Have you ever stopped still to simply admire a flower in your garden, or been looking in a book filled with lovely painting or photographs? Do you ever take time out of a busy schedule to sit quietly and ponder on how fortunate we really are? Sometimes it seems that a week will slip by and we haven't taken time out to just think. We get frustrated and make up excuses, oh they are all very real ones, such as family commitments, work, housework, time for our friends; the list goes on and on. 
A very wise lady once said to me to take time to pray. Take time to know the meaning of contentment because only when you are quiet and sit and think of the good things in your life (and yes I bet even at your lowest you can find at least one good thing to be thankful for). Following is a list that I made quite a few years ago when I was having a rough time.
Things that I am grateful for:

• Captain Corsair aka my husband( even though after 22 years he still leaves his towel on the bathroom floor for the cleaner aka me to pick up).
• My four very different boys, each one has brought joy and tears.
• My cats, little creatures that understand more than we give them credit for.
• My mother who is my inspiration and so much more.
• My father who I know is always there and who makes me laugh.
• An old farm house that is beautiful in its own way.
• My ability to write and research and write again.
• My imagination that seems to be unstoppable.
• My freedom, in a world where many are not free to write what they feel, worship whom they believe in, live where they want to live.
• And lastly I am thankful that I have a dear friend in Jesus Christ.  

These are ten things that I am thankful for -- I invite you to think of ten things too.