A GENTLE REMINDER...

Well, this is a record....writing in this blog again so soon....but, my last blog was a bit down and I'm over that now...as always, I bounce back.

I whine sometimes about missing New Mexico...and, I do miss it....but, then I get a gentle reminder about why I came back here.

Today my youngest daughter called on me to take her and my littlest granddaughter to the pediatrician. Little Lili was sick, poor baby and my daughter didn't have her van today. My 13 year old granddaughter, Elaina, came along, too.

When we were finished I wanted to take them to a Chinese buffet for dinner, but Lili was so sick and Janeen decided to just go straight home with her.

Kind of on the spur of the moment when I dropped them off at home, I decided to take Elaina and go to the restaurant. We don't get much time together and I thought it would be fun.
It was.
She's delightful, interesting, intelligent, thoughtful, loving, kind and loooooooves animals, especially dogs. As we were sitting there eating, I asked her what she wanted to do someday as a career. Without hesitation she said she wanted to train dogs.
I can't think of anything she'd be better suited for, as she has a genuine knack with dogs and they respond well to her.

We discussed at great length the care and training of dogs and it was wonderful listening to her.....her beautiful blue eyes just lit up and I had to smile at her enthusiasm about her favorite subject. Any dog who gets her as their trainer is in for a treat!

As we talked, I realized ....once again....why I came back here to Ohio, and how lucky I am that I had something priceless to come back to!

My children and my grandchildren are why I came back. Even if I was a millionaire and could go back to NM, I would not because my family are here and I could not imagine being away from them...especially during the Holidays when we all get together....but, even days like today when I was here when my daughter needed me, or on days when my oldest daughter stops by just to say hi and spends a little time, or my son and I get together at our favorite restaurant for lunch.....simple, everyday things like that; those things that make life worthwhile; those priceless moments that all too often aren't fully appreciated unless you don't have them anymore....and we all know how suddenly that can be taken away.

The having-to-move thing? A minor irritation, as important as a drop of water in the ocean. Not having my family around? A genuine tragedy!

Tomorrow is promised to no one....I learned that lesson a long time ago....so let's never forget that we only have this moment and let's not waste time whining about the stupid, small things that pass in a flash.

I will make my new house a home....just like I did with the house I'm in now....just like I always do, and I will be grateful that I have a place to lay my head at night that is warm, safe and comfortable when there are so many who don't have that luxury.
And I will continue to be grateful that I have my wonderful family close by to brighten up my home!

Thanks again for the gentle reminder, Lord.