Today I'm Grateful For . . .

This has been a crazy week. There's been a lot of work drama. I've lost count of the people I've personally known who have died this week or people I'm close to who have lost someone significant. I'm working through some tough personal stuff.

Through it all, however, what I'm focussed on is all that I'm grateful for. The list is long, so you might want to get comfortable.

I'm grateful for the ability to laugh at the outrageous. Sometimes the options are to laugh or cry and I find myself choosing "laugh" more and more these days.

I'm grateful for the Affordable Care Act. Because of it, mental health care now has parity with physical health issues. What does that mean? Your insurance company can't set crazy lifetime limits on care or say that you can only seek a certain number of treatment sessions if you're depressed. Treating mental illness is not "one size fits all." Thanks also to the ACA, women's health care now includes guaranteed coverage for reproductive care. This is a huge step forward.

I'm grateful for my health. Yes, I have hypothyroidism and yes, I've got a certain amount of weight to lose, but in the overall scheme of things, I'm healthy. And when I get ill, I can go to the doctor and not worry I'm going to go bankrupt or choose between paying medical bills and my mortgage.

I'm grateful for my family. Well, most of them. I'm grateful for my mom, my dad, my brother, and most of my extended family. They're pretty awesome and supportive. Hell, I'm grateful for the rest of them too. I'm grateful that they taught me what love is not.

I'm grateful for my friends - the new ones and the ones I've had for years. They love and support me all the time. They are witty and keep me in stitches. They are fun and adventurous and never let me take myself too seriously. These are the folks who make sure I never get too big for my britches.

I'm grateful for Sammy and Zoey. There's just something about pets that brings about immediate calmness. I give them full credit for my blood pressure remaining constant in the healthy range. Without them, the crazy Type A side of me would win.

I'm grateful for Betsey and Ross before them. They taught me how to love unconditionally. They broke my heart when they died, but I needed the lesson on how to recover from it, in that moment. Without it, I would never have survived the Summer of 2012.

I'm grateful for my job. Each day is an adventure and interesting. Today was one of the really good days.

I'm grateful for my presentation skills. They say that one of the greatest fears most people have is public speaking, but I've never been afraid to present to groups of people. I freak out about preparing my presentation, but actually presenting doesn't faze me in the slightest. That played out today . . .

I'm grateful for the mentorship my friend Tim has given me over the past six years. He's helped me grow into the alumni relations professional I am today by challenging me at every step and always demanding better of me. We've known each other for almost 25 years and he's always believed in me and seen more in me than I've sometimes been able to see in myself.

I'm grateful to be able to finally see myself through the lenses my forever friends have been looking through for many years.

I'm grateful to finally be learning how to better handle my stress and anxiety through yoga, mindfulness, journalling, and therapy. It took me 42 years, but I finally figured out that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

Gratitude List March 10, 2013

What am I grateful for today? The list is long, but here are a few of my favorite things today.

I'm grateful I didn't have to wear a winter coat today. I anticipate I'll wear it again tomorrow and I was wearing a long sweater over a turtleneck sweater, but I was without a coat today.

I'm grateful that today's precipitation was rain and not snow. Mid-March in Chicago can be pretty iffy. I'm ready for Spring. That's not to say this was was difficult. It wasn't. In fact, it was another pretty mild winter. It was never brutally cold and I think it was mid-January before we saw our first inch of snow, but I love Spring.

I'm grateful the 2013 Ravinia schedule is out. And it's divine. I'll spend some time in the next week studying it and purchasing tickets for the best shows. It's going to be a great Summer.

I'm grateful for brunch with my friends Tim and Michael today. Tim and I worked on our 20th reunion planning. Yes, that's right. It's been 20 years since we graduated from Lake Forest College. What a 20 years it's been.

I'm grateful for dinner tomorrow with Tim and Michael. Thirty-three years later, we're going to once again learn the answer to the important question: Who Shot J.R.? As you probably know, Larry Hagman died earlier this year when midway through shooting the second season of the new Dallas. There's really no better way to kill J.R. Ewing. I think it's either Kristin or Kristin's daughter. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read this.

I'm grateful for my friends who always check-in with me to make sure I'm okay. I'm also grateful they are so damn funny and keep me laughing.

I'm grateful for a clean house and two kittens who do everything in their mighty powers to ruin that for me.

After reading an article in the New York Times today about how people are letting their lives be controlled by their stuff, I'm grateful each day that I have a mortgage less than half of what I qualified for and that I never worry about being able to pay my bills because I live within my means.

I'm grateful that not only have we successfully sold Nana's house in Crystal Beach, but as of Friday, Dave and I also sold the lot she and my grandfather purchased many many years ago. We sold it to a man who is eager to build a home for him and his family. I wish them all the happiness in the world.

I'm grateful for my great insurance that allows me to sleep at night knowing that if I have any medical issues, they will be covered and I won't be bankrupted by them. I'm also grateful my thyroid disease is finally being treated and that the medicine to treat it has no side effects. Eventually, I'll feel better. So they tell me.

Although it made "springing forward" a bit more difficult today, I'm really grateful for the very long late night conversation I had last night with one of my best friends. I love the conversations we get into late at night, even when it means we're both dragging the next day.

As always, I'm grateful for my family. Yes, they're a bit crazy, but they're my family and (most days) I wouldn't trade them for anyone else's. Truthfully, I don't think my family is any crazier than anyone else's. Well, mostly. Still, I'm incredibly grateful for them and I love them a whole lot.

Giving Tuesday - The Way to Truly Celebrate the Season

Is it just me or is there something kind of funky and wrong about celebrating all we're grateful for on Thanksgiving and then not even 8 hours later, fighting strangers in Walmart over a Cabbage Patch kid?

