gathering gratitude

• Sometimes I marvel at the twists and turns that my life has taken. Despite being an average student at Earlham College back in the 1970's, I have somehow found myself, years later, serving on its board...a deep and precious honor for me. Working with fine people to move the mission of the school forward is a blessing I hold close to my heart. Being part of Saturday's Inauguration celebrations was indeed a special treat. To read David Dawson's Inauguration Address, click here. It's a long read, but filled with hope and wisdom. 
• Every time I am on the campus at Earlham, I remember how grateful I am to have met Batman there, in the fall of 1974. Seriously folks, what luck!
• Hannah was able to come over to campus from her place in Ohio and we had some really good time to visit, both as a mother/daughter team and with some of her friends as well. As I walked across the heart after the ceremonies on Saturday, my phone rang and it was Stewart, just calling to check in. And Lindsey had spent the weekend at our place in Vermont with a posse of 11 (!) of her friends. She began a brand new job yesterday where she will be able to answer her call to to be working with teens. And I finally had a chance to catch up with Gretta (on the phone) who's still in love with Australia. Count them...four kids...all doing good things in the world. How cool is that?
• We are in the midst of my favorite season, and I am soaking up the scent of the leaves underfoot, the bounty of autumn veggies on our supper table, the pinch of chill in the air and the magically filtered light that I can't seem to get enough of.
• I've been yearning to find a way to gather my days, and I found a very sweet format (via Pinterest) that I think I'll try for a month or so, here.
• As the days close in on colder weather and more indoor activity, here's a wealth of ideas for books, movies and music. Many thanks to a very sweet blog, "tiny happy".
• Tomorrow I head back up to Vermont, to help my cousin Kristen and her partner, Gary move into a house they bought while visiting us this summer. I know! How crazy is that? Soon, we will be living about 7 miles from one another. We are three months apart in age, our Moms are sisters and I love her to bits. We haven't lived near one another since before we each went off to college. For this wonderful turn of events, I am most grateful.

What happens when you count your blessings? Do they tend to snowball, or do you struggle to find things to count? Sadly, living in this world can lead us in either direction...what are your thoughts?