"I Woke Up"

I woke up today.

That's either a really profound statement or I'm lowering the bar on the expectations for my life and day. 

24 hours ago, I wasn't sure what my level of expectation was. I was puking like a dog over the course of about 9 hours and was pretty sure that I had not been as sick in recent history, if ever. I had forgotten that my stomach could hold (or expel) that much. I also forgot what it felt like to exercise my ab muscles.

What I will never forget is the reintroduction of Sonic tater-tots to the visible world. And with that, I will spare you any more details. (you're welcome)
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But I woke up today, feeling better... weak but better. And thankful.

I shared a couple of posts ago about some of the things that I'm thankful for. And while I'm thankful for those things and people, I am guilty of taking them for granted.

And having come through 'puke day' yesterday, I realize that I take my health for granted. I take life for granted. While I have been cognizant of staying healthy through flu and cold season, I rarely think to articulate that to God. And even as I go through each day, living and breathing, I find that it is a rare occasion where I give God credit.

I did not come up with the "I Woke Up" epiphany. I read it in a book that I've been reading over the last few days, Same Kind of Different As Me. That phrase was spoken by a cheerful homeless man who was asked why he was so happy, and that was his response- he woke up that day.

If you're like me, you have a very small connection, if any, to a statement like that, or to the context into which it was spoken. I have never had anything seriously threaten my ability and opportunity to get up in the morning and go about my day. I haven't had anything seriously impede anything I've wanted to do or accomplish. I've been blessed, and, yes, I've taken that for granted. Rarely have I marveled at waking up enough to thank God for the miracle that it is.

Anyway... I could tell you a lot about the book, but I don't want to spoil the effect. I'll tell you that it's one of the best, challenging, and inspiring reads that I've had in a long time. And yes, while I kept my composure, my eyes did well up with tears a couple times.

I will tell you this much: it's a story of privilege meeting poverty, of haves and have nots, and the amazing common ground that can be found when people allow themselves to cross over and relate to people who are...different.

Read the book. It's worth it. 
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...speaking of 'different,' one of my neighbors is mowing lawn in the pouring rain, as I write.

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Maybe one of the greatest life lessons that I'm learning in this transition season is to be thankful. I am not entitled to and have not earned anything that I have. Everything is a gift.

And speaking of thankful... I'm thankful, especially now, that my neighbor took a break from mowing for a bit, since it's hailing.