- the gift of life -

When you arise in the morning,

think of what a privilege it is to be alive:

to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

-- Marcus Aurelius

The last several days and this weekend have been incredibly healing and refreshing. I cannot get these words or this card out of my mind.

Words that so stirred my heart after being drawn to this card over and over while standing in line at the post office several times in the last year, sometimes I would write down the beginning of the quote, other times the author, and sometimes I would just try to remember it.

But, nevertheless, by the time I got home, I either couldn't remember the quote, the spelling of the author's name, had lost the slip of paper, or got frustrated after googling it and coming up with way too many other variations of the quote, that one day I decided I just needed to buy it.

I love cards. I love buying cards, I love shopping for cards, I love making cards, I love sending and receiving them. But this day I knew I was buying one for an entirely different purpose.

I knew I was buying a card that wasn't going anywhere, but one I knew I desperately wanted and needed. I wanted a daily reminder of the words that captured so much of what I have struggled to, but not had the words to express about how the last couple of years living with and battling this illness has forever changed how I look, think about, feel, or view life.

A time where I have been reminded that every day, and life itself, is truly a gift.

A gift to be cherished and one, (most days), I no longer take for granted.

I don't always feel like that. Which is perfectly normal and okay.
But the last several days and today, I do.

So today, I am celebrating. Celebrating this precious gift of life I have been given.

Grateful for the beautiful people and things in it

and the One who alone gives me life.

You are worthy of ALL praise.