08.23.2024 | Ordinary Friday

It's a lovely 57-degrees outside this morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  A mix of clouds and sunshine fill the skies.  We should see temps a little more normal for this time of year in the upper 80s.  Still not bad for August in the Lou!

I am filled with gratitude this morning.  Gratitude for this amazing life I've been gifted because I certainly do not deserve the blessings I have.  Gratitude for relatively good health.  Gratitude for amazing family and friends.  Amazing neighbors and the kind strangers who often stop and chat while I'm out weeding.

I am thankful that I now have the opportunity and freedom to be the best self I have ever been.  And, hopefully, encourage others as well.  Emily Dickenson said, "We turn not older with years, but newer every day." It took a while for that to truly sink in as there are some days I do not feel very new.  But I get it.  We are gifted new opportunities every single day.  We are not too old to seize those opportunities and make the world a little bit better by our efforts.

A friend asked this week how I was doing?  I laughed and said, "Well, I can't ski anymore with these old arthritic knees and a bad hip.  But, then again, I never skied before and never really wanted to!"  The truth is I can do most things, it simply takes me a bit longer than before.  Honestly, that's good!  I don't have to rush or hurry anymore.  I rest when I need it.  I stop when before I start hurting too much.  Dr. B always tells me it will still be here tomorrow. If not then, then the next day!  The world will not end if this little project isn't finished right now.  What a gift!

Gratitude. Thankfulness.  Grace.  Happy Friday in August.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.