Day 97, April 7

One of my favorite parables in the Bible is that of the talents. A master gives three servants one, two, and five talents, respectively. The servants receving two and five talents doubled theirs, earning their master's praise, while the servant who received one talent buried his and earned the master's condemnation. Okay. You know where I'm going with this. The theme of talents and creativity keeps showing up in my blog. What can I say? Let me share with you examples of individuals who multiply their talents. A number of years ago, my daughter, Alanna, wanted to learn to make cards. She started by attending workshops on card making. Her first efforts were those of a beginner, but she kept working, practicing, and refining her techniques. Today, her cards and scrapbook pages are works of art. She shares her talent with her friends and has taught her daughter how to make cards as well. A dear friend enjoys music. She plays the piano, the organ, the guitar, and the flute. She also composes and sings. Several years ago, she went back to college to earn a degree in music therapy. Today, she works as a music therapist for Hospice, brightening the days of many people who are unable to leave their homes. Another sweet friend has a natural gift for caregiving. For years, she volunteered to care for people who had accidents and suffered from other ailments. Today, she works as a home health aide, helping infirm people with personal care and giving them an extra dose of love. So, for today, I am grateful for individuals who multiply their talents and bless the lives of others.

Day 96, April 6

"Hoe while it is spring, and enjoy the best anticipation."--Charles Dudley Warner. Autumn remains my favorite season of the year, but I relish spring as well. Traditionally, spring represents renewal, reawakening, revival. For me, spring is a time to heal old wounds, to mend relationships that are strained, to try again in my personal quest to get it right. My choice of words there is deliberate: to get it right. I struggle to get it right in my writing. I struggle even more to get it right in my personal life. Sins and weaknesses, fears and frailities keep getting in my way. To my dismay, I too frequently allow them to win. How can I hope to pen words that will touch the hearts of others if my own is hard and unforgiving? The short answer is, I can't. So I continue to plead with the Lord to soften my heart, to give it the "balm of Gilead." I ask Him to take my heart and make of it what He will. My tulips are on the verge of bursting with color. I anticipate that ritual every spring. This spring, I anticipate my heart bursting with color, the colors of love, forgiveness, and healing. So, for today, I am grateful for the spring.

Day 95, April 5

I have a favorite pair of black pants. They skim over the lumps and bumps that are my hips and thighs, forgiving any misdeeds of overeating and overindulging. They stretch to give latitude for the ups and downs in my weight. These pants are much like my friends. They, too, skim over the lumps and bumps of my character. They, too, forgive my misdeeds of selfishness and thoughtlessness. They, too, stretch to give latitude for the ups and downs in my moods. What would I do without my friends? They forgive me, support me, encourage me, and love me, all the while knowing my flaws, faults, and weaknesses. They've seen me at my worst, both physically and emotionally, and love me anyway. They show that love in countless ways that remind me daily how fortunate I am. They are, truly, the sisters of my heart. So, for today, I am grateful for pants that forgive my sins ... and friends who do the same.

Day 94, April 4

Most of you will know that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Two days ago, in the Church's semi-annual General Conference, Prophet and President Thomas S. Monson announced that a temple will be built in Ft. Collins, Colorado, not far from our home in Loveland. I nearly wept with gratitude at this news. Temples are special places where sacred ordinances are performed. They are sanctuaries of peace in a hectic world. When my husband and I adopted a daughter, we took her to the Denver Temple where she was sealed to us for time and all eternity. Though that occurred 19 years ago, I can still recall the feelings of love and joy that coursed through me. So, for today, I am grateful for temples.

Day 93, April 3

Yesterday (Saturday), my husband and I had the assignment to help clean our church building. We arrived in our work clothes. I grabbed the vacuum and started in the classrooms. Within a little while, I heard beautiful music coming from the chapel, overriding even the whirring motor of the vacuum. Despite my grubby attire, I couldn't resist slipping into the back of the chapel and taking a seat on a pew. A cellist and pianist accompanied a young man singing "Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing," one of my favorite hymns. (You might guess by now that I have a number of favorite hymns.) His pure, clear voice touched my heart, and tears stung my eyes. My chores were temporarily forgotten as I rejoiced in the music. I've mentioned in earlier posts that I have no talent for music. It is my sincere belief that when talents were passed out in heaven, I was off going to a garage sale or taking a nap. At any event, I missed out on many talents and am occasionally envious of those who possess such an abundance of them. It's taken me years to realize what a selfish and short-sighted attitude that is. Why should I resent the talents of others when they brighten the world with color and music and grace? So, for today, I am grateful for the talents of others and their willingness to share them.

Day 92, April 2

We live in an ungracious world. While technology soars, manners have taken a nosedive. Good manners go far beyond simply holding the door for someone else. They help define who and what we are. Yesterday I received two thank-you notes in the mail, one from a friend and one from my son-in-law. Both graciously thanked me for a favor. I was impressed, not only with the sentiments expressed but that the individuals had taken the time to choose a card, handwrite a note, and then mail it. Recently, in an etiquette column, I read a letter from a bride's mother asking a "manners guru" if it were all right if her daughter simply emailed a blanket thank-you to the guests for their gifts. Clearly expecting agreement, the mother eschewed the idea of sending out thank-you notes, claiming them to be old-fashioned, time-consuming, and expensive. The columnist disappointed her by saying that good manners were never out of style. This example is a microcosm of the laziness and carelessness of our society. If we do not care about the small things, how can we expect ourselves and others to care about the larger, more important ones? Every morning I kneel at my bedside and pray. This morning, I noticed that my prayer contained many more "I wants" and "I needs" than "Thank-yous." This lack of acknowledgement of my blessings shamed me, and I resolved to do better. Perhaps, I reasoned, if my prayers were more filled with more gratitude and graciousness, I would extend the same to my family and friends. So, for today, I am grateful for those individuals who remind me that good manners matter.

Day 91, April 1

Yesterday I was fired up about something and sent off a letter-to-the-editor to our local paper. Too frequently, I take for granted the freedom that allows me to express my opinion in such a public forum, a freedom that is denied to many people of the world. The Founding Fathers wisely included this freedom in writing the Constitution. This inspired document stands as a beacon of light and truth, not just to the United States of America but to nations everywhere. The Constitution guarantees this and other freedoms, but it is the men and women of America's armed services who protect it. I came of age during the Viet Nam era, during the protests, the flag burnings, the draft dodging. I never understood the scorn directed at those who so bravely served our country. Instead, they had my admiration, my respect, my gratitude ... and they still do. "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell. So, for today, I am grateful for the American soldier.