I’m Grateful For …

1. The moments spent with my grandparents in their old farmhouse, sitting on a stool by the fire and playing my fiddle. My grandad records my songs on an old tape recorder. He listens to them whenever I’m not actually there to play. Every visitor who comes to their house pays the penalty; they have to spend fifteen minutes listening to my music. He brought them in his car and had Gran’s hairdresser listen to them. He played them over the phone for my aunt. He erased a whole album of other songs he enjoys that he had recorded so that mine could fit on there. Whenever I tinkle the ivories of the old, out of tune piano (and when I say old, I mean old; Grandad’s father got it second-hand eighty five years ago) Gran comes into the room and hums along or dances the old waltzes she used to know. They’re real “old folks”. They have an old house, know old songs, and speak with the good old country accent.

2. Tea. Just black tea with milk and sugar twice a day, thanks. Sadly, I know a couple of tea snobs who laugh at me for having sugar (this includes my own brother, a traitor who, before he started going to college, would drink tea with an entire spoonful). Tea with milk and sugar, brewed in a teapot, is friendlier and far more comforting than herbal.

3. My country. Not to offend you all, but it’s the best country in the world. Hopefully you think the same about your own respective countries because we need more patriots in this world.

4. My journal. It is my firm belief that everyone should own a journal in their lifetime, no matter how little they believe they have to say. We all have stories and something wise buried deep inside us, and they might come out through our pens if we try. Sometimes nonfiction is more beautiful than the most exciting adventures and sweetest romances we can dream up.

5. The internet. Sure, it has about forty five million downsides. But I can have a connection with people from around the world, share my work, and learn more about practically anything I want. I mean, did you know that bananas are berries?

6. My family. But if you’ve read my other posts, you probably know that by now.

7. Imagination. Imagine if we didn’t have it. We wouldn’t even be able to imagine that!

8. My faith. You’ll also know that if you’ve read my other posts ;)

9. Prose (actual prose, as well as the website). I’m so glad I have a place to share my little pieces with other writers!

10. Early mornings. The kind where I actually get up, have a coffee, and walk down to the church with my brother (who, despite his tea snobbishness, has got to be one of the best brothers the world has ever seen) to thank God for everything I haven’t mentioned here.