Hey, Did You See What Just Happened?

GRATEFUL GIRL'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
​Some days, you just have to say thank you. Well, actually, that's true of every day we awake here on this big round ball, no? #lifeisagift  But there are so many moments in life we take for granted,  such as...

-Hearing my son play music by ear on our old and woefully out-of-tune piano in the front living room.
-Sitting beside my beautiful Mom at Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
-Getting a text from my niece/goddaughter Kelly checking on my kidney stone situation.
-Enjoying a late night chat with my nephew Scott about college.
-Zipping down the road from my office at lunchtime to get a refill on my garlic supply --and a few words of wisdom-- from my Pop.
-Smiling at my husband through a snowy car window as he dusts over my beloved little Buick Encore.
-Having my big brother ask if he needs to strong arm the mystery sender of my recent gifts 'o crap. LOL.
-Receiving a call from my niece Allie to catch me up on her adorable children...and one super awesome sign to her from my late mother-in-law. #ibelieveal
-Ringing the Salvation Army bell for the Red Kettle campaign with my sweet little colleague, Alexa.
-Finding one of my favorite photos from when Kyle was still little enough to want to hold my hand.

I know it's a wonderfully crazy time right now. I know you're busier than at most times of the year decking halls, making thousands of clothespin cookies, addressing envelopes and what not. But do me and yourself a little favor:

Stop. Look at the lights...and the snowflakes...and your kid tearing open the last present. Because those moments in time are pretty awesome...and they are not coming back again, capsice?

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; From you rose the sun of justice, Christ our Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end." ... And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

---