{So much to be grateful for}

I love the holiday season. LOVE it. ["Holiday" including Thanksgiving... no worries you turkey lovers, you] I love the smells, I love the food, I love the family, I love the parties, I love the gift giving and receiving, I love the shopping, I love the lights, I love the decorations, I love basically everything about it. But what I love most is the spirit in the air. People seem to be happier, friendly, more loving.

Evette and I went to the grocery store the other day - It was such a great shopping trip.

The grocery store workers were so helpful. Evette and I got stopped a couple of times in the store by fellow shoppers and workers so that they could comment on what a beautiful baby Evette is. We got many happy holidays and well wishes for the season. The cashier was having a wonderful conversation with an older lady ahead of me in line about her grandchildren and fun family plans for Thanksgiving. The cashier was so nice and was telling her to just enjoy her time and to take lots of pictures...genuinely interested in what she had to say. When I went out to my car to load up my groceries a little old lady parked next to me asked me if I was ready for the holidays and I said that I was. She stopped, turned to me, and very seriously said, "You know, I feel like I have a lot to be grateful for this year." I said that I did as well. She then turned and with her cane, pulled herself into her big car. I noticed that she had a handicapped parking pass hanging from her window and yet she was parked near the back of the parking lot. I wonder if all the handicapped parking was full and she was forced to park this far away, and if she was, she was not angry or bitter, she was grateful. If she chose to park that far away, she must have a love and zeal for life and doesn't let much hold her back.

I loved that shopping trip. I loved how happy everyone was that we ran into. I loved the many examples I saw of kindness, generosity, gratitude, and love. I love the holiday season. I am grateful for so much. I'm glad there is a focus on gratitude and service this time of year. I hope that I can carry the holiday spirit of love and gratitude with me as long as possible.

I have so much to be grateful for, and the list keeps growing... :)

And what's a blog post without pictures of Evette?

Look at that smile!!!! I caught a little one on camera! She is turning into such a smiler! I love it! It's hard to catch pictures of it though, because if you put a camera in front of her face she gets distracted and stops smiling lol