The Generosity of February
Today I am grateful for my arms and legs, fingers and toes, and how they work together to allow me to experience life and contribute to it.
I will return to components of our amazing human bodies in my next post, and continue my way through the end of the alphabet on my A-Z gratitude journey, but today is about the generosity of February. Generosity is my word for the year. I slipped away from it in recent weeks, caught up in other pursuits and busy times. It is helpful to return to it with some focused writing. I will strive to keep it a daily focus as I move into March. When I arrive with a generous mindset, I open up to much more—whether it be mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or physically—and I extend more kindness and acceptance to myself and others.
Here are some ways that generosity extended itself to me in the last month:
*The weather. We had thawing and snowing, gray and sun, longer days, impressive and colorful sunrises and sunsets that left an impression on me and my days.
*The growing daylight deserves its own mention because it is so welcome and hopeful after the darker months of winter.
*Memories and thoughts of my father, who celebrated his last earthly birthday 25 years ago yesterday, and his first birthday 99 years ago. He was a kind and gentle man overall, in his farmer overalls. He enjoyed making conversation, playing cards, snoozing in the recliner, grabbing a late night snack before bed, farming, his family, and had a special place for his grandchildren. Many more grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been born since he died. I wish they could have known him personally.
*My recovery friend who died last week. He was also a kind and gentle man, and you can add wise and focused. He was focused on his daily recovery and helped others find their way too. He died sober, with 37 years of sobriety and his family at his side. There is so much beauty and strength in that. As we gathered and remembered our friend shortly after hearing the news, my fellow friends in recovery and I shared memories, his legacy, laughter, and tears. There is so much beauty and strength in that.
*Travels to South Dakota and Iowa to visit my husband Darcy’s family and to help celebrate my mom’s 92nd birthday. Time away and time in two of my previous towns of residence—Sioux Falls, SD and Ossian, Iowa—was pleasant and restorative.
*Modern dentistry and the second step in the implant process for one of my teeth–preparing the screw that was placed months ago and taking impressions so the implant crown can be created. I have insurance, the means to cover the rest of the cost, and accessible care right here in town. All are blessings.
*Weekly Zoom calls with my sisters. We began these in late March 2020, just as the pandemic was pulling the rug out from under our notion of normal. Our conversations keep us connected regularly and in new ways. I appreciate the generous access to technology we all have, as we join from five states and across thousands of miles.
*Numerous runs, walks, and snowshoe treks in the winter elements. Nature is always so very generous, and I seek that generosity daily.
February brought generosity into my life in many ways, sought and unsought. How about you?
