Thankfully

This morning after I put the girls on the school bus, I put on a t-shirt, grabbed my backpack, and went for a bike ride for the whole morning!

First I went to the corner market and bought some fruit, and then went on a loooong ride exploring around the neighborhood. I went past all those huge homes again, trying to find ideas of how to make my front entrance (outside) look cute. Most of them simply use pumpkins! But it's all in how they're placed....so I needed some creative ideas.

I saw countless Moms pushing strollers. All just by themselves. I wondered if they were lonely like me. I passed a park with Mom's and toddlers having their "morning playdate". However, instead of longing to join them....I couldn't help but think "Whohoo! No more babies!" Instead of watching my toddler eat sand, I was zooming passed on my bike....as my kids were in school. I realized that part of me didn't really long to get to know the stroller Moms....but to find out where the "kids-are-in-school-Mom's" are!

It got me thinking that I could do this every day if I wanted! I decided that on the days that I don't have work to do, I would get out and run, or bike around the neighborhood. Or maybe hop over to Starbucks and journal with a Caramel Macchiato.

Anyway, I continued on my ride and I went back to that forest/park in my previous post. It was so nice to ride down the paths...all covered in leaves....listening to the water in the creek. There are some huge homes that back onto this ravine in the forest. I saw a woman sitting...reading...on her deck. It took everything within me not to stop my bike and say:

"You must be SOOO very thankful!!!"

I mean....look at her home! It's anyone's dream house....manicured backyard....overlooking a picturesque forest with walking paths. She's home, reading....relaxing...how could she NOT be just brimming with thankfulness?

However, reality is: Most people just aren't thankful. If all those people with the big homes aren't brimming with thankfulness, then just what would they NEED to finally be thankful? Millions? Billions? What is the price tag on thankfulness anyway?

I couldn't help but smile as the wind whipped thru my hair. Here I was zooming past these lovely homes, that are in my neighborhood. MY neighborhood! Sure, I don't live in that huge house...but I live on a lovely street, surrounded by dozens of parks and nice homes, and Mom's walking with their strollers. The sun was hot, the air smelled like autumn, and I was leisurely riding my bike. (and then returning to my cozy little house, to welcome Aila home for lunch, and have a low-point lunch!)

I can choose to think about how lonely I feel most days....or choose to be so thankful for a new start, a nice view, and a warm day to ride my bike. I can be at home with my girls, who are happy sweet kids....and enjoy this stage of life....focusing on the good....and overlooking the bad. I want to fill my mind and spirit with these things....God-focused thoughts, Thankful expressions of happiness, and peaceful moments of "just-for-me" times.

That's worth millions....