Gratitude Friday

I don't usually make a Gratitude Friday list. I'm not sure why. Lately I have been enjoying thinking about poetry on Thursdays - it's kind of like a blogging deadline. But shortly afterwards I have to get geared up for Sunday Scribblings, so I tend to ignore my own site for a couple of days. But I am home today. I worked two long weeks and now have a glorious, blissful three days off so I have a few minutes this morning to do this and hopefully some time this afternoon to catch up on all of your lives, to meet some of the people who have commented lately that I don't know, and to return to a sense of calm about the whole thing.

One of the things I am grateful for this week is a moment of gentleness. In the museum we have a lovely machine that plays a variety of old songs. It is completely unexpected and charming, and often catches people by surprise. Well, the other day a group of people came in and I played them a rousing tune. Charmed, they looked at the list of songs and one of the men asked me if I could play the song Ave Maria. He told the lady that was with him that it had been a favorite of his mother's. When I started the machine, he just stood there listening and tears soon filled his eyes. He remained motionless, listening and lost in his memories, tears falling from his eyes. When the song was over he smiled and thanked me gently. I was humbled by his willingness to stand in the middle of his memories.

The other thing I am grateful for this week is Mark's generosity and understanding. Why? Because despite major money issues, he understands my deep need to be home for a little while. So after some juggling at work, I AM GOING HOME FOR A WEEK!!!! I'm so excited, my stomach hurts every time I think about it. A week isn't very long, but it is long enough to meet my new niece or nephew, see my brother and sister-in-law's new house, spend time with my parents and other members of my family, get some gum for Mark :) and just be normal for a little while. It's always hard to be home because I can't get to see everyone I'd like to see. For some reason I turn into a crazy selfish homebody, and all I want to do is be at home. (Except for a trip or two to Chapters and Shopper's Drug Mart and Staples - ahhhh, the mother ships!!)

I still have to wait for awhile for the trip, so please excuse me if I go on about it a little! Wherever you are, I hope that you have a wonderful weekend and I'll try to check in soon! xo