Reflection

I have been reflecting this evening, not deliberately, maybe randomly reflecting is a better term.  It occured to me this evening, watching the news, seeing a beautiful sunset, how incredibly blessed I am, or at least I feel that I am.  With all the tragedy in the world, there is still so much to be grateful for, so many beautiful people, so many new experiences to be had, friends to share with, family to connect with, so much to look  forward to. 

My children are both young, healthy adults.  Each of them growing in their own way, finding new experiences to explore, sharing life with friends and loved ones.  My beautiful Grandbaby is full of life and love and happiness.  She can bring a smile to my face on the darkest of days.  The man in my life is incredibly kind, gentle and loving.  He brings so much joy and laughter into my world.  I cannot imagine feeling more content.  It is an amazing feeling, it puts a smile on my face.  And, I love smiling!  But you know what I love more?  When I suddenly realize that I have a smile on my face without thinking about it.  Actually, it isn't even a smile at all, but more of a grin.  Where suddenly I realize I am grinning like a fool, for no reason except that life is beautiful, the people I share my life with are gifts, and I am truly happy.

I will spend this weekend with Pete and his family celebrating the life of his Grandmother (Beulah Crabtree), who passed away earlier this week.  Knowing his family, there will be just as much laughter as there will be grief.  They will celebrate Beulah's life and her memory with lots of love, lots of stories and lots of respect.  It is also a weekend that will bring a little stress to my world.  Pete and I spent some of our childhood growing up together.  I know his parents, his sister, I knew his grandparents.  My sister and brother grew up with his aunts and his uncle.  But this weekend I will meet for the first time, his younger brother and his son.