Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things . . .

It is easy to express gratitude when things in your life are running smoothly, but a little more difficult when things get rough. We have recently gone through a challenging time that made it more difficult to see the blessings in our lives. My husband was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and life has been a world-wind of medical tests, doctor's appointments and hospital stays. To say it has been overwhelming doesn't begin to describe what we have been through.

I'll admit that I forgot to be grateful for a while. My thoughts and emotions were so tied up in dealing with the unthinkable that I could no longer see the blessings in my life. I was blinded and running on empty. Just getting through another day took tremendous energy. At the end of the day, there was nothing left over to either recognize blessings or express gratitude.

But, we have experienced blessings along the way.  The greatest blessing is that his condition is treatable and he began Chemo treatments a few weeks ago. He has responded well and the doctors are hopeful. But those are not the only blessings we have received.

We have heard from people who we have not spoken to for decades, as they send their support and hold us in their thoughts and prayers. Knowing that we still hold a place in the lives of those we knew so long ago is indeed a blessing.

We have received words of encouragement from online friends who we have never met. Knowing that we have touched lives and made an impact on others lifts us up in this difficult time.

Our children have stood behind us and offered their undying support, even when their lives were filled with other obligations and we know they were running on empty, too. They will never fully understand how much that means and how proud we are of the people they have become.

The world is filled with kind and caring people and we are blessed to call them our friends and family.

So, today I am grateful for the outpouring of support, for the continued prayers and the goodness of people. May they be blessed mightily in return.

I am grateful for modern medicine that makes it possible to fight this horrible disease, for the experience, skill and compassion of caring doctors and for the many nurses and support staff that have eased our way through the darkness.

I am grateful for the peace and tranquility of nature, for my camera that allows me to capture the beauty God has bestowed on us and for stolen moments when I can get outside to photograph and share that beauty with you. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you always find blessings to be grateful for like "the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one's voice."