One look at the snow on the ground this morning, and I was ready to kiss my daily walk good-bye. Though convinced I had several good reasons to indulge in an old-fashioned pout – a headache, tired from traveling, sun-starved, long winter, worn out from book writing – something held me back.
Instead of complaining, I bundled up for the weather and walked early, before I could talk myself out of it. Of course, the temptation to grinch and grouse remained. The only way to shake it was to think of a reason to smile each time temptation reared it’s ugly head.
I’m a gifted complainer, so the list was embarrassingly long by the end of my walk. But, I pared down the list down knowing you don’t have time to read the whole list. Plus, with me being so humble, I don’t want my amazing talent as a complainer to make you jealous. So here are the top ten reasons for smiling on a snowy March day.
One look at the snow on the ground this morning, and I was ready to kiss my daily walk good-bye. Though convinced I had several good reasons to indulge in an old-fashioned pout – a headache, tired from traveling, sun-starved, long winter, worn out from book writing – something held me back.
- The snow didn’t keep the cardinals from singing or the robins from flying around.
- I saw a bald eagle swoop down to catch it’s prey the other day. Not in Alaska, not by a river, but in a ditch beside an Iowa farm field. Never thought that would happen in my lifetime.
- On the second half of my walk, the snow was starting to melt.
- This week I stayed overnight with Anne and her husband. They are so happy, were
happy to see me, and openly share their hopes and dreams.
- Before I spoke to a MOPS group yesterday, a young mom told about how A Different
Dream for My Child ministered to her after the birth of her daughter.
- On snowy days, there’s no need to step around the dying earthworms that litter the
ground on rainy days.
- At the same MOPS meeting, I met the aunt of a college classmate. We’ve now
connected on Facebook.
- Sioux Center (where the MOPS meeting was held) has a really good coffee shop.
Hooray for The Fruited Plain on Highway 75! Anne, her husband and I went there for
spaghetti night Wednesday. All you can eat for $6.99. Only in Iowa.
- The final edit of Different Dream Parenting may get done today. Which means the
manuscript will beat the April 1 deadline. Yahoo!
- I am 54 and able to walk several miles a day. The path is lovely and safe, the air is
clear, and the birds sing even on snowy days.
So, what’s making you smile this wintery March day? Please add to the list!