Thanksgiving.

Black Friday. (Now "celebrated" by some on Thanksgiving)

Small Business Saturday.

Cyber Monday.

Three days of shopping immediately following a day of gratitude to celebrate our blessings. And this is how we kick off the Holiday Season.

It just feels a little icky to me.

Rather than hoarding $188 96-inch flat screen TVs, when we've probably got perfectly good working televisions at home, it seems like maybe a better way to kick off the holidays and to honor all that we're grateful for would be to share some of our good fortune with others who may not be as fortunate. That would truly be spreading good cheer and would be honoring what I believe Christ stands for.

What if we had a day that was focussed on giving to the less fortunate and to charities that help? Hmmmmm.

It seems I'm not the only one who thinks that charities could use a day of love.

Giving Tuesday was created this year by the 92nd Street YMCA in New York, along with the United Nations Foundation and a number of other influential businesses and non-profits. The whole idea is to create a national day of giving to charities at the start of the giving season. Whether you give of your treasure or of your time and talent, I hope you'll take some time on Tuesday to give to a charity near and dear to your heart.

What are some ways you could honor Giving Tuesday?

• Take a bag of non-perishable food to a food pantry
• Donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (read the story about the child in the logo and why I love St. Jude's) (or your favorite charity)
• Donate to your alma mater (or mine)
• Become a Big Brother (or Big Sister)
• Find a Giving Tree and adopt a child or family this Christmas (most township offices have them)
• Foster a dog or a cat until a Forever Family can be found
• Become a Forever Family to a dog or cat
• Take some cat or dog food to a non-kill shelter
• Take some school supplies to your local school for a student who needs them
• Volunteer at your alma mater (or mine)
• Make an extra donation to your church or synagogue
• Participate in Operation Santa Claus with your local post office

The list of things you can do is endless. All it requires is a little creativity.

You can even share your giving through social media. Use the Twitter hashtag #GivingTuesday, follow @GivingTues on Twitter, or like it on Facebook.

This year, let's bring the Season of Giving back into the holidays by generously giving to charities on Giving Tuesday.

LMS Gratitude List - Thanksgiving 2012 Version

I have so much to be grateful for this year and am not entirely sure where to begin. I guess the best way is just to dive in.

I'm grateful for my family. For my mom, my dad, Dave, my cousins, and my aunts and uncles. It's no secret I think my family is pretty crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm grateful for my friends, who I believe are the family I choose. My friends are my rocks.

I'm particularly grateful for one friend who took a desperate phone call I made to him one Friday in late May.

I'm grateful for the broken heart I experienced earlier this year. And I'm even more grateful to say I'm on the other side of it now.

I'm grateful for my health. That's no small thing. The last few months have been a bit scary. I'm also incredibly grateful for my health insurance. Not having to worry about how to afford medical tests, doctor visits, or possible surgery is priceless.

I'm grateful for a job I love and that I'm really good at. Really. And I'm grateful for the opportunities that didn't come to fruition this year. If they had, I might not be in such a good place now.

I'm grateful that I got to be Betsey and Ross's mom for almost 16 years and for the past 6 months, I've gotten to be Sammy and Zoe's mom. I hope we have 16 wonderful years together too.

I'm grateful that after only 35 days on the market, we accepted an offer on Nana's house and that the sale closed today. I'm grateful for an incredibly smart broker who priced the house well and actively marketed it.

I'm grateful for you, the readers of Little Merry Sunshine. You kept reading Little Merry Sunshine even when I wasn't writing. You commented when I did. You showed concern, but never pressured me when I didn't.

By no means is this list all inclusive. My heart is so full of gratitude that it's a bit overwhelming. The bottom line is that even during the tough times, I'm incredibly blessed and when I focus on life's blessings the tough times are easier and the good times are even better.

I hope your cup runneth over with gratitude this Thanksgiving and that you're spending the day with those you love.

Thank You

You know who you are and you know what you did. XOXOXO

Owning My Own Home: The First 6 Months

Six months ago today, I woke up with a great amount of excitement and just a bit of panic. If everything went well at the final walk-through and barring any last minute surprises, I'd be a first-time homeowner before I went the day was over.

I won't tell you it all went smoothly because that would be a lie. But looking back at it all through the lens of owning my own home for 6 months, all the stress was worth it.

Within about 6 weeks of moving in, I was completely unpacked. I forced myself to live with bare walls for 2 1/2 months so I could be completely certain about the furniture placement and acquire a few important family heirlooms from my dad.

Possibly the smartest thing I did was to have my real estate agent measure each of the rooms and window and door locations and sizes during my inspection. I used her measurements to create a to-scale floor plan of each room and then drew all of my furniture to scale on separate paper and moved it all around on the floor plan until I got it right. When I moved in, I had the floor plans taped up in each room and it made placing the furniture easy peasy. I also had my entire kitchen set up before the movers arrived with my furniture. This meant I could immediately start cooking and knew where cleaning supplies, garbage bags, and toilet paper were located. All of my boxes were labeled with specific rooms with general content lists on the outside, so I could quickly unpack and not have to move boxes from room to room because they were placed correctly in the first place.

Six months later, my walls are decorated, I've got curtains in the living room and dining room (I am still curtain-less in my bedroom and office), wine has been spilled on the carpet (white, not red), I've thrown my first parties and feel settled in my home. Betsey and Ross officially have a Cat Cave under my bed, have picked their favorite pieces of furniture, and know where the warmest spots are based on the location of the sun throughout the day. They, too, have stained the carpet, but we're dealing with that. I've met a number of my neighbors and know which restaurants have the best delivery.

