Gratitude

When I started this blog, I wanted to make people smile. I also want to write about everyday life. Everyday life is what I get most days. I don't get big, WOW events, thankfully.

I've been feeling gratitude lately and a deeper sense of happiness. I think it started a few months ago when a lot of turmoil and anxious feelings surfaced regarding my retirement date and pension.  Until very recently, I had about 4 1/2 years until retirement. It's been that way for the past 25 1/2 years. And then reality stepped in a few months ago and changed that. The pension is now not the solid rock I always thought it was. I get to work longer at the job I fortunately love before I can call it a day.

That got me to thinking. I've had things I wanted to do when I retire, but I always had them on the back burner in my mind... until I retire.... and then the retirement date changed.... and that set off a whole new train trip through my mind of pondering life, and how some people die a lot earlier than they ever thought they would..... and I wondered, "What if I die earlier? I'll never have done those things I've always wanted to do." It occurred to me nobody said I have to wait till the magical retirement.

So I'm not. I got out my mental "what I want to do list" and I've been going down it and pursuing the things that speak to me with the most passion.

I want to work with stray animals at an animal shelter. I know you could never tell by reading my blog that I like animals, but I do. :-)  I have such a heart for them.  I've started helping cats with the S.A.A.P. organization once a week. I LOVE it. Who ever thought scooping poop could be so rewarding?! I love helping them, loving them, and getting them ready for their adoptive persons. It's an honor that I'm allowed to do this.

God laid on my heart a strong passion for older generations. I've enjoyed the elderly for a very long time. When I was much younger, I volunteered in a retirement home. I wasn't ready then. The reality of life for them was too much for me.

Lately, God's been whispering in my ear again and the desire to help the elderly and the forgotten has gotten strong again. I checked out a nursing home a few months ago, but it didn't really click with me. Then a few weeks ago I felt God laying on my heart to go out of my comfort zone and find a place that takes care of not only the elderly but also the people totally forgotten about, the people who never get a visit.

I can not imagine any worse poverty than being alone and forgotten.

I found the home where it feels completely right for me to volunteer at. I went there the other day to fill out my application. Upon entering the lobby, I encountered an elderly woman with a walker, waiting for the elevator. I smiled at her and said hello. She looked at me with an amazing quiet dignity and nodded a smile. I can not explain it to you, but her simple act of kindness toward me touched me deeply.

Life lately has been an adventure of listening for God's whisper and then following it. When I do, it's like this internal sunshine floods my being. I am growing to crave it.

Blessings :-)