My husband just left to head back to his RV home in Reno, NV. We are big fans of Survivor, so we are now affectionately calling his other home—RENO ISLAND (like Redemption Island). We figure the two are similar–a place where he finds his own food, works to help us survive and is away from everything he loves and appreciates. He is on his own.

I have to constantly say to myself that there is a point to our separation—A JOB=MONEY=SURIVAL! So, I am beginning to think it does have something to do with ‘the root of all evil!’ haha. Smile.

I woke up this morning thinking–Why coudn’t everyone just live in a tropical paradise, live off the land, have no money worries… & I was quickly brought back to reality…probably because most of us have seen Survivor & know you just get eaten alive in one way or another!! haha. bugs…people…weather…

So, as my sweet husband drove away yesterday & the tears rolled down my face & my daughters, I have to remember to have a grateful heart. Gratitude is everything in any situation. You can either decide to be consumed by frustration and anger, or find a place within your heart to be grateful.

So, this morning I am adding some quotes to help me feel more gratitude & to focus on the gift of it in all we do.

I am banking on the above quote—We will NOT be the same people after two months. I do not believe we are the same people after two weeks of being apart. My gratitude for my husband made me appreciate a deeper level of appreciation for him, this sacrifice, his everything. I appreciated hearing his whistle even more. I hugged him even tighter. I cried even harder this second time he left. I believe through the struggle we become stronger in some way.

I have always loved this quote because it is so true. I am still waiting for the feeling of confusion to turn to clarity, but every experience is what you turn it into. I pray we can turn this into an even better vision for tomorrow.

You can always find so many things you are grateful for right now!! Since my husband has been gone he has mentioned a few of the ‘comforts of home’ he misses. It may sound funny, but he missed the cheese & bread we usually buy. He misses going to our local gas station & buying his favorite soda. He misses our shower, because now he showers in either a KOA shower (used by numerous people) or his tiny RV stall (which is 3 x 3). I am not complaining. We are extremely grateful for the RV. We are by no means destitute or living on the street, but I know this experience will help us learn a few things about ourselves, our relationship and all that we take for granted. Think of some things you take for granted & are grateful for. LIST THEM.

I am grateful to have my little family, even though we are apart. Separation truly does make the heart grow fonder. (I have learned that!). I am grateful to breathe, to smile, to walk, to smell fresh air, to take warm showers, to see the beautiful, blue sky, to hug my daughter, to talk on a phone, to have my parents still close, to have a home, to have a job, to have clean water, to live in freedom, to have a healthy body that can move, to walk through forests, to feel the sunlight upon my face, to play with my dog, to dream, to create, to write, to have an abundance of food, to hear my dog bark (haha–he is crazy), to see butterflies, to see the change in light outside, to…there are so many things if we take a moment to notice. What are you grateful for? Think about it.

THANK YOU. I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOU! Have a BEAUTIFUL DAY! Make it AMAZING. It is what you make it!  -H