I think it was Thursday. The sun didn’t exactly shine bright, but the overcast haziness outside was lighter for a while. There were shadows beneath our trees, shadows that indicate light. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to lift my spirits for an afternoon.
It was my light at the end of the tunnel.
The tunnel of another long Minnesota winter. The tunnel lined with cold, hard, gray day after cold, hard, gray day.
Friday and Saturday brought the return of cold, hard, and gray. I felt the difference, literally, in my body, in my mood, in my mind, and I thought about the difference. The difference between an almost palpable energetic optimism and the feeling of exhausted indifference taking hold, the difference a little sunlight can make.
I realized the date, the fact that we are only a few days away from the end of January. I inhaled deeply, and exhaled, attempting to blow away the gloom.
“We’ve almost made it!”
The thought ran through my head shouting, hooting, and hollering like a high school kid whose football team just took the conference title and was on its way to state. “Woohoo! Yes! Way-To-Go!” “High-five!!” I was seriously celebrating inside.
I was gonna make it.
And here we are. It’s Monday, January 31st, the last day of the month that can be so brutal, the month I usually have to drag myself through, by sheer will power many days. The book of January is closing, and I’ve only had a few dark moments, brief flashes of that dark place “a good mother”, “a good Christian”, tries not to admit to going. Depression. A few moments, brief flashes, that did not overtake, did not defeat.
This is a victory, a small, and yet monumental, personal victory.
So much to be thankful for-
676. pan after pan of cinnamon scones
677. moments of victory
678. knowing that spring always comes, every year
679. thoughts of starting seeds for summer plants
680. 32 weeks of healthy pregnancy
681. finding a forgotton bag of baby girl clothes in the garage
682. a husband holding my belly, grinning wide
683. bean bags
684. silly toddler squeals of delight over bean bags
685. a sister playing so sweetly with a little brother
686. chubby little boy feet
687. whispy blonde little girl hair
688. mint chocolate chip ice cream
689. a husband optimistic about business
690. a sweet book to bless this mother’s heart
A Multitude Monday Giveaway
(more Blogoversary fun! still time to enter 1st giveaway!)
Ann’s new book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, is out! Her (blog) writing has challenged and inspired me so much the past couple years. Her book is challenging and inspiring me now, and I’d like to gift a copy to one of you, praying that you would be challenged and inspired as well. Inspired to a life of gratitude, living in true thankfulness for the multitudes of blessings He bestows on each of us every day, undeserving as we are…
How to enter:
Leave a comment on this post, name just one thing you are thankful for today, by midnight (CST) on Wednesday, February 2nd. Easy-peasy, n’est-ce pas?
And for those of you competitive types, who’d like extra chances to win, you may…
– “Join” An Ordinary Mom on Google Friend Connect (left sidebar)
– “Follow” @Ordinary_Mom on Twitter
– “Tweet” about this giveaway (you can use the share button)
– “Like” An Ordinary Mom on facebook
– “Share” this post on facebook
Leave a separate comment for each entry, you know the drill…
Ok, ready? Name something you’re thankful for today…
Oh, and one more thing- while I normally try not to be all about self-promotion, ’cause that’s really not cool, just for this week, you know, since it’s my little blog party week, I’ll be adding this little plea for validation “vote for me” button, to my posts. If you feel so inclined to click, I thank you kindly in advance 🙂
Love the blessings that you listed in this post! I can wait for spring, it’s my favorite season!!!
I am so thankful for answered prayer. I had something I was really struggling with last week, and yesterday I realized I hadn’t really, fully given it to God. I had prayed about it many times, but I just hadn’t let go – if that makes sense. Not even a half hour after I did I received a phone call with an answer to my prayer. The answer itself was as much of a blessing as the lesson that I learned was. My prayer had actually been answered two days before, I just didn’t know about it until I came to the point where I knew I needed to fully surrender it to God.
Thankful I’ve made it through with less depression this year too although the fatigue has been hitting me hard. I’m happy to bid a fond farewell to January! Adieu!
😉
I am thankful my thyroid levels seem to be right.
I already follow on google connect
I already follow on twitter
I tweeted about the give away
I also like u on fb! My girls ask me daily if it’s spring yet.
I am thankful for my blog and for other blogs where I can read about the grace of God.
Thank you for this chance to win! Today I am thankful for hot chocolate and a warm wood stove!
Blessings
Mrs. White
I am thankful for the spontaneous love and affection my teenage sons show me EVERY day. For coffee delivered to my chilled hands, a heating bag placed over my shoulders, a fleece blanket wrapped around me and kisses on my cheeks, hugs queezing me tight!
Today…I am Thankful that we made the choice to Homeschool our children.
I’ve just tweeted about your give-away.
I’m thankful for my daughter who made breakfast(pancakes!) this morning. She even made me a cup of Earl Grey tea.
I love your list too, BTW.
(If I win, I hope it’s OK that I’m in Canada.)
I’m now following you on Twitter. (I’m Sandpiper2)
Today I am thankful for your giveaway. A PERFECT way to celebrate the end of January…I have similar issues with this long (sometimes seemingly) endless post holiday month! For an idea I was encouraged to pursue by writers I admire.
For sweet children who love me even when I’m a grump.
For the grace to encourage…
LIB
http://bit.ly/fozHzA
I am grateful for discovering Ann’s blog recently. It has brought me healing to read it every day.
I just started following you on Twitter. 🙂
I’m thankful for late night talks full of wisdom from my parents.
Also, I’m thankful for kind words that come at just the right moment.
I am grateful for Groundhog Day. 🙂
(we were engaged on Groundhog Eve, *ahem* some years ago.
I am thankful for so many things…our warm house, a job for my husband, music to lift my spirits. I hope I win the book! It’s on my list of books to read in 2011.
I’m thankful for the little life inside me moving all around today.
I joined with google friend connect!
And I like ya on facebook!
great giveaway! i am thankful for my five beautiful children.
glad to have discovered your blog! blessings, lora (eagerhands@gmail.com)
i’m following your blog now. 🙂 lora
i am following you on twitter now. 🙂 lora
I am thankful for the chance to win Ann V’s book and for finally being a stay-at-home mom again.
I am thankful for lunches out with the girls. It was fantastic today! And even though I’m in CT I feel your long winter pain. But, like you said, we’re going to make it!!
I follow you on Twitter!
I just tweeted about this! sarahn06
I like you on FB!
I joined google connect.
I am now a Follower here on your blog 😉
I meant to tell ya in my first comment (but got excited about the giveaway) that I love #688 Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is my favorite especially the green one. I’m not even sure if there’s a difference in taste I just like it a little better!
And I’m now following you via Twitter!
I am thankful for my loving family and the bright blue sky today!
My girl calling me Mommy instead of her normal Mama when she’s sad. 🙂
Thankful for little ones saying…one more story! God bless – Holly
I shared your post on Facebook.
I am thankful for 2 thank you notes and a note of encouragement in the mail today. Always a nice change from junk mail and bills!
Mostly, everyday I’m thankful for all the prayers that I thought were unanswered….but were really just answered differently than I thought I wanted or needed.
And I’m also thankful for markers being washable.
I am thankful for a loving husband and father to our babies.
With a foot of snow today, I am thankful for a husband and son that I love spending the day with, and lots of hot chocolate!
I am thankful for friendship. God has given me some amazing friends to be honest with, pray with & laugh with. I would love to win this book.
I shared this on facebook. Is it spring yet?