Grateful I’m alive and growing

Grateful I’m alive isn’t something I’ve said or written very often over many months. Except, perhaps, in one of my somewhat Pollyanna* attempts to write in my gratitude journal. But this morning it struck me that I’m grateful and glowing.

This may be a temporary state. But while the feeling lasts, while the concept lingers, I plan to rejoice and be glad.

*For those who do not know, Pollyanna is the name of a little girl in a novel of the same name, familiar to those of my age. An orphan, Pollyanna tries to be grateful for everything. As a child and later, I never quite understood her philosophy. But her name provides a good short-cut to the idea of ‘making the best of things’.

Some reasons I’m grateful I’m alive

Having introduced the idea of Pollyanna, I’m afraid I may continue in that vein. But I hope not! Here are a few of the things to give thanks for today.

• I’m a regular Sunday-Mass-goer. This morning I sat in my favourite pew in our parish church. The pew near a front side-door gets lots of fresh air, and allows a good view of the altar. After months of hot weather, today I rejoiced in the cool breeze that blew so that I had goose bumps on my bare arms and legs. Autumn may be on its way after a sizzling summer in which heat records were smashed across Western Australia.
• As a bonus, there’s plenty of space for my walker near the pew.
• I’m grateful for the walking aid that I bought under protest after I fell on a curb eighteen months ago, gave myself a massive head-wound and concussion. The sturdy walker means I can walk many kilometres without feeling anxious.
• After Mass, I walked through green parkland to visit my granddaughter, her husband and my great-granddaughter. Helen’s twenty-one-months old and a total delight. I get withdrawal symptoms if I do not see her often.
• It’s Laetare Sunday. The word means ‘rejoice’ and is the first word of today’s liturgy. We’re half-way through Lent, half-way to Easter.
• Yesterday, I went by train to Perth, a few stations from home. I could have driven. The station is being renovated. The lift (elevator) to the platform I needed is disabled. It meant a short trip in the opposite direction before changing trains to get where I wanted to be. So complicated! So adventurous! A fun trip for an old woman who has had so little energy for so long!
• My planned shopping completed, I bought, on total impulse, a beatiful top. It goes with many things in my jaded, end-of-summer wardrobe. It felt rich and beautiful when I tried it on. I stand straighter when I wear it.
• There’s an orchid on the dining table and a bunch of yellow chrysanthemums on the coffee table. Mozart playing.

The broader picture

My list above sounds frivolous. Here’s more serious stuff.

After a long, mediated legal session ten days ago, details of my future life have started to emerge. There’s much to be grateful for, especially the people who have supported me in small ways and great.

Of course I’ll survive, even thrive. Why did I doubt that?

Link

I’m linking this post to the Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge Timeworn. It’s the challenge devised by my friends, Sue Walker of the website Nan’s Farm and Gerry C, at The Main Aisle. Both entertaining, both worth checking out.

I feel anything but timeworn!

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