I so appreciate your comment. As an only child who has lost both parents I can understand your feelings. However, I am so extremely grateful to have been told years ago when I learned that I was adopted (and emotionally disconnected), that I had the opportunity to select my family from the world. I guess I took that to heart. My adopted father was so wise.

Years later, while at an all too fancy — no overalls allowed — dinner in Alabama I was being shown around the snob’s home. We came to a mural of the family tree painted on the wall in the study. The gentleman was quick to point out his ancestors, depicted as apples with names painted on them, dangling from branches of the tree.

Of course for anyone from the south — help me here Laury — everyone knows we trace bloodlines of horses, hogs, and homo sapiens. And we do love to show them off as if it sets us a part. Anyway, when asked about my ancestors, I had nothing to share. I guess my family tree is a stump. So, I replied that “I am a child of the universe.” Guess you can’t be alone or lonely when the world is your family.

Niels, you are a part of my family and I am proud to call you “brother.”

Maya

As the saying goes, any friend of Laury’s is a friend of mine. Welcome to the Gratitude Journal.

You are right. Some days it seems hard to weed through life to find something that is worth mentioning. But, I have found that most often it is the smallest thing that brings me the most gratitude. Sometimes we just take so much for granted that sitting down with a journal forces us to take a deep breath and look at life and occasionally look for that rose we are supposed to stop and smell. And, some days I am just thankful that I made it through another day. But, there is always something to bring us a warm feeling of gratitude and a smile.

I do hope you will visit often and share your thoughts. The kids seem to be more interested in what Niels and Laury have to say than what I write about. I’m sure they will become attached to you, too.

Delighted to have you on board.
Maya