give and take

I will be trying to figure out what time it would be if... for a couple of days.  But as with most things I cannot control, I accept it and move on.  If I were to give it too much thought, I might kick and scream and wish that hour back.  I seem to be at a point in my life when even one hour seems too precious to give up, even to Daylight Savings Time.  Life with my kids has gone from time flies to fast forward.  But how many hours do I waste?  At least one each day.  At least.  God gives each of us the exact same amount of hours in a day... it is what we choose to do with them that matters.  It makes me think about ways I should be spending them, who I should be spending them with...

So... this one hour that we skipped this weekend, it is not much in the grand scheme of things. 
And... in just a few months, it will be given back to us.  A gift?  That depends on each of us... and what we choose to do with it.

Counting 1,000 Gifts with Ann and so many other friends...
31. the card she passed me, the sentiments shared in her handwriting, and her good news... tumor markers continuing to fall-AMEN!
32. just laying next to him, waiting for the thermometer to reveal its rating.
33. schedules and bosses that allow for staying home with mr. sick.
34. the non-chalant way he handed me his progress report, and my continued amazement of his abilities.
35. four of us enjoying the st. patricks' day parade... no where else to be.
36. anticipation of where the ball with go, and the resounding cheer when it rolls in for a hole-in-one.
37. sharing breakfast-turned-brunch and endless conversation with such a great friend.
38. a cool front... and knowing I was not wrong about the last one not being the last one.
39. celebrating mardi gras with pancakes and king cake
40. her excitement about heading out to youth group.
41. a leather bracelet stamped with Isa. 40:31, and his excitement over finding it.
42. sitting outside to read... all of us.
43. his suggestion of sandwiches on the beach... twice.  We never got there this weekend, but it is the thought that counts.
44. a little nursing advice from far away, and how she feels close by, even though she isn't.
45. a few words from the woman sitting next to Laura at the parade... You should be so proud. She said thank you to every single person who handed her anything.  Yeah, we are.  And we thanked her right back, because she took the time to tell us.
46. tylenol. and advil.
47. the way he lets me tuck my feet under him while we are sitting together on the couch.
48. learning something new about Lent... I knew that giving up something was about sacrifice, but what I didn't realize is that you are supposed to fill those cravings with God.  It makes sense now...
49. hot, sweet coffee... and how much I love the Africa mug in my hands.
50. a safe place to live.