Monday's Worst and Best

Notice I put the worst first?  I'm a "happy ending" kind of gal, so I always want the bad first and end with the good.

Last week seemed busy - I had a couple lunches out, one that had me a bit nervous but it turned out just fine after all.  We had a shopping trip (for something specific) that I expected to take w-a-y longer than it did. Though we planned for and expected to be invited to help celebrate a couple grandchilluns' birthdays,  that didn't happen so actually we ended up a bit less busy than we expected.

This caused me disappointment.

And in between we've fussed over the yard and the garden and a couple trees that have under-performed this year.  The Husband finally succumbed. Though he tried valiantly to keep up the yard (and this year he has a grandson to help) he finally admitted it was just too much.  Friday morning, the service we've had a few times in the past was working in the neighborhood - he dashed across the street and enlisted them for the summer. It was a tough decision for him.  I'm glad he finally did it.  Especially when I saw how much lighter his mood was the rest of the weekend.  Having the lawn done meant that his time was freed up for stuff he keeps postponing for lack of time. 

We actually saw a movie over the weekend and enjoyed it.  It's been quite some time between movies for us, were happy to see this one with friends and end the evening with dinner and ice cream mixed with tons of conversation.  It was even pleasant enough to sit on the patio and chat as the sun set.

Saturday was a good day all around.

And for Monday's worst?  I headed out this morning to walk, having decided to walk the south end of the trail, haven't been out there for over a year.  Only to be met with a 6 foot chain link fence.  I ended up backtracking and walking around a new-ish park. And while it felt good to be out in the morning cool (41 degrees when I left the house) my mental state wasn't as lifted as usual.  Being disappointed wasn't my favorite way to start the week.

This was filled with love.

But then, Monday's best? The mail today included a (rare) couple of thank you cards.   It's truly wonderful that loved ones see the importance of recognizing (let alone acknowledging) gifts that have been chosen with care and effort and often include a measure of generosity.  I'm glad those manners aren't yet obsolete.

So today I'm grateful for this Monday, for the bit of balance that has been evident.  I'm grateful for my morning walks, no matter where they are and for the moderation of high temps we've already seen this summer (and according to the calendar it isn't even officially summer yet).  I'm grateful for those who say thank you in ways other than a text - for whatever the reason;  gratitude is always appropriate.  And I'm grateful to know how important that gratitude is, I'm pretty sure Heavenly Father loves it when we're grateful.