I've gotten into a routine in my home and I love that on the first of each month, rather than paying rent, I pay a mortgage, my condo is mine, and if I want to change the paint or the carpet or an appliance or anything else, I can do that.

Frankly, there were no fewer than a gazillion people involved in the purchase of my first home and I'm incredibly grateful for all the help and wise counsel I received. Purchasing my own home is the best decision I've made in a very long time and I couldn't be happier.

It's the Little Things . . .

I was catching up on my favorite blogs a few minutes ago when I ran across a post from my friend Elise that I'd somehow missed when she originally posted it 11 days ago. Elise is a student at Lake Forest College I've had the incredible privilege to know over the past two years. This semester, she's studying in Botswana and documenting her experience in a delightful blog, Miss Post-it Goes Global. The post, Rising to the Challenge, is about her struggle to find the little things that make her happy while learning to adjust to life in a foreign country.

Elise reminded me tonight that it's the little things that matter the most, so I thought I'd take few minutes tonight to take stock of the little things that make me the happiest.

It's the little things that make me happy . . .

• watching the sunrise in the morning and the sunset at night
• crawling into my pre-heated bed each night thanks to my heated mattress pad
• being woken at night by Betsey or Ross given me "kisses" on my eyelids
• finding a rainbow
• lunch at home in the middle of a busy work day
• a freshly washed car
• fresh white grapefruit
• freshly painted toenails
• a hug
• an ice-cold glass of water
• sitting across the dinner table from a very special friend
• a handwritten note of praise or just telling me to have a good day
• an unexpected phone call from a friend "just because"
• finding cash in my pocket, even if it's just a dollar or two
• fresh off the vine, perfectly ripe tomatoes (not the ones they sell in the store, the ones off the vine 10 minutes ago)
• tulips, stargazer lilies, and daisies
• fresh cut lavender
• a full tank of gas in my car
• sand between my toes
• a hot shower
• thunderstorms
• sitting in front of a warm fire
• the Northern Lights
• snuggling on the sofa
• a good book
• mashed potatoes with lots of butter and garlic
  
• sweet corn on the cob
• Michigan cherries
• a clean condo
• swimming
• the smile on someone's face when I do something or say something that makes them happy
• doing Random Acts of Kindness

There are many other "little things" that make me happy as well, but these are the ones that immediately come to mind. What makes me happiest is that I've experienced 17 of those items since Saturday, so in the last 4 days.

I hope you have an equally long list of little things that make you happy each day.

Today's Gratitude List

This morning I woke up to Betsey's loud purring right next to my face in the exact spot where she fell asleep last night. Ross was snuggled up next to her. It was quite the sight, but it made it challenging to get out of bed. I was comfy and warm. They were comfy and warm. All was good.

Today I'm grateful for:

1. No snow in Chicago. Seriously. We've had something like 1.5 inches of snow so far this winter. I love it because it makes driving easy, but I suppose there are people who are not so excited about this.

2. Being able to have Mom in Florida to finish taking care of Nana's house. I swear I'm going to tell you this story soon. It's even almost funny. Of course, two weeks ago, it wasn't so funny.

3. Dave's generous spirit. Have I mentioned how incredible my brother is? I have? Oh, well, then his decision to run an Ultra Marathon in Palestine next month to support free trade olive farmers is just one more bit of proof. I'll be writing more about this in the next day or two.

4. The great friend I spent a very fun and relaxed day with yesterday. A great day. Thank you.

5. It's Caucus Night in Iowa! You know how much I love politics. I can't wait to get home from work tonight, toss on some sweats, pop some popcorn, and settle in for all the analysis. In honor of the official kick-off to the 2012 Presidential Election, I'm wearing my Presidents of the United States scarf today. A friend of mine once said that politics was my porn. I'm not going to deny that. And you're not surprised. You can buy your own scarf to have for upcoming elections here. You know you want one.
I bought my scarf in 1996 when I lived in Washington DC, so it only includes Presidents up to Bill Clinton. I would love an updated scarf that included President Obama.

Getting Back to Little Merry Sunshine's Roots

As you've probably noticed, I've been fairly quiet these past few weeks on Little Merry Sunshine. It's not that I haven't thought about all of you because I have. I have actually thought about my blog and my readers quite a bit lately. I've thought about where I want to go with Little Merry Sunshine in the new year and if I even want to keep writing this blog at all.

In the end, I decided that I do want to keep writing LMS and I want to get back to the reason I started it in the first place. Little Merry Sunshine was started to celebrate what inspires me and all that I'm grateful for and that's where it's going back to. That's not to say that I won't discuss politics or sports or other things I find interesting, but I'm going to focus on the good in the world because in spite of what we are constantly bombarded with in the media, life is good, people are good, and there is much to celebrate.

So to kick off the new year, here's what I'm grateful for today:

1. Being home. I was in Florida over Christmas and I may share the trip with you soon. Let's just say it was no vacation, but I'm about at the point I can laugh about it. Being home is no small thing and I am incredibly grateful for the beautiful home I have.

2. My friends. It's my belief that friends are the family I choose. Friends enrich my life in ways I am sometimes unaware of and they are always there. You laugh with me (and sometimes at me) and cry with me. You sometimes hold me up when I don't think I have the strength to get through a challenge. So whether you're real life day-to-day friend, a social media friend or a friend I haven't seen in a decade but we keep in regular touch, I am grateful for you.

