Every morning includes a walk with our retired racer Greyhound, Oreo. This morning was just like they all have been lately since the long, cold, dreary winter is gone. We are accompanied every day, now, by a beautiful avian chorus from start to finish. Just Oreo, me, and the music coming from the woods and trees. For so long it was a real chore to get out of bed in the morning. Years of living and working in loud, rough neighborhoods. The neighborhood of my mind was the most cluttered. Cluttered with the “Hopefully tomorrows,” “Why me’s,” and “Where are you, God. You surely can’t be here!”
The bird choir that we are now hearing follows us throughout our walks. The Robin and other songbirds singing beautifully. The Mourning Doves cooing hauntingly. The Geese honking loudly for attention. The Ducks quacking for scraps. The Jays and Crows screaming their warnings. The Woodpeckers pecking out their percussion on the trees to keep the tempo moving along.
It wasn’t always like this and probably that is why I so deeply enjoy this activity to start my every day, now.
I feel that I want this as part of my everyday life just as I once craved alcohol to be part of my everyday life. When Oreo and I are walking the subdivision roads or trails in the woods, I constantly have one thought going through my mind. “Thank you, God!” I don’t have to even add any more or list what I am grateful for. This is because I realize that EVERYTHING I have now is because of what He has blessed me with.
I am truly Too blessed to be stressed. I have a wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. AND THEY LOVE ME! I have an 8-year-old pup that adores me. I have actual friends, not just acquaintances, that think well of me. I am reminded of the time we were celebrating one of our grandson’s birthdays. He had gotten a large box of tiny cars. He ran his hands through them and shouted “I’m Rich!”
I, too, am RICH! Thank you, God!
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