Gratitude

Today is the 4th, so I will give four things I'm particularly grateful for today, to catch up.

On Saturday I had my former job on my mind a lot, and I think that I consciously gave thanks for the fact that I was given severance.  That will allow me to stay home for awhile and get my bearings; take a little time to look around for what I want to do.  So I am grateful that I worked for a company that gave us severance pay.

On Sunday we were invited for dinner to our friends the Js.  Thomas has known them since he was 16.  I have known them since we married.  Mr. J had been married before and has two daughters by that marriage.  The older is married and has a baby; the younger is three years older than Eler Beth.  Mr. and Mrs. J (the second wife) also have a daughter who is three years younger than Eler Beth.  They and Eler Beth get along so well.  The older girl, K, can play with anyone, and she loves doing whatever it is that the younger girls do.  When she has to go to her mom's the younger girl, S, misses her tremendously.  They love playing with Eler Beth, and she loves them.  Mrs. J (E) and I get along great, and Mr. J (T) and Thomas have a lot in common.  Andrew likes the whole family, and, even though there was no one his age, he had a good time Sunday.  We had a great dinner and good association.  So on Sunday I was grateful for good friends, especially ones with little girls that are good friends for Eler Beth.

Yesterday I had a bad headache most of the day and didn't do much, at least not compared to what Thomas did.  He did some needed repair work around the house.  Specifically, he replaced the gutters at the back of the house, and the wood piece that the gutter attaches to (can't remember what it's called).  Andrew helped him and really worked hard.  I am very grateful for a husband who is willing to do things like that without being nagged, and who has the skills to do those repairs.  And I am grateful for a son who will work with his father that way.

I'll post today's gratitude later.