3. My family. Sure, my family makes me crazy. And yes, I wish my family was more Norman Rockwell than Norman Bates, but I love them because of their idiosyncrasies (aka psychosis). As we kick off 2012, everyone is healthy, safe, and with a solid roof over their head that they own. Believe me, that's saying something this year.

4. Betsey and Ross. Okay, I get it. It's a little "crazy cat lady" to discuss them as often as I do. I own that. It's been a tough year for them as well and I'm grateful they are both healthy senior citizens (when does their Social Security check start arriving?). Ross's diabetes are finally under control and Betsey's thyroid condition is controlled as well. Those are good, if expensive things.

5. My job. In just a few weeks, I will have been at LFGSM for 12 months. It's hard to believe because the time has flown. It's a great place to work because of the people.

6. The 2012 GOP Presidential Candidates. Seriously. They provide me with endless laughter every day.

7. My own health. I got serious about working out earlier this year and it made a huge difference in how I feel. Unfortunately, that got derailed earlier this fall, but I'm getting back to it now. Well, tomorrow. Really.

8. Having the day off to spend just hanging out. After my trip to Florida, just having a day to myself is glorious.

I think that about covers it this morning. What are you grateful for today?

Thanksgiving Gratitude List 2011

One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is stopping to count my blessings. Once again, my cup runneth over with good fortune. Of course, that's not to say I haven't faced hurdles this year; I just choose to focus on bountiful goodness in my life.

• This year, I'm grateful my mom is home from Florida. I'm grateful for all the years she selflessly gave to caring for Nana, but I'm grateful she's getting her life back. I'm especially grateful doctors caught her breast cancer when they were still able to remove all of it this summer.
• Sitting in my very own home is simply awesome and I'm grateful for the confluence of a horrible housing market and record low interest rates that allowed me to buy rather than rent.
• I'm grateful for my Forever Friends. They are my touchstone and keep me from losing my mind most days. They make me laugh, force me outside my comfort zone, and best of all don't let me get caught inside my head, which I'm prone to do.
• Betsey and Ross are still the best snuggle kitties ever. I'm grateful that in spite of this year of health challenges for the both of them, they are both doing quite well and most of the time don't know they're sick. I'm also truly grateful for their vets who remain focussed on Betsey and Ross's best interests rather than the bottom line. I appreciate that they have not easily given up on figuring out what was wrong with each of them and are now finding the right balance of treatment for them both, without bankrupting me.
• I'm grateful for my health and good insurance and I love the way my body feels each time I hit the gym. To that end, I'm grateful to the friend who encouraged me to join the gym and kicks my ass when I lose motivation.
• I'm grateful I got to spend the day with my dad a few weeks ago. We don't see each other very often, so it was a nice treat. Most years we only see each other at Watervale and at Thanksgiving and since I'm spending Thanksgiving with my mom this year, I'm really grateful we could get together.
• I'm grateful for the 60,000 unique visits Little Merry Sunshine has had in the past 4 years and 4 1/2 months. That's right, 60,000. You made that happen on Sunday and I missed it. Just 7 months ago we were at 50,000 visitors. What shocks me most about this new milestone is that I've hardly been writing this year. I guess that also means I'm grateful I worked through the writers block that has kept me silent more often than not.
• I'm grateful that when my car was broken into almost two weeks ago there was no damage and that my observant neighbor found my stuff two days later. I also appreciate the detective who called me today to let me know the status of the investigation of the multiple car break-ins last week.

I hope each of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving with those you love and that your cup is overflowing with blessings this year.

Good News!

As I was walking to the elevator this morning on my way to work, my neighbor, Bud, from the second floor was emerging and said I was just the person he was looking for. Now I only know a small handful of my neighbors and it was 8am, so I couldn't imagine what in the world Bud could be needing me for at that hour.

He said he thought he'd found my gym bag and wanted me to come to his condo and take a look. Sure enough, as soon as we walked in, there was my bag sitting on the floor with my fleece, one of my Croc flip flops, and my cosmetic bag of toiletries sticking out. I couldn't believe it.

Beaming with excitement, but hesitant to touch the bag, I asked where he'd found it. I have looked in the garbage dumpsters in the complex a few times on the off-chance the thief realized it contained nothing of value and dumped it or dumped parts of it. Bud said that he saw it on our street when he came home last night about 10:00 and picked it up first to remove it from the road, but then realized it was probably mine based on how I'd described it at our condo association meeting on Monday night. Because I came home at 9:30 last night and did not encounter it, I think the thief dumped it within that 30 minute window. Of course, it also further solidifies my belief that the thief lives among us.

I thanked Bud profusely, took my bag and called the police on my way to work to report it found. Not knowing if they would need it, I did not stop to see if everything was in it or not. I've now spoken to them and they did not need it for anything, but asked me to let them know if I found anything not belonging to me in the bag.

Quite fortunately, everything was in my bag except my goggles and iPod charger and FM transmitter. Once I do some laundry tonight and wash all my workout clothes, I'm going back to the gym tomorrow. I'll be there just a little more enthusiastically and grateful for my new neighbors who have my back.

Life is Like a Cup of Coffee

For all of my coffee loving friends (and everyone else too) . . .



P.S. I know I've been completely absent from LMS and I have appreciated the kind notes from my loyal readers concerned about the absence, but I promise LMS really coming back in the next couple of weeks. I haven't had a home computer or internet for two months, but as of next weekend, I will and then I'll start blogging again regularly. Trust me, I've missed Little Merry Sunshine and you!

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Day 1 of Birthapalooza was FABULOUS!

I should be exhausted. It's almost midnight and I'm completely wide awake after a spectacular birthday. Well, after Day 1 of Birthapalooza. There's still 2 more days to go.

