. I pray this weather continues.

But here I am listening to the bird’s chirp, thinking they are probably starting to build their nests. I hear the sounds of kids playing basketball across the street and motorcycles on the parkway in the distance. A few minutes later, the train blares it’s horn as it goes through our local station. It just feels and sounds wonderful.

I listen to the sweet voice of a child, and through the trees, I can see neighbors to my side are outside swinging with their little girl. That makes me smile and I am so grateful for this moment.

Random Thoughts

My son is away for the weekend and I should be taking advantage of it. I need a break, but I know that will come in 10 days so I will hang tough until then. I don’t want to disappoint anyone by waking up and seeing no blog. It isn’t in my DNA. I pray this ‘off the cuff’ writing is ok with everyone.

Very rarely in my hectic life do I take the time out to do nothing. There is always something going on. I try to keep up with everyone’s schedule, but I can’t even keep up with my own. I see the notifications on twitter keep climbing and I am reminded of the stress to keep up on social media for this blog. I hear a plane overhead – I wonder where it’s going and wish I could be on it.

I thought this week was going to be less stressful and I would get a lot of work done on my blog, but that didn’t happen. After 34 years, I should know better.

I Pray For Christine

My little grandbaby, Abby has been sick a lot in the last 30 days. She has been fighting respiratory ailments with high and low fevers, colds, croup and every time it appears she is getting better, she gets another fever. Now they are running a blood test and checking for pneumonia and Lyme disease.

I pray my Abby Dabby Do gets better and they get to the bottom of what is going on with her constant illnesses. It is so hard when your child is sick; especially as a hard-working, special ed teacher mom. Christine has been off for the last two weeks because it is her spring break, and she has been mostly just home taking care of her kids.

At one point during the week when we thought Abby was better, they slept over here, so she got to visit her friend for a night. I am grateful to have been able to give Christine that, but now she starts work on Monday, and today Abby has a 103 temp. Back to the working mom stress.

I pray for my daughter to keep up her strength. To be able to rest her pregnant self, and deflect the anxiety about her little Abby while watching Gavin. She is going to have three kids, four and under this fall – I pray for her to cherish the moments. I didn’t do that enough and let the stress get the best of me. I am grateful that I was raised by a strong mom, so I could in return raise my own. Christine is an amazing mom and for that I am also grateful.

I Pray For Artie

I have written about Artie being a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, but what I haven’t told everyone is that he took a few steps backward. He had been drinking again for a while, and I had no idea until this past winter. Artie was working in a restaurant and recognized on his own that had to leave this job because it was not healthy for him. For that, I am so grateful and proud of him for recognizing it was a problem. He didn’t need the job.

My son is now back fighting and has 26 days of sobriety under his belt. He is a great young man who still needs to find himself. Artie spent a couple of nights with us this week because he was working close to home. We love having him, and Joe LOVES his big brother. I am grateful for the wonderful human being he is and hope he knows we are always here for him. I pray that my son continues his fight for sobriety and find peace within himself.

Alcoholism is a well documented pathological reaction to unresolved grief.

DAVID COOK, Psychosocial Issues in the Treatment of Alcoholism

I Pray For Roberta

My girl has found herself, is in a wonderful, committed relationship and currently looking for a job that will bring her closer to home. I spent over an hour on the phone with her yesterday. Last week her Dad had a severe stroke due to his alcoholism and addiction. It appears he will have a long battle ahead. I pray for him.

Roberta is going to Florida next week to check on him and help get his affairs in order. My big strong girl who has no relationship with her dad is going to do what she needs to do for him, her sister and her step-mom. I am so grateful for her strength, and I pray that she continues on this current journey of happiness in her life and starting a new adventure.

I Pray For Isabella

My lucky girl just left for Germany this week to study abroad until July. She is having the time of her life but stressed over the enormity of going to college in a country where she does not speak the language. I am happy for her, but will always worry about her safety. This trip is coming on the heels of two terrorist attacks in places you never thought they would occur.

I am thrilled for her adventure, but as the mom, I will be happy when she gets home safe and sound in July. At the same time, I am so grateful that Bella has this opportunity and that we will be there in ten days to check on her. I pray for her safety and that she pays just as much attention to her education as she does her travels.

I Pray For Joseph

He is away this weekend having a wonderful time with his friends, but we are in a transition period in his life and have no idea what he will be doing next year. I have not yet found a program that I believe will be best for him. There is so much I want for Joe and his future because he deserves all the best life has to offer, just like everyone else. I pray for me to make all the right decisions for him and am so grateful for how independent he has become in being ready for the next step in his life. It is my hope, and I pray that Joe will continue to always be happy and always feel love.

Final Thoughts and Prayers

Dear God, may I spend time with you every day, quieting the cares and concerns that make so much noise in my mind, heart, and spirit, so I can hear your wisdom and feel the love you have given me every day of my life. Amen.

Maria Shriver in I’ve Been Thinking

I have an ongoing prayer list, so should anyone need me to add to that list, please let me know!

Last, but not least, I am so grateful for all of you, my viewers who support me each week and I pray for everyone to have a beautiful, blessed Sunday and week.

Much Love!

Sandy

#empower #enlighten #inspire #educate and please always #BeKind