My Gratitude List - 62 Things!
Today is my 62nd birthday! I must say that I have no idea how in the world this happened…time flies and the older I get, the more I understand how important it is to value every moment. I decided that for my birthday, I would give myself the gift of 62 things I’m grateful for! So…here’s the list, in no particular order!
My family - I am beyond blessed to have a husband who loves me, three beautiful daughters who are married to three amazing men and my 5 amazing, adorable, smart and cute as everything grandchildren. I am close to all my daughters and appreciate that they keep me on my toes…they also keep me young. Spending time with them is always lively and so much fun and I truly treasure every moment. The are all so different, and all so talented and gifted. I am a better person because of them and love them beyond words.
Where do I even begin with my grandchildren?…they bring wonder and delight into my life. I am in awe of all of them and they are continuously making me laugh. I’m in tears right now just thinking about how blessed I am to have them in my life!
My dogs - Amos and Archie…my fur babies. Until we got Amos, I never understood how much love one could feel for an animal. He has been my constant companion for over 5 years now and gives me unconditional love every day! I began to worry that he was lonely, so we got Archie and now, Amos and Archie are best friends and we have another puppy to love! The two of them keep us in stitches everyday! They are my little loves!
My health - no explanation needed…
Our beautiful home - We bought our home 20 years ago in April and honestly, it has been quite the project and there have been days when I wondered what in the world we were thinking! After 20 years, we still have things we would like to do, even after the major renovation we just went through! I know that sounds crazy, but we were busy raising children and some things just had to wait. Now that everyone is grown and we have those 5 beautiful grandchildren, we want a big family area where we can all be…comfortably. Thank goodness we have the space to make that happen! Anyway…this old house has been a refuge for me and I love the history of it. It’s so nice that I can live here and take care of this historic home for someone else to enjoy when I’m gone!
The community of women friends who support me - I’m grateful to have old friends and to have met new friends through this blog and social media. Social media can be a wonderful place if it’s used correctly. I’ve met the most wonderful group of women that I admire, respect and am inspired by daily!
My newly renovated closet and bathroom - When I walk into my new space, it makes me smile every time and sometimes even takes my breath because it’s so beautiful and I can’t believe it’s mine!
This blog and the feeling of satisfaction I get from it - I started this blog during a very difficult time in my life and it has carried me through good days and bad days. I almost feel as if it has a life of its own. I use it to express myself and be creative. I’m so thankful that it has become a business, but even more thankful that I created it and that you all read it!
Healthy food - I was brought up sitting down to dinner with my family every night for dinner. My mom was not a fancy cook, but she was a good cook and we always had fresh vegetables to eat. We would pick butter beans and green beans in the summer and buy tons of fresh corn and strawberries and she would can and freeze for the off season. I came to appreciate the taste of a warm tomato fresh from the garden because of her. To this day, I love fresh vegetables and healthy food and am grateful to have access to it.
Time to do what I love - Every single day, I am blessed with time to do as I please. I don’t have to write this blog, but I love to and want to. I’m so grateful to have time to pursue my creative passions!
Safety - I shouldn’t even tell this one, but I rarely (okay never), lock my doors during the day. When I leave the house, I just leave the door unlocked and do what I need to do. Sometimes, I think that it’s energetics…I don’t worry and I trust that things will be fine and so they are. I’m also grateful that I feel safe in my life…so many women live in fear and that makes me sad.
My relationship with my daughters - I covered this one above, but I’m elaborating. I’m grateful that my daughters are in my life, but the fact that we want to spend time together is something I don’t take for granted!
My perseverance and persistence - I am a person who never gives up…period. If I want something, I’ll work and learn and do and create until I make it happen. The thought that I might not be able to do something doesn’t often enter my mind. I know that I can and will do what it takes to make my dreams come true. I live by this saying…”I have a plan, not a goal”…in other words, a goal is something in the future that may or may not happen, a plan is a roadmap to get where I want to go!
Being surrounded by beauty everyday - nature is so nourishing! We live in such a beautiful place and have worked hard to make our home beautiful, but the natural world around us gives me strength and hope on a daily basis. The woods next to our home are filled with birds, flowers, foxes and even deer and I love to walk into the woods and just look around at the wonder of it all!
