Thankful Thursday

I was thinking about gifts the other day.   On my mind were gifts from people who are no longer in my life, but I use the gifts often.

There is a ladder that is lightweight, doesn't take a lot of space, yet makes my life easier.  It was given to me to keep me safe.  I have a tendency to be a klutz, especially when stressed.

I have a glider rocker, given to me over 25 years ago, it is still a comfie chair for reading, still looks good and is still in my living room.

My stick blender was another gift that I use often.

Then there are gifts that may not have seemed like one at the time.  One of my friends was a major support through some really rough times.  She was in my corner supporting me when I barely stood up for myself.  I made some major adjustments in my life and my life is awesome because of her.  

A boyfriend gave me a Christmas puppy.  She was the first dog I got as an adult.  I love dogs, I miss having them.  I had dogs for the next 25 years, I am just on a pause until life is less crazy.  It isn't fair to a puppy to be gone 14 hours several days a week.  Eventually, I will be writing and YouTubing only and I will have my companion.  My second dog was an oops puppy, yes I took him.  The next dog that was MINE, I coaxed out of a ditch after I saw him going up to vehicles at a business and sniffing doors.  He was a 6 month puppy that spent the next 15 years with me.

I also got to share several dogs with their owners.  

My cat was rescued off the street by a friend of a friend and I took him on the basis of one picture.  He is a lover.  Poor guy has feline immuno-virus, but he has a good life with me.  Free pets are never free.

Other gifts, Mom paid for my college application for nursing school and sent it off.  I was accepted and have been an RN for over 30 years now.

I get gifted flowers from work, and I enjoy them while they last.

The perfect Mother's Day gift was a screened tent.  I loved sitting outside in the evening but hated getting bitten up by mosquitos.   The tent was perfect.

Another Mother's Day gift, I mentioned I loved flowers, but didn't like how they died.  I came home to a patio filled with potted flowering plants.

I forgot how many of these gifts I still have.  In some ways it was the thought behind the gift that was so awesome.  When I feel stressed or anxious, I count the things in my life I feel thankful for.  My brain unwinds, I relax and I can sleep.  

What gift do you still remember because it was so perfect at the time?