For me the month of March signals that spring is on the horizon. It is a time when nature starts its labor to bring forth beauty and the promise of more to come. I love that and so look forward to it…yet this March I am pondering the coming birth of what has been a labor of love for me during this past year. Could more be coming from this labor? I am beginning to think so.
It all started very simply by enjoying the thankful heart of my cousin Linda. She would post on fb what she was thankful for that day. I discovered I looked forward to what she had to say…I even missed her when she skipped a day or two. Her thankfulness was contagious…I caught it and decided to try this out for myself. The starting date was May 6, 2013. My first entry read like this:
“Today I am grateful for the sweet little dachshund curled up on my lap, for almond butter on my homemade bread and a beautiful sunset with my cigar smoking friends.”
Now that wasn’t so hard. My heart felt life…my heart felt peaceful…my heart felt blessed…my heart felt… Could I do it again? “Yes I can!” So began the daily posts on fb of what I am grateful for. Slowly I began to realize that gratitude is truly life giving. I began to look forward to what God was awaking in me that I could share with others. I began to see a pattern of posting each evening with a dachie on my lap. It was my grandson, Jack, who said, “Mimi, your tag line is ‘with dachie on your lap’. Let me take a picture of you posting your gratitude on fb, and I would love a copy of these daily postings. You should put them all in a book. It would make a great gift.” Bingo!
So, my friends, I want to share with you a few of those gratitude posts to whet your appetite for the more to come. Is a book in the making? I believe so. Ponder this one from September 2, 2013:
“Today I am grateful to see significance in a most unusual find. My grandson, Parker, hauled a lovely piece of driftwood up off the beach. We have placed it in our yard…a wonderful reminder of how the turbulence of the lake carves out beauty. This piece of wood has been on a journey all it’s own. It is old, faded, weathered and has been tossed around by the elements. Yet it has survived. Enjoying with a dachie on my lap.”
In some of my postings I find my heart drifting back into my story. I don’t drift too far…just enough to rest my heart for the day. You’ll understand what I mean as you read this post from August 4, 2013:
“Today I am grateful to be free. I am free to laugh, to speak, to eat, to dance, to stay, to go, to love, to write, to drink, to…as one who has struggled with addiction I have placed a lot restrictions on my life. It created a small world …one tightly managed. Likewise as one who has navigated my way out, I’ve discovered the more intended for me to live life large. I love being free and it has taken some getting used to. I’ll take it…hope is found here along with the dachie on my lap.”
I will leave you with this final post…it includes you and my hope is that in some way you, too, will see the wonder of gratitude for your life. Read, rest and enjoy…my love to you all:
“Today I am grateful for you. Each one of you holds a special place in my heart…I see your face…I hear your voice…I remember how I know you and what makes you unique in my life as my story continues to unfold. Your response is a gift to me. I am encouraged…I am blessed to call you friend. I will continue with gratitude and a dachie on my lap.”
 
Mary Jane Hamilton has grown to love her sense of style and her peaceful lake living. Mother of 2 and grandmother of 6, she has a wonderful capacity to love and is still active as The Tooth Fairy. She is extremely fond of her dachshunds, who rarely venture from her lap, and enjoys biking with her husband of 44 years. She is rekindling her writing skills and finding it life giving.
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I will wait for your writings to be bound into a book ~ I will be proud to know the author.
Thank you, Lady Elaine…you are one of my biggest fans. I love you!
I love your words…I love you…and I love the dachie on your lap!
Me, too.thank you for your kind words.
I too have a Doxie, my Sadie-bug, and I love her so very, very much. Appreciate your writing and am inspired to do this as well. God bless you.♥
Bless you and sweet Sadie-bug. Enjoy your journey of gratitude. Thanks for your encouragement.
Your posts are treasures! They are life giving and daily invitations to embrace hope and love through the honesty and openness of your heart sharing! I look forward to owning a copy!
Thank you, dear friend…love you and your kindness.
It will be a labor of love. Looking forward….
Thank you, Pat…I’m looking forward too.
You are such an inspiration, Mary Jane! I want to be like you when I grow up.
Thank you, Julie for your generous words. Be who you are and enjoy your journey…your are loved!
Your daily gratitude has often encouraged me over the past months. Feeling gratitude today for how you have shared your gratitude – truly life-giving. I’d love to own a copy of your book.
Thank you for your encouragement and reading along with my gratitude posts. Stay tuned there is more to come!
I look forward every day to see your posts Mary Jane. I love that you are going to put them in a book. What a great idea and it will be such a blessing. Thank you for your daily reminder of what gratitude and pondering look like. I enjoy your writings so much!
Thank you, Cindy…your words mean a lot to me along with your encouragement. Hope to see you soon. Love to you, MJ
Mary Jane, Your posts have been a delight. Much wisdom in a small space is not easy. You, however, hit the mark each time. Can’t wait to get your new book!
Thank you, Becky! Your words are a breathe of fresh air to my soul. I so appreciate your encouragement. Love, MJ
Soul healing words..thank you
You are so welcome, Claudia. Thank you for responding so kindly. Enjoy today.
So sweet to watch your gratitude unfold…a beautiful invitation!
Thank you Bethany….I am grateful for you!