Thank you.

Two little words (in English...other languages simplify it even further). And yet, we don't often say it enough.  I was traveling to New York two weeks ago for work, and, as I boarded one of my flights, I scanned my phone's boarding pass and said, "Thank you so much for your cheerfulness this morning" to the gate agent. He perked up (even more, which I wasn't sure had been possible) and said, "You're welcome, and I hope you have the most wonderful day".  As I started down the jetbridge, I heard Mr. Grumpy Gills (a.k.a. the man boarding behind me) literally grunt to the gate agent.  But why?  He wasn't feeling it?  If he was the anomaly, that would be one thing, but I hear nothing, grunts, or muffled 'yeah's all the time when I travel. What is so hard about saying those words?  
Dave makes fun of me because all the people at the Sonic in our small town seem to know me by name (my friends in Niceville, Florida will not be shocked by this at all).  We "God bless you" to each other when I pick up my Coke Zero for the day, and they are appreciative of the tips they get.  I wonder if it is because they usually have to deal with the relatives and friends of Mr. Grumpy Gills from the airport.  
I get down on my knees on a little stool my mother used (to use to get into bed or to reach into a higher cupboard) every morning to pray to God that I can at least try to be the person He wants me to be. I fail miserably sometimes, but I figure I have a fighting chance if I ask for help. At mealtimes and other times, Dave and I pray for thanks for all we have been given, even when we have loved ones who are suffering or have passed away.  Yesterday morning, I asked Dave if he still walks around our brand new home we built in the hill country of Texas this past year, saying, "Wow! We are so blessed to live in this beautiful home".  He said, quite honestly, that he doesn't always think to do that. He, on the other hand, is so very grateful for the time he gets to spend on the golf course, having retired from work 6 years ago.  I am goofy, and I still walk in my library and say, "I love that I can see all my books for the first time in my life. Thank you!" Maybe I travel so much for work that when I am home, I see the beauty in what we have here. Dave sees the beauty in a bird(ie). See what I did there? 
Today, I am grateful for so many things:

• the ability to watch church online when it just didn't work to get up in time to get to Boerne for in-person church
• the ability to work with educators around the world and compare notes on best practices and love what we do.....even when it is HARD 
• the ability to read a good book while sitting in the sunshine with our dear Labs
• Dave and our marriage (if not perfect, pretty darn close) of 30 years----we just re-upped for another 30, by the way :)
• too many other things to count, including some measure of serenity I might not have had about 25 years ago
• a place like this to voice my thoughts and people like you who care enough to read them

Just for today, perhaps consider for what things you are most grateful.  Don't forget to tell the people around you "thank you", even for the little things. 
Happy Communicating!!
​Shelly

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