Homebodies - Things that made me smile this week

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Published on Sunday, March 6, 2016

By Rita Friesen

The Neepawa Banner

In my desire to develop and maintain a sense of gratitude and humour, I attempt to pause and take note when I am surprised by nature’s beauty, an unexpected kindness or something, someone who makes me smile. 

Driving to class the other morning, the sky was filled with an orange coloured sunrise. There has been a time when I did not like, or appreciate, the colour orange. Orange is the colour of creativity and I have had a challenging time recognizing my creativity. I am not ready for orange nail polish or a pumpkin orange item of clothing, but I am seeing myself in burnt orange colours. Seeing the sunrise and being awed by the hue made me smile.

My dogs have shared a year with a ‘cousin’ dog. Meeka is a beautiful Lab/Retriever cross, very much larger than Hoover and Miss Daisy. Meeka has moved to town with her caregivers, but we try to take the dogs for a walk together regularly. My dogs know that if we pass the traffic lights, we are going to get their friend to join us. This week, just coming up the hill, I asked my dogs if we should pick up Meeka. Oh, my! The yipping and barking and whining was wonderful. They understood exactly what I said. I laughed out loud! When we walk, Miss Daisy is forever tugging at the lead, Henry Hoover walking sedately beside me. His attitude states – I’m the good kid, I am. But when Meeka joins us, Miss Daisy adopts the same stance. No pulling, few forays, good kid as well. That makes me smile.

A cup of tea with a friend, a hand crafted card in the mail, a hug returned, a smile shared. Many of life’s little moments are gifts, they need to be noticed. A call from a child, a picture of my great-grands posted on line so that I can feel connected and sense their growth and accomplishments, an invitation to a dance recital, supper out or in, a smile even in the remembering. May my eyes never fail to see the wonder of being loved. 

Looking back with gratitude for the growth and stretching that my life has demanded of me. Grateful for the varied individuals that fill my thoughts. The further ahead I move, the more events, occasions and memories I have to draw from. Camping trips with three generations, holidays with my sisters, travels near and far. Looking ahead with anticipation. Changes are coming. (I can’t have been downsizing for two years for nothing!) In just a few weeks I will have completed the Clinical Pastoral Education course. My smile shifted to out loud laughter when I realized that ‘school’ ended a week earlier than I had marked on my calendar!  

My gratitude smiles last long after the sun sets. New every morning.