Quote of the Day: “In gratitude for your own good fortune you must render in return some sacrifice of your life for other life.” Albert Schweitzer
Inspired by the book Thanks for the Mammogram by Laura Walker, loaned to me by Margaret Sevy, breast cancer survivor. Laura wrote a chapter in her book where she expressed her gratitude for all things wonderful in life. So I started to make my list and came to the realization that it would take an eternity to complete, literally, so here’s a start- they are not in order and the list is in no way complete!
A LIST OF GRATITUDE:
Being married to Joe and having 4 amazing boys, 2 incredible daughters-in-law and the 2 most beautiful grand girls in the world!
Being able to have daughters in Mary and Elle
Maggie and Kate’s beautiful, perfect faces
Taylor able to serve a mission in Guatemala- he understands the meaning of obedience
Maggie saying out of the blue “Grandma Joanie, I love you”
Kate daring to take those first steps, big smiles every time I see her
Growing up with all sisters- fun, fun, fun
Having great parents, step-parents, grandparents, in-laws that influence my life in positive ways!
Cruising around the world with my mom and sisters- Mexico, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Tahiti- Bora, Bora and more
Playing tennis with Lynne- winning 5 tournaments in a row!
Understanding that Lynne will get to see her grandchildren in heaven!
Building a serenity fountain in our backyard with Joe, Taylor and Alex
Spending time at our Park City Condo, hiking, biking, tennis, watching tennis, food
Being able to work with youth and service- connecting on a level not attained any other way
Having a job at Skyline where my children and their friends could participate, teaching students how service can change your life
Community of Caring retreats with students- running with a group of students through the PC graveyard at night, in the dark, coming to terms with your fears
Watching Night of the Living Dead at an old barn, Halloween time
Riding bikes w/ Taylor from Colter Bay to Yellowstone and seeing a huge grizzly bear on the road
Spending time with my family- playing games, laughing, cooking
Walking with Jen in the dark early morning and thinking a mailbox was a mountain lion and then being startled by a sprinkler
Alex’s comedic sense of humor
Having the most supportive amazing friends in this world
Hanging out with the Sues “Joanie and the Sues”
Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru- standing at entrance and looking over the whole expanse
Hang-gliding in Lima, Peru with my German-Brazilian buddy
Experiencing service missions in Mexico and Peru
Watching my children make positive decisions
Being able to go out in nature and see the flowers and animals
Spending time each year in the Tetons, boating, hiking, game playing
Being with Laurie and Kelly at Palm Springs for tennis tournament, watching Patrick Rafter serve and volley, making goals each year, playing tennis, going on hikes, staying at the Esmeralda
listening to classical music- Schubert’s Standchen
living in Germany with the Himberger’s- (talk about hospitality!), attending a gymasium
learning to speak German
Playing the piano
Lynne calling me when I had chemo, making sure I was ok
Chemo friends taking the time to come during infusion
Playing tennis with all its emotions: fun, fear, excitement, joy
Listening to the spirit tell you that all will be ok, your cancer is gone
God sending a dragon-fly to land on my skin and stay with me a good long minute
Traveling to many countries including: Germany, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Switzerland, Austria, England, Belgium, Italy, Liechtenstein, Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Peru, Tahiti
Swimming in the Mediterranean Ocean, water-skiing on the Caribbean Ocean
Running 27 marathons- medal around your neck
Shower after running a marathon where the salt water trickles down you body
Seeing the sun rise on morning runs
Feeling my body run without effort (only happens once in a while!)
Junior Mints and Heath Bars, Dodo restaurant Caramel Coffee Cake
Jonathan Apples fresh off the tree with no pesticides
Learning and then understanding a new concept in school or with scriptures, “Ah ha” moments
Feeling of serenity that comes over you in spiritual moment
Hearing Martin Luther King Jr.s’ speech “I Have a Dream”
Working really hard on a project- giving it your all and then sitting back
Listening to Vivaldi in Austria
Sitting on the bench outside of Jenny Lake after a backpacking trip, eating Cheetos and drinking a diet Coke
Giving a stranger a ride home because her car broke down
Serving dinner to the needy populations at Salvation Army, talking to my friends there
Watching students gathering at Camp Tracy for the Hunger Banquet- knowing it still goes on without me- Alex performing with comedic group
Nate- graduating from BYU, Mike retrieving ball at State Football Championship
Carol and John Skeen!
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