Mornings before the sun comes up - I love the peace of a quiet morning. There is nothing that compares to getting up before the sun and having a moment of peace with just me and my cup of coffee!
My front porch - how many days have I sat in a rocking chair with Amos by my side, reading a book and enjoying the porch. Our family has planned weddings, had lively conversations and eaten dinner on our great big Southern front porch! It’s one of the things I love most about the house!
My Mom and Dad - As I’ve been writing this gratitude list, I’ve realized how many positive things were instilled in me because of the way I grew up. The value of family, hard work, good food and believing in something greater than myself were things I learned from my parents and it made me who I am today!
Travel - I’ve been so blessed in my life to travel to places far and near. Travel allows us not only to see other parts of our country and the world, but it also allows us to have a glimpse into the lives and traditions of other people, making us more compassionate and understanding of them. We need that so much in today’s world!
Curiosity - I have always been curious about many things and that curiosity, when followed has led me to interesting things. It’s like Alice in Wonderland…one thing leads to another and life is truly like a rabbit hole…so much to discover if we just are curious enough to walk down a different path!
My creative ability - I’m curious, and often that curiosity leads me to be creative. I find something I’m interested in (like blogging) and I learn about it and then create. One follows the other! There are so many aspects to this occupation and to anything in life and exploring the many facets of it has made my life richer!
Rainy days - as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate a rainy day. Rainy days give you an excuse to stay inside and just be for a while. My mom loved to listen to the rain and she loved a good thunderstorm in the summer and I’m like that now! I can remember as a child, there was a tin roof outside my bedroom window and I would open the window so I could hear the rain hitting the roof! It’s a comforting sound!
Familiar places that feel like home - As some of you know, I live on the same street I grew up on…I call that my claim to fame, because it’s rare these days. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to travel, but I’m also grateful that this town and the street I live on give me a sense of place that is like nothing else. I know the cracks in the sidewalk and it gives me comfort for some reason. I can tell you all the best places to shop, eat and just about anything else you want to know. I can also tell you who grew up in what house and many many stories about my neighborhood…but that’s another blog post!
My Passion - this goes along with curiosity and creativity, but I guess you could say it leads the way. I am passionate about so many things and that motivates me every day of my life…even on the days that are hard. I’m really good about having a pep talk with myself and it gets my back on track. Some days it takes longer than others, but I’ve never been one to feel sorry for myself for too long! I’d rather follow my passion!
My mentor - Melanie Ann Layer - I found Melanie probably 6 years ago on Instagram. I was sitting on the beach at Bald Head and came across an Instagram post of hers and immediately thought “who is this woman?”. I read everything she had ever written and started following her and taking her free programs. To this day, I listen to her daily. I have enrolled in her mastermind and she feeds my soul! Melanie if you're reading this…thank you for your life changing teachings and for being who you are!
Books that inspire me - I love books! I don’t have as much time to read as I would like, but I still love to get lost in a good book! I’m currently reading The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl and it’s an amazing book! I also love being inspired by beautiful coffee table books and have quite a collection! Being surrounded by the books I love makes me happy!
Silence and being able to hear it - Eckhart Tolle talks about being able to hear the silence even when things are noisy. If you really listen, you can always hear silence. That may sound odd, but it’s more a place you can access whenever you need for the noise to stop. It is really audible and so comforting!
My first cup of coffee in the morning…it always tastes the best!
A chilled glass of rosé in the afternoon - is there really anything better?
Hope - I live in constant hope for things to be better in this world. Hope is like a prayer and without it where would we be?
The gardenias in the back yard - it’s so full of blooms and smells like heaven…sometimes, it’s the simple things!
The peonies that bloom in my yard - they are my favorites and I look forward to their blooms every spring!
The support system I have - not just my family, but the people who I depend on to help me…Emily who does my nails, Roy (the guy that comes to the house and blows off the porch and washes my car), my trainer Larry, the florist down the street that makes the most beautiful flower arrangements and my photographer. Life is easier because of them and I’m so grateful.
