love and gifts and blessed beyond measure...

It was just a little bit of radio on the way home... Joy sharing how she was in the water with dolphins over the weekend, and her co-host saying that if she considers that swimming with dolphins,  then he had been on safari with lions... because he had been to the zoo.  But that little bit of silly conversation caused my eyes to fill with tears, thankful tears... because I have done both. For real. 

Discovery Cove 2011

Tanzania 2010

In the moment, the experience is wild and wonderful, and you recognize that just to be able to do this is an incredibly special thing.  And then later, when you look back at the pictures that documented your adventure, the tears come fully... knowing that the experience was a blessing through and through.  And the joy of sharing those beautiful, extravagant moments with the people I love? Just one more beautiful gift.

Love comes in many packages...
The snuggle of your child, big or small. Someone getting out of bed to turn off the light so you don't have to, or the tumbling of the lock when hands are full.  In the giving of a gift... extravagant or small. Or... receiving one with a joyful heart.

I am so thankful for every smidgen of love that comes my way...