Eight Reasons Why It's Great to Be Who I Am or Something Like That

Sandi, bless her heart, tagged me again! That's Sandi right there just before she tapped me soundly. (Yes, this little giffie is a shameless rip-off and I apologize right up front to both one and all, but most especially to Sandi and to her dear friends who created such a thing of beauty for her only to have it all messed up by moi. Sorry!) ;>

Let me preface this by sharing the definition I once heard for an optimist: An optimist is a person who, after falling from a forty-story building, yells at every floor, "I'm okay!"

And that about describes where I am these days; It feels as if there's a big splat in my future. I hate to be a hypocrite don'tcha know. Yesterday, I shared two quotes that I love and want very much to be true. I don't always feel them; nevertheless, I want them, earnestly desire them, but I am not always living them. Okay, now that I have been perfectly clear, my conscience will allow me to carry on with this list. (Oh, and by the way, isn't Sandi the best little armchair psychologist ever getting me to think about my blessings?)

1. Despite a childhood that wasn't all that pleasant, my parents did their best to love and support me. A challenging childhood helps me to understand others who endured difficulties in their own.

2. Despite marrying the wrong man, I have a wonderful daughter and a wonderful son and two terrific grandsons. I wouldn't have it any other way. Sometimes the trade-offs make a difficult thing worth it all.

3. Despite my sister's also marrying the wrong man, I have two terrific nieces, too.

4. Despite leaving college in my junior year, I was able to return and earn my degree eleven years later. My education has meant a lot to me...much more the second time around than the first.

5. Despite having left teaching, there are those who call me their favorite teacher. This astounds me and humbles me. Their letters are tucked among my treasures. It's still a joy after all this time.

6. Despite being a moping shell of a person lately, people have continually reached out to me. It is a blessing to have friends...real and the not-so-real. Yes, even the figs are a big blessing. (Figs=figments of my imagination otherwise known as you.)

7. Despite living alone, pets are terrific. I've loved so many, lost so many, but a good cat is a wonderful gift. My cat is a sweet companion; she's a good little comforter, too.

8. Despite feeling lonely sometimes, I've known the love of family and friends. Loneliness is a choice.

I should force myself to do this exercise every day, but then you'd be calling me Oprah.

I've seen many versions of this meme about, including one that requires many more than eight points. (I see that Robin did one recently and she did 15! Fifteen! That would've killed me.)

Now I'm choosing the following ladies because I want to know eight things (or more) about them that make them grateful to be who they are or something like that:

CC at Six Months of Settled

Brenda at Coffee Tea Books and Me

Jan at The Life and Times of Li'l Ol' Me (Jan has already been tagged and is sprinting away as fast as a jackrabbit. This will give her even more to ponder.)

Ladies, you know that I won't be one bit offended if this doesn't fit into your blogging plans. Feel perfectly free to interpret this meme any way that you desire...unlike "the good book," adding to or taking away is perfectly acceptable.

A delightful Monday to you all!

ETA: Blogger has been particularly difficult this morning so I apologize for things not looking quite right. I'm going to make a pot of chamomile tea so that I may chill out now.