Living – Laughing – Loving

I am in my sweet spot. I have all my family together here in Austin, and if that weren’t enough, Shawntel’s family is here too! I said, yesterday, that my blogs about graduation had come to an end since Brennan’s graduation commencement was last night. Today I am talking about the aftermath of graduation!

The aftermath is a big graduation party at the Wuerch’s where we’ll be in our casual clothes, sitting in comfortable chairs, eating yummy pizza from their outdoor pizza oven and sharing living, laughing and loving each other.

For me, it means catching up on each other’s lives, getting my family picture taken, and being truly thankful. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Living….really living this life we’ve been given — with all its many adventures. Laughing out loud during the good living and the tough-living-times. AND, most of all LOVING God, others, AND ourselves.

Sure, there’s plenty to complain and worry about but, seriously, why waste time, energy, and breath on complaining, when there is so much to celebrate and be grateful for?

Here’s what I know: Gratitude begets even more reasons to be grateful; living, really living, begets more out loud living; laughing begets laughter and a life intent on loving and serving God will produce the desire to love and serve Him even more.

So, I MUST express my gratitude for the last few days here in Austin so that I’ll continue to have even more reasons to be grateful. I like that. It’s God’s laws of reciprocity. “Give and it shall be given.”

What a precious time of laughter and entertainment! The Wuerch’s finally moved into their new home that includes an amusement park. Well, not really, but there is plenty to do here.

The younger ones will be swimming, playing pickleball, playing pool or watching a movie in their theater room. And we older folks will catch up on our times of trailblazing. Brennan will open his graduation gifts and we will be oohing and aahing at his bounty.

I believe gratitude is taught. We can teach our children to be grateful for what they have. Our family talks daily about our blessings and our gratitude. My children understand they are blessed.

Yesterday, there were 30 of us at Saltlick Restaurant in Driftwood, TX enjoying our time of gratitude together. “Thanksgiving-living” is what we call it!

And, you know what? I saw us. I REALLY saw us. We were a village like no other. At least it seemed that way when I saw we were all busy talking, laughing, and eating. We were conscious of each other.

We were living, laughing and loving as we talked – sometimes silly talk. We were embracing and holding each other close to our hearts – so much so, that I only took my phone out to take a photo or two of this little village of love. The attention to each other mattered.

Here’s where I go rogue in my thinking. Looking at my entire family together, I couldn’t help feeling my husband’s love – living, breathing and laughing with us. After all, if it weren’t for him AND me – this little village wouldn’t be here together. We have family. We have a roof over our heads, laughter in our hearts, and lots of love surrounding our every moment.

We can all find fault in this life. We can all wish and want for more, but the real blessings are the smallest moments and memories we cherish. I’m grateful I taught my children to be grateful and, now, they are teaching their children to be grateful for the little things. We are teaching them to be happy at the deepest level in life – love – laughter.

And, THAT is a gift every child deserves AND this mother cherishes!