To be sure, it started out a little iffy with a bad migraine and LOTS of nausea. Don't get any funny ideas, it was just my body telling me that it really is going to fall apart any second.

But then it got better in a huge hurry. Birthday text messages, tweets, Facebook messages, emails, cards, at least 5 serenades of "Happy Birthday" and gifts. Plus, cupcakes, lunch, and a fabulous dinner followed by chocolate cake at the beach!

Plus, the Stargazer Lilies in my garden bloomed today!
If I'm ever feeling down about myself, all I need to do is go back to all those generous messages and feel all the love all over again. My cup completely runneth over. My birthday was better than anything I could have imagined and only Day 1 is over. In fact, as we stood at the beach tonight, I searched for that first star of the evening (you know, to make a wish - doesn't everyone do that?), but when I found it, I realized there was nothing to wish for. I have everything I ever wanted that truly matters. So I just stood there feeling grateful because I am truly blessed.

50,000

Late last night, Little Merry Sunshine had its 50,000th visitor.

It took us 3 years, 9 months and five days to hit that milestone. And all I can say is WOW.

WOW.

50,000 people have read Little Merry Sunshine. For real.

When I started writing this little blog on July 1, 2007, I hoped someone would read it. Anyone. And I hoped that it would be read by someone other than my mom. That's not to say she couldn't read it (She does. Daily.), just that I wanted other people to read it too. And you do!

To misquote Sally Field, "You like me! You REALLY like me!"

In all seriousness, I'm so grateful to all of my Little Merry Sunshine readers. Thank you for coming back each day. Thank you for sending me texts saying "I haven't received LMS for a week or so. Is everything okay?" Thank you for telling me when I missed the mark and for telling me when I've nailed it. Thank you for being polite in our disagreements over politics. And to #50,000, I especially appreciate you for a million reasons. You've got the formula for being in all the significant places in my life and I'm grateful for it. :)

Feel that? That's me giving each of you a huge hug of gratitude.

Here's to the next 50,000!

World Gratitude Day

Brad Meltzer alerted me to the fact that today is World Gratitude Day. Started in 1965, the day was created to celebrate globalism and gratitude because the world needed a unifying holiday.

Participants in World Gratitude Day are encouraged to hold a Gratitude Gathering of their choosing, in which each guest gives thanks in whatever way is appropriate for them. The essential part is that the emotion of gratitude be globally shared.

In that spirit, I'm holding a Gratitude Gathering on Little Merry Sunshine and anyone reading LMS today (or any day) will be part of the gathering. Please feel free to share your gratitude list in the comments or you can choose to privately reflect on all that you are thankful for today.

However you choose to celebrate, I encourage you to carry gratitude into every encounter you have today. If you're stuck in traffic and normally that would bubble up as frustration, choose instead to take the opportunity to breath deeply and be grateful for a few minutes of relaxation. If the kids are arguing over who gets to play with a certain toy, rather than yelling at them, thank them for teaching themselves the art of negotiation. If your boss is being unreasonable, be grateful you still have a job in this economy. In Chicago, this last day of Summer has brought us simply beautiful weather. Walk around the block, listening for the chirping birds and be grateful for still being in shorts and a t-shirt.

Interested in what celebrities are grateful for? Check out The Gratitude List and follow them on Twitter.

My Gratitude List - September 21, 2010 (in no particular order)
1. The warm breeze blowing through all my windows as I type this.
2. My family and friends (who I affectionately refer to as the family I chose - if you read LMS you're part of my "family").
3. Finding home.
4. The tomatoes I picked from my vegetable garden this morning.
5. The beautiful flowers still filling my flower garden just outside my living room door.
6. That I remembered to pay the water bill this morning before it became late.
7. That I coincidentally was attending the Village Board Meeting last night on the same night one of my good friends was being recognized as a Workforce Development Scholarship winner. I had no idea until I walked in the door and saw her standing there. I couldn't be prouder of her and her accomplishment.
8. The last two weeks I have had with my mom. They have been two really good weeks. I'll be a little sad on Thursday.
9. That Betsey and Ross are pretty healthy and still good companions.

I'll probably think of more things I'm grateful for as the day goes on and I'll be back to update the list. What are you grateful for today?

May You Be Blessed

I've written 900 posts on Little Merry Sunshine since it all began July 1, 2007 (that's right, I forgot my own 3rd blogiversary earlier this month). Some posts have been incredibly personal; some have been funny (maybe even a bit snarky too); some have been written in outrage; some inspire me (and hopefully you too); some have been about nothing at all. I've shared the highs and lows and everything in between. I've taken breaks, but always returned. Through it all, you kept reading and I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me.

To celebrate 900 posts, I wanted to give you a gift that expressed just how much each of my readers means to me. The video below is my gift to you. So if you read LMS via email, just click here and visit the website. Trust me, it's worth it.

Nana Sent Me A Stargazer Lily*

Among the many beautiful plants in my garden, I have two Stargazer Lillies. I'm not really sure where they came from, although I seem to recall there were more in previous years. Now there's just two.

And I've been waiting patiently for them to bloom all summer. I had almost given up on them blooming at all. Until this morning. When I walked out this morning, I discovered one of the orchids in full bloom. I had no reason to believe this Stargazer Lily was going to bloom last night, but there it was this morning in all its glory.

I have to admit that my eyes welled up with just a few tears (which I didn't actually cry, I just became a little misty) and knew Nana had sent me this gorgeous gift of nature to keep me focused on all that I'm grateful for today rather than get stuck in thinking about how much I miss her.

Thank you Nana. Even now you put many smiles on my face.

