“Not a day goes by that I don’t still need to remind myself that my life is not just what’s handed to me, nor is it my list of obligations, my accomplishments or failures, or what my family is up to, but rather it is what I choose, day in and day out, to make of it all. When I am able simply to be with things as they are, able to accept the day’s challenges without judging, reaching, or wishing for something else, I feel as if I am receiving the privilege, coming a step closer to being myself.  It’s when I get lost in the day’s details, or so caught up in worries about what might be, that I miss the beauty of what is.”  Katrina Kenison

Today I decide to walk around with my camera to see what I am most grateful for.

Seth sneaks up behind me to steal a hug and as I turn to put my arm around him I catch our reflection in the mirror.  I feel his smooth skin under my hand and see how dark he’s gotten this summer spending so much time outside, just like mine used to when I was small.

Later on, I crop my head out of the photo because I don’t like the way I look, I am ashamed of my double chin and poor posture and can’t bear to leave the photo the way it is.

He sees what I am doing and makes a face.  He has football practice later and has to rest for a little while so I leave him cuddling up into my down comforter.   Soon he is sound asleep.

My friend Joanna sends me a letter with photographs that she has taken.  I love seeing her handwriting on the pages.  I am thankful for the last 20 years of writing back and forth with my friend.  She sees beauty all around her and I spend time on my bed putting some of her beauty-pictures in a frame.

Earlier in the morning I had opened up my Bible and read from Ezra about the time of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.  I read 1 Corinthians and out loud I read from Psalms.  Sarah listens, curled up with her head in my lap.  She wants Fruit Loops for breakfast.

Later I spend time looking through old catalogues.  I am working on a piece of mail to send to my friend.  I tear out a couple of pages to send along with a note and an article.  As soon as I open the door to mail it I see my neighbor on the porch about to knock, so we sit down and visit for a while together.

Our dogs have a playdate and we laugh at her dog meeting our rabbit.  We talk about our children and Caleb talks about Star Wars.  She says she will lend him the movies she has and he squeals with joy.

It’s a beautiful day and we keep seeing hummingbirds.

I say goodbye to my neighbor and tuck Sarah into bed for her quiet time.  She doesn’t sleep, and I can hear her talking, singing, and making play sounds.  I love to hear them.  Soon she appears downstairs again and I take the coloring books and crayons out of the cupboard for her to draw with.

I clean my bathroom.

I go outside to see the gardens.  I have small gardens but they bring me so much joy.  After months of making vines and more vines, morning glory blossoms are starting to open.

My cat Snickers sees me and comes over to rub against my legs.  I sit on the grass for a while and pet him.  His purrs are loud and there is fur floating around me and sticking to my lap.  I tell him he is my good kitty.  I pick him up and press my ear to his side to feel and hear him purring.

We get the mail together; but the box is empty today.

I see a peach with an open bruised spot on the side so I pick it.  The other side was smooth and clean so I took a bite.  I am surprised by the juicy taste of perfect peach and assume that they are ready to eat.  I pick three flawless looking peaches but when the children try to bite them they are too hard and I have to throw them away.

I laugh when I see Sherlock.  He tries to get my attention.  I am thankful to have the time today to stroke his fur and show him I love him.

“…there is no such thing as a charmed life, not for any of us, no matter where we live or how mindfully we attend to the tasks at hand. But there are charmed moments, all the time, in every life and in every day, if we are only awake enough to experience them when they come and wise enough to appreciate them.”  Katrina Kenison

As I am blogging, the plumber comes to fix the dishwasher.  While he works, I put away my computer and fold the laundry.  I finish my cup of coffee and hang up a load of towels to dry on the clothesline.  Caleb works on a crossword puzzle and Sarah colors in her book.

The sun is shining but there are clouds, too,  and I can’t ignore the anticipation of knowing that my husband and teenagers will be coming home again tomorrow, after being away for a week.

I love these ordinary moments and days the most.