This week has been a roller coaster of emotions ranging from anxiety about getting the house ready for company in the midst of concerns about Grisabella’s worsening health, to joy at seeing and being able to spend many days with my sister and friend, to heartbreak over the loss of our sweet Grisabella, to contented enjoyment of the sights of my city and gorgeous summer weather. And throughout all the ups – and even the downs – there have been plenty of reasons for gratitude.
Hope you’ll join me in this week’s Gratitude Linkup!
(If you’d like a bit of background on why I started the Gratitude Linkup, check out this post.)
How to get involved in the Gratitude Linkup
- Write and post an entry in your own blog containing your gratitude list for a moment in time.
- Share the URL to your gratitude blog post by clicking the “add your link” button at the end of this post and filling out the information.
- Share the Gratitude Linkup with your blog readers by clicking the “get the InLinkz code” link at the end of this post and copy/pasting the appropriate code into your gratitude blog post.
- Visit some of the blogs listed in the Gratitude Linkup and comment on their posts.
My Gratitude List
In no particular order, here is my own gratitude list for this moment in time. I hope that after reading it you’ll go on to write and share your own!
- Being able to get over our irrational fear of using a gas barbecue… and that our first attempts to do so were successful and nothing blew up!
- Paid vacation time.
- Safe travels for and time spent with my sister and friend.
- That, even though it made for a very sad happening in the midst of their vacation, my sister and friend – the consummate cat lovers – were here with us when we made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Grisabella. Their comfort, understanding, and support meant (and continues to mean) so very much to Peter and I.
- The time we were given with our dear Grisabella, and the two wonderful boys she left us to love.
- Kindness and support from online friends.
- Opportunities to learn about our city’s rich history.
- Windsor’s beautiful riverfront.
- The City of Windsor for offering free “Art Cart” tours with a fun and informative tour guide.
- The start of curb construction on our street. Our long nightmare of roadwork is finally coming to an end!
- Discovering new-to-me shops in my neighbourhood – places I’ve always wanted to visit, but never got around to it prior to having guests from out of town.
- Really good service from sales clerks who go the extra mile.
- The official arrival of summer, with a day of perfect weather to mark it.

Twitter: RamblinGarden
June 22, 2014
1. Paid vacation, and getting an extra week starting this year due to seniority. I’ve already had to use that time due to caregiving situations. 2. Being able to see family this week. 3. Being able to sit outside with my laptop, something an aging relative I visited this week now finds it difficult to do. 4. My spouse (and why am I putting him at #4??)
Alana recently posted… 1515
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Great list, Alana! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
Twitter: lvfromana
June 22, 2014
What a lovely idea to have a gratitude list! I am grateful for being alive and in good health and for all the love in my life. Also for the summer and much milder weather and being able to go on vacation.
Ana recently posted… 5 Clear Signs You’re With The Wrong Guy
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Wonderful list, Ana! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
This post is making me think how instead of cursing bad things, we should be grateful for all the good things that happened 🙂 Nice write up Lauren 🙂
Swathi Shenoy recently posted… Last Day of Life!!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Thank you, Swathi. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
Twitter: Sophie_Bowns
June 22, 2014
I love the look of the drink in the 1st picture!
Your gratitude list is a really good idea, I must make one!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
It was delicious and refreshing!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
Twitter: Lifecoach-_miste
June 22, 2014
Thank you so much for sharing your list as well as inviting us to do the same. Have a blessed week.
Master Life Coach Miste recently posted… THE STRESS STRATEGIST “TOP FIVE” GRATITUDE LIST 6/22/2014
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Thank you – you as well! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
Twitter: monicadeshp
June 22, 2014
I love the idea of a gratitude list. I have more to be thankful for than I have to rant about. My family and friends top that list. The fact that I live in a free country where I can express my opinions without fear comes next. Wait, I’m going to start compiling that. Thanks for sparking it off!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 22, 2014
Wonderful list – glad to spark you off! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
Twitter: bonnielfrank
June 22, 2014
I’m sorry to hear about Grisabella, and I’ve had to make that same horrible decision, too, so I know how sad you feel. I’m so glad that you listed her twice on your gratitude list. 🙂
Bonnie a.k.a. LadyBlogger recently posted… Link Up To the Social Media Mixer!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 23, 2014
Thank you for understanding. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
Even though there was sorrow, glad you were able to have a visit with your sister and friend. It was good they were there to support you and Peter.
I always am appreciative of good customer service.
Have a great week
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 23, 2014
Thanks, Kathy – you as well.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
Twitter: shyvish
June 22, 2014
So sorry to hear about your loss. I am thankful that you are able to feel gratitude for everything even in the midst of your loss.
Shailaja V recently posted… Bitter Rivals- Five Sentence Fiction
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 23, 2014
Thank you, Shailaja. 🙂
Yay! for great visit with family, discovering new shops, grilling, and weather! Virtual hugs for the loss of Grisabella :'(
Life Breath Present recently posted… Gratitude Linkup – Week of 6/22/14
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 23, 2014
Thank you very much. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Goodbye, Grisabella
Twitter: writercat
June 23, 2014
Love your weekly gratitude list, Laurel. I’m trying to adopt that as part of my blogging ritual. I find Monday mornings hard and can often be in a grumpy state of mind. Feeling grateful always cures me from that. Thanks!
Cathy Graham recently posted… Gratitude List for the week
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 23, 2014
I’m so glad you’re participating, Cathy, and that the timing is so perfect! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Eating breakfast for dinner
Thanks for providing this white space for us to share our gratitude!
kd sullivan recently posted… When God Answers Your Unspoken Requests
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 24, 2014
You’re most welcome! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 8
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