1001 Gifts

I’ve thought about this post for a while. What would I say once I counted 1000 gifts? Would I know things I hadn’t known before? Would I be different, changed? Would I keep counting?

One month ago, I counted my 1001st gift.

We were at The Sacred Gifts exhibit – BYU’s MOA, and it was this piece, Christus Consolator. I had never noticed all the different people crowding Jesus, needing him. The man who felt unworthy, the man in chains, the skeptic, the woman in mourning. We, in our varied states of want, are all these individuals, desperately in need of a Savior.

If counting gifts is a new concept for you, you can read more about it here.  I took the challenge of counting gifts from writer, Ann Voskamp. I needed it at the time. Desperately. Life was insular, crazy, and exhausting. I needed motivation to see the honest, non-fabricated beauty of our home life. I needed eyes to see. Eyes to appreciate the little things, the big things, the joys.

For a while I started counting disasters because they seemed more plentiful, and I’m glad I did because now the list makes me laugh. But let’s be serious, the gifts weren’t just more plentiful, they were abundant.

I found them at every turn – in the sky or flora of a canyon run, in the undiluted sunshine from my child’s face, in the fluorescent bubbles of dish soap at the end of a hard day, in a backyard rodeo, and in the gentle moonlight of bedtime.

Gifts were everywhere. And as I counted, my core changed. Discontent faded, along with frustration and wanting, even longing. I felt happy with the present, the now, the state of things just as they were.

I looked about me and was overcome with the innocence, the wonder, the gorgeous chaos of five small children growing around me.

Would you believe I’ve been counting for almost three years? Our kids are older, taller, easier. And it breaks my heart a bit that we’ve moved out of that toddler stage.

But counting has seen me through some definite rough patches. And my journey of thanks? It has taught me this:

Gratitude is a way of living, a disposition. The more you do it, the more it becomes a part of you. It transforms how you see the world.

Gratitude is an antidote for almost every ailment. 

Counting stills time, immortalizes the gift. It freezes it on paper so you can revisit it, relive it, remember the divine goodness that constantly surrounds you.

As a catalog of recent events, I’ll share with you some of our latest gifts.

1005. yellow irises on isaac’s grave.

Memorial Day weekend was sweet, even tender this year. Spencer told us, “I’m going to give great-grandpa a hug. And I’m not going to stop hugging him until we leave.” Here he is, prostrate across Grandpa Reuben’s headstone. Doug’s grandfather emigrated from Norway and died when Doug’s father was a young boy. It was like Spencer was visiting an old friend.

111. resurrection of the stout family party, complete with sawdust dig and swing jump contest.

(pictured above: doug’s mother with her siblings and their spouses.)

 

The Stout Family party was a highlight of Doug’s childhood. Especially the swing jump contest. He’s been talking about bringing it back for years now.

So here he is, giving it his best go.

Uncle Dwight, long-time champion from back in the day, also jumped. Not many men in their late sixties can sport that kind of form.

The contest was big business. Check out the trophy they made back in the 70s and 80s. Every winner had their name engraved on it.

And, only fitting that it stay in the family, Dwight’s grandson took it home this year.

112. eliza’s exceptional piano teacher, miss betsy

Eliza has made such progress this year. Some weeks I thought I might put my head through the wall over the practice battle, but I hope eventually she appreciates the opportunity it was to learn an instrument.

113. four fuzzy baby owls, perched in janae’s tree

114. this limo ride and what it meant

None of us had been in a limousine before. It picked us up in the morning, took us to Doug’s work for a breakfast in honor of Doug’s promotion, then brought us home again.

Doug was mortified over the whole hooplah, but after hopelessly trying to persuade the office he wanted to just drive in, he relented and said yes. It was a hilarious memory we’ll never forget.

115. hydrangeas, ranunculus, and peonies – a gracious bouquet from doug’s firm

116. This girl, blowing out nine candles. Nine!

 

117. favorite peppermint roses coming into bloom

110. blowing dandelion birthday wishes with my boys