*Thanks to my friend Christy for informing me that my beautiful flower isn't an orchid, but a Stargazer Lily. Even better.

UPDATED 7/16/2010: On Wednesday, I woke up to TWO beautiful Stargazer Lillies. I'm so in love with both of them and am convinced Nana sent them.

My Cab Driver Bill

I have mentioned him before, but I have never blogged about him.

I met Bill a few years ago when I called for a taxi to the airport. He arrived in a brand new black Dodge Magnum that was sparkling clean on the inside. We talked all the way to O'Hare and I learned that he primarily worked for himself, but sometimes did some extra work for the cab company when they were really busy. As we drove, Bill's cell phone kept ringing with people calling for his personal livery services, many of them days out. From the little bit I could hear, each call was from a regular customer Bill knew well.

Since that first trip to O'Hare, I've never used another cab service. Most times he takes me to O'Hare, it's a cheerful trip, but he has also seen me on some of my most difficult days. Last summer, he drove me to O'Hare when I was flying to Florida for Nana's funeral and then each of my trips in August and September to help my mom. Those were really difficult trips for me, but Bill made them just a little bit better with his cheerfulness and just listening as I shared stories of my Nana with him. Being in his car feels like riding with a good friend.

In fact, that's how Bill perceives his job. He's a retired police officer, although I can't remember where now, and he told me when we first met that he loves his career now because he hangs out with friends all day as he drives them around. How can you not love that attitude?

On the way to O'Hare in August, I shared a story of how Nana received a box of chocolates at her retirement. The chocolates were nothing extraordinary, probably just a box of Whitman's Sampler, but I'll never forget the way Nana held that box like it was the Ark of the Covenant or some other treasure as she looked the man who gave it to her square in the eye and with sincerity and excitement said to him, "Oh! A box of fine chocolates! This is JUST what I've wanted!" She had this way of making you feel like $10 million. A few minutes later, we pulled into O'Hare and Bill opened up the glove compartment and handed me an envelope. Inside was a dark chocolate candy bar with the most fancy wrapping. I just looked at him with tears rolling down my face and made Nana's words my own. I don't know if the chocolate was high quality or not and it doesn't matter. That night, when I had a moment of peace to myself after the first of many difficult days, I unwrapped that bar and bit into what was the most incredible piece of chocolate I will ever have in my life.

Bill sends a quarterly newsletter to all of his clients. I look forward to these mailings because they are always uplifting and always hand addressed (who does that still?). The winter letter just arrived and on the outside, was written "The Wonderful Jessica Gardner." In a strange twist of fate this morning, I received a bunch of personal mail (as opposed to bills). Guess which envelope got opened first?

This is Bill's winter letter.

PRICELESS GIFTS
by Bill Hammers

My fall letter this year contained a true story told through the eyes of a cab driver. My winter letter is also a true story of mine that I thought you might enjoy.

Exiting our apartment one day I noticed our neighbor, Jean from across the hall, at the same time, about to pass me by with her garbage to deposit in the garbage room. She appeared to be in her late 70's, very frail looking with a scowl on her face.

Our eyes met, I smiled and said, "I'll let you by if you smile." Her eyes squinted, her mouth became smaller and she forced a half smile dismissing me as she passed by. As she went by I said, "next time it's a hug I'll want!" I remembered all the while other neighbors in the building telling me that this particular lady was "...an old crab...," and they didn't want to bother with her.

Our next encounter was on our elevator. I mentioned to Jean that frequently Kathy (my wife) and I dine out, and we'd be glad to bring something back for her if she'd like. Cautiously, she said, "yes...that would be nice."

So the ritual began - dinner in a Styrofoam container, a knock on her door followed by the container being left by her door, me running back to our apartment before she opened her door.

When Kathy cooked for us, she'd always make extra and we'd leave Jean her "surprise" package covered with foil at her door followed by the "knock" and retreat.

Weeks later Jean called and invited us to her apartment for a glass of wine. We were delighted. Her place was furnished in what appeared to be very rich looking painting and furniture. We sat down and she began telling us her story. She explained that at this time in her life she no longer had any relatives or friends left. She then proceeded to tell us that she knew she didn't have a lot of time left. After about a half-hour of small talk Jean said, "I was once invited out on a date and had a dress made for it, but he stood me up and I never wore it again." As she spoke she kept looking downward shaking her head. Jean then looked up, smiled and said to my wife, "Kathy, I'd like you to have this dress." Stunned, my wife accepted as we both started tearing up.

Jean then asked me if I'd be able to take her to the hospital when her emphysema flared up, because, she stated "...the paramedics hurt me trying to life me onto the stretcher..." Over the following years, I did take hero n a number of occasions.

During those years, Jean would call Kathy over to her apartment and give her dolls she had from Macy's that were never even out of their boxes because she knew we had granddaughters.

Months later, our phone rang very late at night. My wife answered and handed the phone to me saying it was Jean and she wanted to talk to me. Jean explained, "Bill, I'm not going to make it through the night and I'm afraid to die alone!"

We talked about almost anything and everything that popped into our minds. Nothing profound mind you, just talked.

The next few days I tried to get information from the hospital about how Jean was doing, but because I wasn't a relative, none was given to me. Finally, I was lucky to speak with someone who, after I explained how I knew Jean, told me she had passed away two nights before.

Weeks later walking back from Jewel across from our apartment, another neighbor from our building also stopped by the red light, and questioned me about Jean and if I had talked to her prior to her passing. I explained we did, Jean was a very private person unlike how she was perceived by most. I went on to say that another neighbor in our building asked me about our relationship with jean and hinted as to what, if anything, Jean had left us. I explained both Kathy and I had several conversations with Jean and Kathy was given a brand new dress over 25 years old, and I, well I received her last phone call.

