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There Is Still Plenty of Life to Live

By The Artful Woman
Lately, it has been hot, so I decided to do something that would make life a little easier. I cooked a bunch of different meals in the crock pot, put them into containers, and froze them. That way, when the weather is hot, I wouldn't have to do much cooking. Then a flyer came in from the local Mexican market. They had pineapples, plantains, mangoes, watermelon, cucumbers—fresh fruits and vegetables at really good prices. They also had beef shanks. So after the gym, I had my caretaker take me to the store. I already had plenty of food at home. I had meals in the freezer, food in the refrigerator, and everything I needed. I wasn't going to the store because I was running out of food. But when I got there, something happened. I felt happy. The store was colorful and full of fresh food. I could choose one of this, two of that, three of something else. I wasn't limited to whatever quantity happened to come in a package. I could actually look at what I wanted and decide what I wa...
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Gratitude

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By The Artful Woman

 


Gratitude

by Jean Marshall

Sometimes I think—
I don’t have the nicest car,
Or the biggest house,
And I get a little down on myself,
Because I’m not where I thought I’d be.

But then I do laundry—
And something about the hum of the washer,
The warmth of clean clothes,
Makes me pause.
I’m grateful
For my washer and dryer,
For the simple miracle
Of being able to clean my clothes.

Sometimes I wish
I drove something newer, shinier—
But my car is a good car.
It gets me from A to B.
It’s low-maintenance,
Completely paid for,
And I love it.
I’m grateful for that, too.

I ask sometimes,
Why do others get so lucky?
Why not me?
But then I remember—
I got a second chance at life.
I survived a stroke.
I’m still here.
That alone is grace.

I’m grateful
For the voice inside me
That says, “There’s more.”
Grateful for the awakening.
Grateful for every opportunity
To learn, to grow.
For every teacher,
Every coach,
Every dreamer
Who dared to write the book
That reached me.

Business comes in waves—
Feast or famine—
And on hard days,
I hear stories
Of those who’ve had less,
Survived worse.
And I take a deep look at my life…

I’m safe.
I have a roof.
I have a home.
A little family—
Not conventional, but mine.
Two cats, two tiny tortoises,
One loyal dog,
Five chickens,
And plants that bring me joy.

I’m grateful
For warm showers,
Hot meals,
And a kitchen full of food.
I’m grateful
For clients—
For the ones who return,
Who believe in me,
Who see my gift.

I’m grateful for photography—
The gift I once prayed for.
Prayer answered.
I’m grateful.

Grateful for mountains,
For flowers,
For trails that wind
Right behind my house.
Grateful for my views.
For nature.
For the stillness that teaches.

I’m grateful
For meditation—
For this journey.
Grateful for failures.
Grateful for success.
Grateful for what is,
And all that’s still to come.

I’m grateful
For endless possibility.
And most of all—
I’m grateful
For God,
Who never stopped loving me.

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