40 Days of Throwback Thanks: Day 02 [My Mythical Year]

See my post here for more information on My Mythical Year.

 

40 Days of Throwback Thanks

Day 02:

I'm thankful for...

• ...the day off.  At other places I've worked, going back to work the day after Thanksgiving was the norm.
• ...this quote I heard today:  "Gratitude is the breakthrough attitude." - Pastor Rick Warren, Seeking God for a Breakthrough series.
• ...naps.
• I'm thankful that I don't have to listen to Christmas music until I'm ready.  I'm not.
• ...bubble baths.
• ...not-so-nutty Black Friday shopping crowds at Wal-Mart this afternoon.  I hadn't planned on going anywhere today, but I ran out of yarn right at the end of a project and had to venture out for some. 
• ...for another finished crochet project.

Today's Throwback Thanks goes to my sister, Ida Guzman:

I still remember the day.  We were in school at Alexandria and you stood up to a bully on the bus for me.  Not only did she make me move out of the seat she wanted, but when you confronted her about it, she answered with some not-so-choice words (including the n-word).  I know I'm not supposed to say this, but I smiled when I heard you say, "This is what a n---- will do for you!" and the thud of you busting her in the face!  Thank you for being my hero that day.  You continued to be my hero as I watched you raise your boys, spoil your grandkids, love your husband, and now, take care of our mom.  I love you, big sis! 

40 Days of Throwback Thanks: Day 01 [My Mythical Year]

See my post here for more information on My Mythical Year.

 

40 Days of Throwback Thanks

I know that I don't do this blog prompt every year, but it seems necessary this year.  It seems that more than ever, people are rushing through Thanksgiving to get to the Christmas season.  Gratitude isn't merely as season; it should be a way of life.  The Bible plainly states that refusing to be grateful is the indicator of a very unhealthy spiritual life (Romans 1:20-32).  A plethora of articles state the benefits of gratitude on the mind and body (for an example, check out this blurb from Shape magazine). 

I, for one, want to buck the trend and take gratitude from Thanksgiving, through Christmas, to the end of 2018.

This year, I'm changing up my 40 days of gratitude a little.  Along with finding daily (or at least semi-daily) reasons to be grateful, I'm including a "Throwback Thanks" section to declare gratitude for people or situations from my past.  I hope y'all enjoy.

Day 01:

I'm thankful for...

• ...the beautiful sunrise.  It was one of those skies full of pinks and blues that looks like God painted it with watercolors.
• ...being able to eat eggs again.  As I talked about here, I found out the hard way that Teflon gives eggs a horrible aftertaste.  I purchased a Lodge cast iron skillet last week and thoroughly enjoyed my scrambled eggs this morning.  Yum!
• ...thankful for my new friends, John and Laura O'melia and their sons Sean and Kevin.  Laura and  I met through the Leading Ladies group at CCU.  At our last meeting, she invited me for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a time of great food, laughter, and conversation.  Because I just came back from a trip home, I would have been fine with spending the holiday alone, but this invitation made it extra special.

Today's Throwback Thanks goes to Marquet Harris and Freda Curry:

Thank you both for being willing to befriend me when my parents and I moved to Jacksonville in 1978.  You never knew how scared and lonely I was as a six year old in a new place with new scary people I had to deal with.  Who knows where I'd have ended up if you hadn't included me and even occasionally defended me as we grew up.  I know we only see each other on social media, but both of you mean a great deal to me.  I love y'all.

Five Minute Friday: "One"

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One.  Just one.  Just one pint of blood is all I needed to give.  Number eight on my 101 in 1001 v. 2 list was to donate blood at least five times.  This should have been a challenge, not an impossibility.  However, my last five attempts to donate have been dismal failures.  Today was the last straw.  Unlike the last three attempts, they actually did get to the needle sticking part.  About five minutes into it, the process was aborted because air got into the tube, my blood started to clot, and the tube leading into the blood collection bag clogged.  I decided right then that I wasn't going to try to give blood anymore.

I've been a donor since college, so several gallons of my blood have been used to save lives.  So, being unable to preform this one simple act of service saddens me deeply.  My one pint of blood could go anywhere and help anyone since I am "O" type (universal donor).  But after five unsuccessful tries, I think the message is clear--it's time to stop.

This is one thing I cannot do anymore.

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