Jean, wherever you are, thank you for your "crabby" old smile at our first encounter; you taught both Kathy and I what priceless gifts are really all about - God Bless You!

--------------------
I could tell you many more Bill stories, but we'd be here all day. Suffice it to say, I think the world of him.

If you need cab service and want to feel like you're riding with family, call Bill. You won't have a better ride to O'Hare. He's not the cheapest, but his rates are very competitive and for the service he provides, it's a steal. Oh, and he lives in downtown Arlington Heights, so when you use his service, you're keeping your money local by supporting a small business in our community.

Bill Hammers
Time Bandit Taxi/Limo
847-420-6664

Oh, and tell him I referred you. It's the least I can do for all he's done for me. He's not just my cab driver. Bill is my friend.

Today I'm Grateful For . . . Thanksgiving 2009 Edition

Today is Thanksgiving, a day we all pause to be grateful for the abundance in our lives. No matter who we are or what our circumstances, I know that we each have an incredible list of blessings.

This year, my blessings include:

• My brother. Dave and I have become an unbreakable team since Nana's death. He is my sounding board when I get frustrated with all I have to do to get her estate closed and he has the courage to tell me the things I don't always want to hear in ways that make me listen. He also never complains about the "honey do" list of projects around my house that I always have when he visits.
  
• Little Merry Sunshine and Remembering Frances. Both blogs have helped keep me sane this year as I've had to navigate the unfamiliar territory of mourning. The readers and commenters of both blogs have given me strength, made me laugh, and made me think. Without you reading my blogs, I'd really just be talking to myself.
  
• Nana having 92 years and 359 days of a beautiful life and the vast majority of it in good health. I'm grateful for the life she lived, the experiences she had, and her Horatio Alger-attitude. I think of the many life lessons she taught me on a daily basis and smile. I look around at the legacy she left and am proud to be part of it.
• Mom being able to spend time with Nana these past few years. Mom may not have always been able to do all she wanted, but the relationship they forged and the bonds they shared are priceless. No one was a better advocate for Nana than Mom was. Without her fighting for Nana and standing up to doctors, Nana would have died a very painful and drawn-out death.
• My own resilience. I've heard it said that God doesn't give you more than you can handle and the last few months have shown me that I grossly underestimated my own strength.
• The World's Greatest Friends. Some of them have been life long friends and some of them have come into my life more recently. Some of them I only know through Facebook or blogging. But they all make me better.
  
• My business. I am grateful beyond words for the flexibility I have, knowing that my efforts are rewarded over and over again, and that I have a positive impact on the lives of others.
• Betsey and Ross and their continued good health. The vet said they look 8 rather than their 13 1/2 years. They are spunky and loyal and loving.
  

Even though I sometimes have a difficult time staying positive when the world feels overwhelming, I know that in truth, my cup runneth over with blessings and it's my job to find those blessings everyday.

What are you grateful for today?

A Season of Gratitude

I just love this idea I read about in the Chicago Tribune this morning.

Can you imagine what would happen if we all spent the next 37 days celebrating gratitude and being thankful for the richness in our lives? No matter what our individual circumstances, we all have more to be grateful for than we realize. I know that for a lot of of people, the holidays are a time of vast loneliness and sadness, but by focusing on the positive and reaching out to say thank you, I think that seasonal depression could be cured.

What I've learned about gratitude over the years is that thanking people and showing appreciation makes others happy, but it also enriches my own life beyond measure.

A commenter on the Tribune's story says there is a website called ThankingOfYou.com. I just visited it. Go and be uplifted. Post your own story or just read others. You'll leave happier for all the kindness in the world.

Calendar of Gratitude: 37 Days of Thanks
How about celebrating the holidays by giving thanks, one day at a time?

By Barbara Mahany, Chicago Tribune, November 22, 2009

It's the season of too, too much. Too much to do. Too many places to be. Too much for just one run-ragged soul.

Well, here's Plan B.

How about transforming this into a Season of Gratitude, one in which you put into practice the daily habit of being thankful, and doing so in ways unmistakable?

We've created a get-you-started game plan -- actions you can take or thoughts to consider -- that stretches from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. Give 'em a whirl. Or invent your own.

Nov. 26 Sure, it's a crazy day in the kitchen, but try to carve out some time to take a walk anywhere you can hear birds sing or the crunch of leaves beneath your shoes. Whisper thank you to the Earth for all its bounty. And while you're at it, compose a list of all that's been good since last Thanksgiving.

Nov. 27 (Eid al-Adha) Make this One More Day of Giving Day. Take some leftovers to someone who could use a lift. And a turkey on rye.

Nov. 28 What if you had only one day left to live? Whom would you call to thank? Start dialing.

Nov. 29 Track down and thank a beloved teacher. Write a letter telling her/him a lesson you learned that you've never forgotten.

Nov. 30 Talk to someone whose life is bumpier than yours and ask what she or he feels grateful for. Remember how blessed you are.

Dec. 1 "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'Thank you,' that would be enough." -- German philosopher Meister Eckhart

Dec. 2 Tonight is the first full moon of the month, called "Long Night Moon," "Moon Before Yule" or "Full Cold Moon" by American Indians. Take a moon walk, and consider the gift of that night light that waxes and wanes but always guides our way.

Dec. 3 When gathered with family or friends, tell each person one thing you've learned from him/her. Give everyone a turn to do the same.

