Sunday 3/14/10 - "GIVING THANKS"

"GIVING THANKS"

I have so much to be thankful for.

I have learned how to move through difficult times knowing they will pass. When I am upset I can turn to my sponsor, friends, and tools of the program to guide me through and back to happiness. Everything passes. I no longer feel hopeless. I have learned I 'always' have choices. I have found freedom.

I am filled with joy that after 3 years I am still blessed with the spiritual gift of a healing touch. It is one of the most precious gifts I have ever received with the exception of my birth and my sobriety.

I am thankful that on Wednesday after a women's Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, I was in the ladies room when a girl I know casually was there and was talking about the deep pain she was feeling on her leg. She had an accident when her dog's metal chain leash got wrapped around her lower leg and cut into it. I am grateful that I was aware of that still small voice within that told me to ask her to let me see it which she did. I had the courage to step out in faith and ask her if I could place my hand on it. She agreed and I did. Now it is Saturday and I saw her at another women's AA meeting. She told me her leg is still healing, but the pain has been gone since I touched her. I cannot describe the love that this fills me with. I gave the credit to God and accepted that my part was the willingness to be a channel of God's healing power. Life is good.

I am grateful that today I am glad that I was born and I treasure my life. I spent many years wishing I had never been born or wishing it was over. Those days are gone forever as long as I continue to work the Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon programs God has given me to restore me to sanity and a life of value.

I am happy that daughter is in classes all weekend learning about insurance and she is enthusiastic about what she is learning and seems genuinely happy.

I look forward to my son being in town for a very brief visit this weekend and we will have lunch with him on Monday. I will be happy to see him.

Once a year around St. Patrick's Day Cracker Barrel has a wonderful corned beef and cabbage meal. We have dined on it more than once and always love it. Steve and I will do so tomorrow and I can't wait. It will be delicious.

I give thanks for the cool breezes that have been blowing frequently in this part of my world. I feel the spirit in the wind.

I delight in the daily walks daughter's dog and I take. Last night we looked up more information on Rhodesian Ridgebacks. (Lucky is a Ridgeback and German Shepard mix.) They need exercise and an opportunity to run at full speed each day. Most days he will run in a figure 8 around our back yard so fast it takes my breath away. He loves our 20 minute walks. He is a hunting dog and has extremely keen hearing and sense of smell and he smells every square inch along our route. The information also said they are a very dominant breed so the owners need to be sure they make it clear who is in charge. We are. So we are working on reasserting who is master here. Lucky was getting into the habit of acting like he was in charge. Get the picture? :)

I could not wish for better weather. After heavy winds and rain all day yesterday today was full of brilliant sunshine with highs in the low 70s and breezy. Perfect!!!

Heard in a meeting and thankful for it:

Time repairs the clock that dragged when I first got sober.

If God brought you to it, He will see you through it.

I am so grateful for my readers, their comments, their blogs, and their obvious care and love.

Prayer Girl

(Photo credit: Spring Breeze by woodsac@deviantart.com)