Gratitude Tree - Year 1

At the beginning of November 2017, I asked Blu to go find me a big tree branch.  He's learning to not question (at least externally) my crazy antics. ☺ So, Blu Boy went and found me a tree giant tree branch -- then painted it gold, again per my request.  My sweet fellow.  After we had our golden tree in place, it became our "gratitude tree".  A tree for a season, hopefully to be resurrected again.  Anyone and everyone who came over and wanted to write down something they are truly grateful for could hang their valued adornment on the tree.  Over a couple of months, the tree slowly filled up and began to constantly represent happiness, joy, priceless people, friendships, comforts, life's significance.  Reminders.  Reminders to live now, to live like we need nothing, to live like what we have could disappear at any moment -- and because of that, to be thankful.

Here are the noted blessings of 2017 in no particular order, per the Tree:

• My family 
• My brain
• Our dear friends
• Xan
• Our Huddle
• Old and new friends
• Dad, Mom, Zach, Jamie, Gayle, Eddie, Papa, Nee, Gramps, Gram, cousins
• Laughter
• Jamie
• Tanner
• Our church and the people in it 
• My Huddle
• Cortnie
• Gina
• Our Home
• Megan & Drew: Everett, Haven
• Xander
• My husband
• The Grays
• Allan, Greg, Adam, Tanner, church staff & leadership
• Sunshine
• Our Covenant Group
• Aleisha & Blu
• My God! 
• Cole & Chelsea: Sydnee, Ian
• My amazing wifey
• Danny, Dolly, Ren, Lily, Stewart, Mary
• Aleisha, Blu, Xan, Goran, Heather, Tanner D & A, The Grays, Dad, Mom, G&G, Nee & Papa, Gayle & Eddie

Thankful. I give thanks for these things and more.  Through this, I have really felt uplifted..maybe not drastically different, but altered enough to tell that my thankfulness really does change the way I live because it changes the way I think.  I wish I did I lived that way more regularly.
Lord, help us live in the light of what we have, what we've been given, and what we are pursuing.

Grateful.

We are so, so grateful. 

November - December 2017