Lessons in Gratitude Day 80

I am grateful this evening for safe arrival after a long day of travel. I didn’t sleep very well–I kept waking up thinking it must be almost time to get up, only to discover that it was 3:21 a.m. and I wasn’t planning to rise until 6. I left the house at 6:25, got to the BART station way too early. Ended up waiting 15 minutes for the train. The waiting was alright with me though–better early and waiting than late and running. After an hour on the train to the airport and a half hour through the security line, I got to my gate early. More waiting. Then onto the four-plus hour flight that honestly felt much, much longer. Some of that probably had to do with being in the middle seat and legroom was limited. Then, yes, more waiting. Two hour layover between flights. It was a good thing I have an audiobook and other things to keep me entertained.

My niece picked me up from the airport. I am in an eastern time zone, so it’s already bedtime here. Good thing, because I am tired enough to go to bed and can get myself acclimated more quickly to the three-hour time difference. I am in an undisclosed location; that is, I’m not disclosing where I am at the moment. I am on a bit of a secret mission that I can’t talk about in this blog until I get back. Sounds cryptic, doesn’t it? It’s not meant to be, and all will be revealed in due course. In the meantime, I will continue writing as best I can for the few days I’m out here though the blogs are likely to be brief.

Tonight, simple gratitude: a safe arrival, a comfortable bed and hopefully a decent night’s sleep. I have definitely learned not to take those things for granted. I’m looking forward to spending some time with family over the next few days. With me living out in California and the rest of them either in the Midwest or East I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I’d like. As we come up on the first anniversary of the passing away of our father, I find that the family connections feel that much more important. I continue to be deeply grateful for the love I have for and feel from each of my children, and the ongoing love and support from friends scattered around the country. That is what has sustained me over the years through good times and hard times. It is what is sustaining me now as I continue to walk this current path. I look forward to the days when the way forward is clearer than it is at present; but in the meantime, I will continue to offer gratitude for what is.