tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550180966906196055.post8219667304617428312..comments2023-07-08T10:48:38.190-04:00Comments on my goodly heritage: GratitudeMartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14494813731003889158noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550180966906196055.post-75176511727003868232009-08-17T21:35:50.002-04:002009-08-17T21:35:50.002-04:00kate: yes yes yes. that's all.kate: yes yes yes. that's all.Martahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14494813731003889158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550180966906196055.post-55060032812557181652009-08-17T15:05:19.075-04:002009-08-17T15:05:19.075-04:00I'm grateful for the cheerful and forgiving na...I'm grateful for the cheerful and forgiving nature of my six-year-old. He has fits of stormy temper, during which, I regret to say, I am generally at my worst as a mother. And yet, when it's all over, he seems to forget the whole thing and is as affectionate as ever, lavish with his hugs and kisses. As someone with a tendency to hold a grudge, I'm grateful that he doesn't.Kate Haashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04287671961803525930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550180966906196055.post-25099956646733707072009-08-15T08:46:23.601-04:002009-08-15T08:46:23.601-04:00eric: you know that i long to add you in a more p...eric: you know that i long to add you in a more present way to my list of new boyfriends, right? start writing and send me more of your stuff -- i just loved the first batch you sent! or come visit again. you sound content; i'm glad. love to your beautiful grrls.<br /><br />becca: i know i'm in a new phase of parenting when it occurred to me, long after i hit "publish," that i hadn't included my kids in my list. maybe that's because it's the dog-days of summer and i'm kinda feeling overstimulated by all the togetherness ... but yes, all the things you say, everything, including how you describe yourself as a parent. i often find myself wishing that your suburban neighborhood was just down the street from my gritty urban one!Martahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14494813731003889158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550180966906196055.post-26848746272475008222009-08-14T13:05:52.010-04:002009-08-14T13:05:52.010-04:00I particularly agree with your comment about your ...I particularly agree with your comment about your neighborhood. We have a similar, albeit suburban, set up of wandering children, playing in the street, communal toys, drop ins, drop offs and hand-me-downs.<br /><br />I guess I would add three things:<br />1) My sister. While we didn't get along well as kids, we are now best friends. And although we are three hours away and don't get to see each other as often as we'd like, there is a scary sympatico. I used to describe us as very different, and there are still differences, but when we talk about emotional issues it's amazing how we come from exactly the same place. We hardly need to explain how we feel. It's a gift.<br /><br />2) My work. I'm not defined by work nor do I have high aspirations to ascend to some high place career wise. But I am grateful that I have work I love, that has meaning, I have a boss who encourages and teaches me, my commute which is painless enough, for my 4 1/2 day schedule which is always respected and I get paid a decent enough wage with good benefits. Especially in this economy, that is something to value.<br /><br />3) My kids. Just as I am not defined by my work, I am not a super mom. I don't play with them much, I have lots of rules, I yell, I enjoy being without them, etc. But I know they make my life richer, and they challenge me to keep my world larger than it would be if I didn't have kids. They keep me from being too rigid. They also validate my deeply held suspicion that, despite my faults, I am a very good mom.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14835794533961411513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550180966906196055.post-43829075726663725222009-08-14T08:42:59.763-04:002009-08-14T08:42:59.763-04:00I'm grateful for three weeks of much-needed va...I'm grateful for three weeks of much-needed vacation, that reminds me that it's good to rest and sleep. I'm grateful for being able to write (even though I've lately done little to none). I'm grateful for the torrent of dreams I've been having since going on vacation. Divine intricate puzzles that tap into deep emotions and their release. I'm grateful for you, reminding me that there's so much for which to be grateful. I'm grateful for hooking up again with Andy, Matt, and Anne in Vermont (Emily was unfortunately called away). I'm grateful for my family, and my ever deepening love for them.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00407131740895072914noreply@blogger.com