The power is out all over the tri-state area. Yesterday’s storm took down tress and power lines all over my neighborhood. This morning, my friend walked over for a cup of coffee cooked on my gas stove, and announced that 70,000 residents had reported power outages. It is estimated that it will take several days to restore power. As we walked around my neighborhood, the damage was devastating. Trees and branches had fallen on cars, roofs, and blocked streets. I consider myself lucky. My only damage so far was a downed segment of my wooden fence. My fear is that without working sump pumps, my basement could flood. But overall, I am filled with gratitude for the blessing of an intact home.
“Barnes & Noble is open in the mall, Mom,” said my daughter. “Let’s go. We can charge our cell phones and use our computers at the free WiFi stations.” Brilliant! So, here I sit, at a coveted table, charging my phone and computer. I have been approached by many people in search of an available outlet. If I was the scheming type, I could probably make good money selling access to my outlets!
When things are taken away, I am much more grateful for what I do have. So today, I am thankful for the reminder to be grateful for a warm and safe home, and the ability to run a business from home, complete with internet, phone, printer and fax machine. I am appreciative of Google, enabling me to do research from home. I thank my washer, dryer, and dishwasher for making life so much easier. I have a newfound appreciation for my curly hair, and the fact that I am no longer dependent on blow dryers or hair straighteners.
And now, alas, I must give up my Barnes & Noble table and return to my dark, unheated home. But I am fully charged in more ways than one. I am able to make cell phone calls from my fully charged battery, and I have renewed energy and appreciation to take on the day.
Did you have a recent crisis that reminded you to be grateful for what you had?
