Yeah, it’s one of THOSE days.
I’m grumpy. I’m tired. I’m worn out. And now I gotta think of all the things I have to be grateful for. I find myself feeling much like a preschooler whose parent is trying to coerce her into doing the thing she hates most: “I don’t want to!” *crossing arms over chest*
“But it’s good for you!” my patient Father reminds me.
“Humph!” is my response. *turning around backwards, looking away*
“You’ll thank Me for this someday,” my gracious Father prods me.
“Yeah, right!” I respond, rolling my eyes.
“Come on, give it a try,” my loving Father nudges me.
Oh, all right. Whatever. If it’ll get You off my back, I’ll do it. Okay?? Are you happy now?
I guess I should be grateful for the little sleep I’ve been getting each night.  Hey, a full 8 hours would be nice, but 2 hours here and there is more than nothing. I swear, having an old dog is like having a newborn!
I guess I should be grateful for how You’re providing for us financially. Sure, having a little cushion each month would be great, and having a little extra in savings would be more than great, but paying our bills each month and having food on the table and presents under the Christmas tree is more than some people can do.
I guess I should be grateful that Matt’s chemo is going as well as it is. I’d really prefer he not have to go through chemo, not have even the mild side effects, but not dealing with mouth sores or nausea or whacked-out taste buds is a blessing.
I guess I should be grateful that Matt’s cancer isn’t more serious. Frankly, I’d rather not have him have cancer at all – of any kind – “good cancer” or not. I mean, if God is just going to heal him, why do we have to go through this? On the other hand, knowing that we have hope of full recovery is a lifeline many others do not have.
I guess I should be grateful for my job. I’d like to see you say that after listening to endless versions of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, “Jingle Bells”, and “Away in A Manger”, all played with full gusto, at full volume. Despite butchered Christmas carols, I get to stay home and do what I love most of all to do…which is something a lot of other moms can’t do.
I guess I should be grateful for Matt’s job. I mean, a bonus check worth more than a mortgage payment would feel like winning the lottery, but at least he got a bonus, he has health insurance, he has a job…which in these tough economic times is more than a lot of Americans can say.
I guess I should be grateful for my kids. I mean, it would be nice to be able to drive somewhere without the bickering in the back seat, or put a present under the tree without them asking, “Is that for ME?” or have a meal without the invariable, “What’s that green/red/brown/orange stuff?”, but if that’s the worst my kids give me, it’s a far cry from the anguish other parents are dealing with.
I guess I should be grateful I haven’t gained any weight over the past 7 weeks. Sure, I still have a long ways to go before I reach my goal weight, and it would be really nice to actually LOSE some weight, but it is nice to know I can indulge in the occasional sweet without gaining 5 pounds.
So, yeah, I may not feel very grateful today, but that doesn’t change the fact that I still have a lot to be grateful for. Maybe it’s time I put that wet blanket in the dryer.