Shine A Little Light

For the past few months I have been getting Merlot Mum's blog posts via FeedBurner. I particularly look forward to her Monday post (which sadly arrives Tuesday for me because of time zone differences) What makes Monday so special. As each week kicks off Merlot Mum looks back on the week that was and reflects on the things that she's grateful for.

In our busy and challenging lives as Mums we can get so caught up in life that we forget and give thanks for what we have. In the spirit of Merlot Mum ... here is my first list of gratitudes (and hopefully not the last!)

1. I am grateful that my body is still young enough to cope with a night of Xmas frivolity - including lots of white wine, dancing and even a surreptious puff on a cigarette. I shall just forget the fact that it's taken two days to recover! I am also grateful for being reminded how much I love dancing and how wonderful the body can feel after some exercise.

2. I am grateful for the wonderful care that my son received at kindy this year that's allowed him to come into his own as a young fella - to have had his emotional and social wellbeing nurtured and encouraged. And for the fantastic folder that his kindy teacher and assistant put together, with many wonderful keeps sakes and loads of fantastic photos. I'm also grateful that he will be returning to kindy in 2009 along with three other friends from this year.

3. I'm grateful that we have a pool to escape from the heat from.

4. I'm grateful for the parking fairy who got us a park first up this morning on our trip to the shops for Santa photos.

5. I am grateful that Mr D climbed up onto Santa's knee without hestitation this year and shared a stunning smile with all. And also grateful that we didn't have to wait forever in line and that Annie paved the way with her kids and was so respectful of Dylan's need to suss out Santa (as I'd got caught up chatting to a friend from Kindy)

6. I am grateful for the fact that I don't need to invite thousands of friends and their tribes to my birthday to feel loved and appreciated. The fact that I love and appreciate myself is enough this year - all the rest will be icing on the cake.

7. I am grateful that I will be spending the Christmas period with my family and that we are all in a good space together at the moment.

8. I am grateful to my Mum for shouting us three nights in a beautiful apartment in Mooloolaba so that we can all be close together for a few evenings.

9. I am grateful for the fact that I don't give a toss how bad I look in my new black and white stripey bikinis and can just enjoy romping around the pool in them.

10. I am grateful for the fact that Rio Tinto have told my partner that he wont have a job after January so we now all know where we stand and can move on to find another job.

11. I am grateful to the Universe and Dave's considerable contacts for the fact that we wont end up in a precarious financial situation in 2009.

12. I am grateful for my beautiful friend Annie and her two fanastic kids. I don't tell them enough how important and special they are.

13. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to sit in circle with women over the weekend at a blessingway and to have been able to share in the wonders that such gatherings bring.

14. I am grateful for double brie cheese on sale ... I'd never get to enjoy it otherwise.

15. I am grateful for the breeze that is picking up - promising a cooler night than we've had recently.

16. I am grateful it is school holidays. I'll say it now because in two weeks time I may not be in such a good place with it

What are you grateful for this week?

Image found at Powerful Intentions