Lofty goals ... and birthdays.

Sometimes reading blogs makes me feel like a failure.

I mean, I've read about amazing people who do random acts of kindness for every year of their life.

There are others who have listed things they desire to see happen for each of their years.

And, if I were 10 and under, I think I could muster the time, energy, and motivation to see something like that to its completion.

Instead, here I am relishing the twilight of my birthday.  Snuggled up on the couch with the Hallmark Christmas movies for motivation, the gas logs for heat, and the yummy candle for ambiance.

And I've reflected about this first birthday back in AR.  And the changes my life has taken in this past year.  And it's been a good year but a tough year.

But in the end, I've re-learned that the "stuff" that matters is not stuff at all, but the people who make our lives rich, and in whom we find meaning and fulfillment, who make us better people, who teach us lessons and with whom we share the joys and the struggles.

And I am thankful today for the vast richness of these sweet relationships in my life.  And I am convinced that my geographical location today had nothing to do with the sweetness of the friendships I am counting.

So, today, I would like to recount 43 reasons I am thankful today.

1. for cozy sweaters and cowboy boots
2. for FB birthday messages
3. for texts and calls and cards and packages
4. for changing leaves
5. for changing seasons
6. for time change that let me sleep an hour extra!
7. for birthday lunch with my family!
8. for chocolate cake
9. for afternoon naps
10. for worship
11. for thoughtful gifts
12. for a day off from work
13. for fuzzy blankets
14. for razorback slippers from a long ago birthday from a inspirational friend
15. for Christmas movies
16. for yummy candle smells
17. for Mexican food
18. for sweet conversations with friends
19. for running
20. for shopping with mom
21. for a movie date with the bro
22. for a SHORTer week ... only 4 days!  woohoo!
23. for not doing lesson plans on a Sunday night
24. for being able to "come home" ...
25. for friends from all places and stages of life
26. for a GA trip in 2 weeks!!
27. for sleep
28. for sweatshirts
29. for flannel pants
30. for diet coke
31. for holidays
32. for being loved
33. for God's grace that covers all my sin
34. for joys of different seasons
35. for friendships that surpass geography
36. for being healthy
37. for joy
38. for fresh starts
39. for mail!
40. for God's amazing provision
41. for strength
42. for life
43. to say "it is well with my soul ..."