Dec. 4 Is there someone at work who makes you smile every day? Write an anonymous note of praise to that person's boss. Leaving no trace of who wrote it, drop a copy of the note on that someone's desk.

Dec. 5 Teach the children in your life to say thank you. When you tuck them in bed, ask what they're most thankful for that happened that day.

Dec. 6 (Feast of St. Nick) Be thankful for the good dose of childlike wonder that can still be sparked in your heart.

Dec. 7 Before you leave the house this morning, remember to be thankful for the place that keeps you safe from life's storms.

Dec. 8 Write a letter of thanks to your parents, or someone who was your "other mother," even if they're no longer alive. Share the letter with your own family.

Dec. 9 Declare today Hold Open Doors and Yield for Traffic Day. (If you don't drive, give up your seat on the bus or the train.) Think of how warm it makes you feel when someone does the same for you, and offer up thanks to all the unsung souls who've paved your way with kindness.

Dec. 10 Consider a life without complaints. Begin today. Cut yourself off if you hear yourself starting to whine, or complain about just about anything. Recruit anti-complaint compatriots. Maybe even launch an army of non-complainers. Try to make it all day without one lousy complaint. Check out AComplaintFreeWorld.org, a Web site that aims to end complaining.

Dec. 11 (Hanukkah begins at sundown) It's the season for candlelighting. Kindle lights according to your tradition, or begin a new one. As you watch the last of the candle burn, and the smoke furl upward, whisper thanks for a wish you hope comes true.

Dec. 12 Delay dinner just long enough so everyone feels hungry. When you sit down to eat, be thankful for all the times you don't go hungry.

Dec. 13 Start a collective "Season of Gratitude" book. Leave out construction paper and supplies for page making. Have everyone in the house (visitors too) create a page of what they're thankful for. It might be in the form of a poem, drawing or words cut from a magazine. Tuck into a binder. Leave it out for everyone to enjoy.

Dec. 14 Word has it that the No. 1 most sought-after item at plenty of homeless shelters, besides coats and mittens, is deodorant. Toothpaste and soap are always welcome too. Why not donate deodorant (as well as other useful supplies) at the nearest shelter?

Dec. 15 If you spot someone in the armed forces in line for a sandwich or drink, consider picking up the tab.

Dec. 16 When you open your eyes this morning, think of three things for which you are deeply thankful. Live a grateful day.

Dec. 17 Ever think how hard it is to deliver all that holiday mail? Greet your mail carrier with a jazzy pair of thick socks. And a note: "Thanks for all your schlepping."

Dec. 18 Place paper and pencil on everyone's pillow, with instructions to write one thing that made them purr like a cat today. At breakfast, read the notes aloud.

Dec. 19 Be Kind to Your Feathered Friends Day. Grab pine cones, smear them with peanut butter, roll in birdseed and stud with dried cranberries. Tie with a loop of red yarn or plain string. Hang outside on trees or bushes.

Dec. 20 Take a walk and get a full dose of sunshine. Consider the bounty that begins with the rising of each day's burning orb of solar heat.

Dec. 21 (winter solstice) Celebrate the darkness. Gather a few good souls after sundown, or go it alone. Make a bonfire or simply light candles. Tradition has it that fires are sparked on the longest night to help the sun get its job done. Give thought to the life that's birthed out of darkness. Remember: Through darkness come shards of light. Be thankful for dark spells.

Dec. 22 Begin a perpetual gratitude list. Whenever you think of it, jot down something for which you are eternally grateful. On bad days, when you can't think of a thing to be thankful for, read your list.

Dec. 23 Is there a checker at your market who almost always makes you laugh? Write a thank-you note, and hand it over just as you're leaving.

Dec. 24 Think of someone in your neighborhood who could use a little extra cheer (or who has been superkind to you). Drop off the fixings for a grand breakfast.

Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) Sometimes on the days billed as Big Ones, it's hard to live up to expectations. Try this: Get up before anyone else. Light a candle. Look out the window and quietly count your blessings.

Dec. 26 (Kwanzaa begins/Boxing Day) Once upon a time, this was a day for gifting all those who had to toil on Christmas Day. Why not revive the tradition by thinking of someone who keeps your world afloat throughout the year? Maybe it's a bus or taxi driver. Or your doctor's answering service. Write a love note to your personal lifesaver.

Dec. 27 Send a different kind of thank you. Instead of just writing a thank-you note for some treasure you received for the holidays, take a picture and make it into a postcard. Scribble a few words about how much the something meant to you, and drop your postcard in the mail.

Dec. 28 Find a copy of "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" (Alfred A Knopf, 2009, $27.95), by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. You'll find lists of organizations to aid needy women around the world. LMS NOTE: There's also a Half the Sky website where you'll find valuable information.

Dec. 29 Share a cup of cocoa with a beloved child and explain just why you consider him or her a never-ending treasure. Seal the deal with a boa-constricting hug.

Dec. 30 Think of something extraordinarily kind someone once did for you. Be on the lookout for someone you can gift with random kindness.

Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve) Here's your once-in-a-blue-moon chance to wind up the year bursting with gratitude. Yup, it's the second full moon of the month, so consider enlisting a Once-in-a-Blue-Moon Brigade. Gather friends, cook up a big pot of soup or chili, with all the fixings. Deliver to your nearest soup kitchen, or a shut-in in your neighborhood.

Jan. 1 (New Year's Day) A fabulous day to begin living a full year of gratitude. How about considering the blessings you bring to this world? Yes, you. If you fill yourself to the brim with a sense of how grateful you are for yourself and your own goodness, think how much easier it will be to discover gratitude all around you in the year that's just unfolding.