Right now I am soaking up the sun, cool breeze, and the beautiful Pacific Northwest Coast in Gearhart, Oregon at the My Story Retreat. This retreat is hosted by Liz, Kelly, and Ali and I am about to internally combust from the gratefulness that has filled my soul in just over 24 hours.
In the past month, I have known of 4 friends and acquaintances who have tragically died. All of them are younger than me, left spouses, and a total of 12 children. Two died from disease and two have died from horrific accidents. All of their losses are rocking me to the core. Once again, I am reminded that life is short and I have a responsibility to live life with intention and a grateful heart despite my circumstances. I can’t disrespect those that don’t have that opportunity.
Today I am grateful for the life that I have been given, my story up to this point, and my story that is left to be told.
Today I am grateful for my friend Ali. Sharing, hugging, and experiencing life and joys together in person is a thousand times better than direct messaging with each other. Excited to meet someone who has BIG plans for her life, just like me. And the twinkle in her eye as she approaches a new adventure just makes me smile.
Nicole, Jen, and Monica… it’s time for us to meet. Soon.
Today I am grateful for cooler weather, long sleeve shirts, and blue jeans. Is there anything better?
Today I am grateful for my new friendship with Sarah who has been reading my blog for the past 6 months. Love, love her.
Today I am grateful for a husband who is watching the kids while I am connecting with women who are passionate about cultivating their creative sides and telling their stories. Good man.
Today I am grateful for an upcoming DREAM trip to Omaha, Nebraska to see the Swimming Olympic Time Trials. Rebecca, Emily, and my dad will be joining me on this amazing adventure. So looking forward to experiencing this with some of my favorite people.
And lastly, I am grateful for a little munchkin who will be celebrating her 3rd birthday on Monday when I fly home. Boy do I miss her voice and her stinky feet.
Have a fabulous weekend and take a moment today to express your gratitude to one person. It truly is contagious. Remember, life is so very short.
Blessings sweet friends – Jenny
Please feel free to link up your gratitude posts. Make sure to check each other’s posts and share the love. The next gratitude link up will be Friday, July 19th (it’s always on the 3rd Friday of each month).
Comments
Dana
Oh I needed to read this today. Thank you! Headed off to leave some gratitude with my family & friends
Jenny
That makes me happy Dana. Keep spreading that cheer. It really is contagious.
Kathy
Just an update on the weekends activities…
Madeleine shot a 41, took first place for the second tournament in a row.
Sean’s soccer team lost, but he did score the one of the two goals. Plus he made it back from Mexico safely.
Lunch would be fun.
gail
Oh, my heart hurts for your losses. Bless you as you sing His praises.
Jenny
May it never be that I wait until people pass to tell them how grateful I am for them. Losing friends and acquaintances has brought this point home once again.
Kathy
Today I am grateful for a daughter that has found her passion on the golf course; a husband that thinks he is too old, but is still competing with 20 somthings on a semi-pro soccer team; and for my life in general.
Jenny, I am also grateful for meeting you.
Jenny
Me too, Kathy. Let’s be intentional and get together for lunch after the summer vacations get finished. Grateful for you as well.
Jen
OMG – we are going to the swim trials on Tuesday! I’m super excited! You must go to the zoo while you are here if you have time…the Omaha zoo is really good.
Jenny
My DVR is recording the trials today – wave to me!
Will be there Friday and Saturday night and hopefully going to the zoo and Downtown Market on Sunday and Monday.
Delores
I absolutely love your blog – it is such an inspiration to me. Can’t wait to see you in Omaha, come and see me. I’m looking forward to Steph and Tyler getting here in a week.
Jenny
Hoping that Steph will take me to the zoo on Sunday. It was so good seeing her yesterday at Sam’s birthday party. I’m so grateful for her too!
Melissa
Today. What am I grateful for today. Today might not be the best day to ask me that question. Today I put my husband on a plane to Afghanistan. Again. He’ll be gone for just over 12 months. This is his 6th (and final) deployment. The first thing I’m grateful IS my husband. I’m grateful that he has the courage to do a job like this. I’m grateful that he LOVES his job, because he really does. Even if I hate that he has to leave, and he hates that he has to leave his family, I’m grateful that he truly loves what he does and puts every ounce of himself into his job and his mission. I’m extremely grateful for my brothers … both of whom knew that my husband was leaving today, and both of whom reached out to me today and used humor to help me get through the day. I’m tremendously grateful for fellow Army wives who GET IT. Because unless you’ve been there, you don’t get it. I’m grateful that those fellow Army wives reached out today too, and expressed their kinds thoughts and well wishes as I begin this journey again. I’m grateful for my brand new car, that my husband thoughtfully purchased for me before he left. And I’m grateful for my friend Danielle. I’m driving from GA to TN to visit her tomorrow. She lost her husband in Afghanistan in 2010. I’m thankful that she and I have been able to continue our friendship after her loss, because I know that many Army widows have been forgotten by their former Army-wife friends. I’m thankful that she and her four kids can make time for my visit, because I know she’s busy. And I’m grateful for Jenny. And her blog. Thanks Jenny!
Jenny
Please tell your husband thank you for me. And I thank you for your sacrifice. My dad and both of my grandfathers were career military men and I am aware of their sacrifice but also that of our family.
Thank you for being such a good friend to Danielle – what a blessing for both of you to have each other.
I’m grateful to you and your continued encouraging words.
Christy Lindvig
I’m grateful that I read your blog tonight! Your words are really resonating with me as I think about these past few weeks especially. I’m grateful that my sister finally finished her chemo treatments a few weeks ago and can now plan for the next phase of recovery. I’m grateful that my sister-in-law got good results after a breast biopsy a couple weeks ago. I’m grateful that my niece survived a near drowning incident yesterday at camp. I’m grateful for a God who loves us and is in control of ALL situations. I am grateful for each moment He gives me to be with my friends and family. Thank you Jenny for your inspiration and prompting to live life with intention and gratitude!
Jenny
This is lovely Christy. So glad your sister is all done with those dreaded chemo treatments. He is in control – even when we don’t feel like He is.
J3SS1C4
Love this post! So uplifting! I’ve been trying to appreciate the little things in life that I’m grateful for rather than just the big things, and it’s made me feel a lot better about all that I have going on in my life.
Have you heard of http://www.grateful160.com? It’s a site where you get sent an email prompt up to 4 times a day, and you respond back to the email with something your grateful for, then it sends you an email of all your responses once a week. I signed up about 2 weeks ago, and I’m loving it so far! When I saw this post, I thought it might be a site you or one of your readers might enjoy
Jenny
Often it is only the little things that we can be grateful when the heaviness of life greets us. I’m finding this gratitude journey essential to my life journey now. I can be miserable when I venture off the gratitude path.
Thanks for the site recommendation. I will check it out!
Michelle B
Love that you got to go to Oregon! Looks like an amazing time! And to spend the week with all those wonderful women! How great! And Omaha! I am just up the road (100 miles) – in Sioux City, IA
Have fun!
Jenny
I’m staying in Council Bluff through the weekend and am planning on visiting the zoo on Sunday or Monday with the kids. Really looking forward to the Trials.
You would love this retreat Michelle. It would be perfect for you.