You'll Never Guess What I Got at Wal-Mart Yesterday?

GRATEFUL GIRL'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I really hate Wal-Mart. Actually, that's not true at all. I LOVE Wal-Mart. But I hate going to Wal-Mart. 

Mostly because it's always a longer, more involved venture than intended, ya know? Translation: I make a "quick run" for some sandwich rolls and a half-gallon of milk and come out (an hour and a half later, mind you) with a $150+ bill and everything from bandages to bananas to bike socks in my over-filled cart.

Half hmpf, half sigh.

So, yesterday, as I finally made my way out into the quickly-filling parking lot (have you ever noticed that Wal-Mart is ALWAYS busy?) I was a little on the grumpy side -- rather irked at myself for falling into the impulse-buying trap Wal-Mart so carefully and cleverly sets for suckers like me. They get me every time.

And just when I was about to circle my cart of shame up to the back of my car, I noticed this guy walking in who looked amazingly familiar to me. "Boy that dude looks just like my cousin Dean," I remember thinking and almost immediately dismissing the notion since he lives in Georgia.

"Patty?" he smiled. "It IS you!" I said, flinging my arms around him to give him a great big squeeze.

And, as we caught up for a spell right there in the parking lot, I learned that he and his wife Denise were only in town for a few days. Just a quick jaunt north for a weekend visit to see my aunt, cousins and Denise's siblings.

So, how stinking lucky am I that I ran to Wal-Mart at the exact moment I needed to in order to catch a glimpse of my very wonderful, huggable and deeply-loved big cous -- whom I typically only see every few years or so?

Major, major smile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Just remember: you can either trudge through life with your head down, focusing on the negative -- or you can look up and see the blessings all around you. Heck, ever now and again you just might even catch sight of something or someone that makes your day, your week or your whole month.

Happiness is everywhere --- all you need to do is open your eyes and look for it. Boy, I sure did get a great deal at Wal-Mart on this trip.

Love ya, Dean!!!   #everydayisagift  

Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 R. (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.  The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid? One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple. I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage;  be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. Alleluia Lk 7:16 A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people. 

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