'An Attitude of Gratitude...'

Today was okay. Started early with work and was kind of melancholy, but nothing too unusual. I'd wanted to call my family pretty much all morning--the kids had slept at 'hammy shans' so i knew i could call there; however, I did NOT want to wake them up. So I let a few hours pass and figured it was safe to call them around 10 o'clock their time--no answer--so i called a few more times--each time leaving crazy messages for my mom. even calling her land line--which if you know anyone in the family you know that is the least effective means of communication--I'd have better luck with 2 plastic cups and a string tied between them ;)

NO luck still.

Finally I gave up on 'hammy shans' phones and called uncle brad--sure enough--Sammy answered the phone!!! "Ah-eeE, Ah-eeE, Ash-eEE!!!" I got to talk to them--they were on their way to Hogle Zoo! and boy were they excited! The train--and of course the "mohn-kee's" (Samantha's new word--and it is really cute.) So I talked to them until they were in the parking lot and then let them go :( a little saddened by the 3,000 miles when 'Stockt-O' said so how many days until you come to UTA-hh? How many hours? That's a lot.

I couldn't get the kids off my mind all day! I called my mom's phone which obviously she did not have on her--3 or 4 times. Then finally I called Uncle Brad again--just wanting to hear their voices. I know it must sound crazy cause long amounts of time have passed since they moved to Ohio and I can't talk to them--but I called again--

They had just been in a car accident. A complete tire had come off a truck and had mangled the front end of my brothers fiances car. I am so grateful they weren't in his little BMW. I am so grateful the tire didn't go through the windshield. All 3 little ones were sleeping in their car seats in the back seat--only Syd stirring awake as the accident happened--with my mom in the front seat and Brad driving--how grateful I am that they were safe. When someone said they must have had angels watching out for them--Little Sydney added in--'it was my daddy."
How grateful I am for the people I love. Abby's new little Subaru has definitely seen better days--but it doesn't even matter--considering what it kept safe today.
A few days ago--a really good friend had suggested that I make some lists of the good things in my life-people and circumstances--and i had tried--it just wasn't very easy. So I have really made it a matter of prayer to seek and cultivate a greater attitude of gratitude--today that prayer was answered in a striking way...maybe not so graciously--but undeniably. I am so grateful for all those people that were protected in that car today--for my other brothers, and my dad. For the thousands of good people I have known in my life--and even for the days like today where the fragile nature of life is revealed so as to render a greater appreciation for those around us right now.