The park down the street - I played in that park growing up and still love going there. I’m grateful for beautiful public spaces that are so nurturing to people. So many people drive to the park and park their cars to walk the paths, take pictures, sit on a bench and play with their children.
Bald Head Island - our home, the memories made and the memories still to make. We’ve been going to Bald Head Island for 30 some years and when I get on the ferry to go over to the island, my whole body releases stress and it just feels so good!
Time to sit by the ocean - the sound of the waves crashing and the wind blowing…the sounds of the birds and people laughing in the distance, the sun on my face and the overwhelming beauty of the natural world are things I don’t take for granted!
Meditation - I haven’t been meditating as much as I would like and I’ve realized just how important those few minutes are to the quality of my day! I’m so grateful to have found meditation and for the perspective it gives me in my life. The answers are always found in the stillness.
The skylights in my bathroom…I love to see the sun and hear the rain!
Being an entrepreneur - having the freedom to work when and where I please is a gift!
Our little country club…we go and sit at the bar and talk to the bartender that has been there since we can remember…it does feel like coming home.
French Fries - Good French fries would be my last meal if I could choose.
Lemon Pound Cake from Maxie B’s Bakery in Greensboro - it’s the best pound cake I’ve ever had…next to my grandmother’s.
The local boutique that brings bags of clothes for me to try on and leaves them on my porch…and then picks up what I don’t want the next day! How amazing is that!
Next day delivery - no seriously…sometimes, I need something and I can order it and it gets delivered to my door overnight. I’m always grateful for that…like I said, sometimes it’s the small things!
Being able to walk outside and lift my face to the sun!
Fires in our outdoor fireplace - I designed our fireplace right before Lauren, our oldest daughter got married and it’s one of the best spots in the fall and winter! Sitting by the fire and feeling the warmth is beyond wonderful. We have made so many family memories by that fireplace! I get attached to places because of the memories…
Being able to soak in my bathtub - a good book, a glass of wine and bubbles…heaven!
The strong women who came before me and paved the way for women everywhere - when I think about the freedom that I have in my life compared to the women of prior generations, it makes me immensely grateful. Continuing to fight for those freedoms is so important for future generations!
A mindset that allows me to regroup and start over…again and again.
Lessons Learned - life can come at you hard at times and if you learn the lesson intended, those hard times can be an incredible gift. You’ve heard the saying…living the same day over and over again and calling it a life. Obviously, that’s not really a life. A rich life isn’t necessarily an easy one, it’s one filled with lessons learned and never, never boring!
Music everywhere in our home - we recently installed a Sonos system and now we can have music everywhere! I’m trying to discover new music and loving listening to old favorites!
Beautiful objects - I love being surrounded by beauty…whether it’s fresh flowers, original art, artisan objects or antiques. People are so talented and the beautiful objects made by talented people give our home depth and interest and make it a nice place to be!
Perspective - Being able to see my blessings, even on the hard days I know how blessed I am!
Possibility - I believe anything is possible!
Knowing that I have my back - I have come to trust myself and my ability to make good decisions over the years. I have gone on the long journey of learning to love myself and I take care of me as well as those I love.
A closet full of beautiful shoes and clothes and bags - need I say more!
Online shopping - makes life easier!
Botox and filler - I do love my botox and filler… just being honest!
My monthly Hydrafacial - it’s the most relaxing thing ever and my skin looks so good after!
Farmers markets and farmers - I look forward to the opening of our local farmer’s markets every year! Going to see what’s fresh and home grown and then coming home to make dinner is such a gift! I love supporting local agriculture and the farmers in our area!
Birthday presents - I will never get tired of opening presents!
Family Celebrations - Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, Trick-or-Treating, Birthdays…I love it when we all get together and the chaos that comes with it!
The gift of life - I am grateful for another year around the sun and love knowing that more adventure is coming my way!
If you made it to the end thank you so much for reading! This post contains no links…only heartfelt gratitude for the life I have built! I am grateful for all of you who read Crazy Blonde Life and support me! Thank you so much!
~XOXO Suzanne