Simple things make me smile.

Like yesterday when the children came down front for the children's sermon at church and my two grandchildren, ages 5 & 7, saw me standing in the pulpit. Both grinned, waved and mouthed, "Hi, MawMaw." Naturally, I grinned and waved back.

I smiled inwardly and outwardly as I led worship and preached for the first time in over a year.

Watching Tom clean his plate when it's full of fresh summer vegetables makes me smile. I'll smile even more when the scale indicates weight gain instead of loss.

Just being with Tom makes me happier than I can ever say. Our life at this stage is certainly not the way we imagined it would be, but we are together and that's what matters to us. We celebrate the good moments, share memories, talk about the realities of his decline and I try to explain business matters that arise. That, in itself, makes me smile. It's such role reversal. We adjust a little more each day to the way things have to be. I smile because I'm here and well and can take care of him.

Though I still have a boot on my broken ankle--which is healing nicely--and until a few days ago had a tacky, uncomfortable sandal on my broken foot, I was told I could get in the shower if I was very careful. So I did it. I stood in the shower and it was wonderful. If I had drowned it would have been because I was smiling and swallowing water. Getting to sleep with both feet free--wiggling my toes--being able to turn over without fear of crushing Tom with my boot are such simple things, but they make me smile.

Life, family, friends make me smile--not that fake "say cheese" smile put on for the photographer, but a smile that comes from way down deep inside me. Life is good. Our family is growing, especially the expectant moms and friends keep in touch.

I have lots to keep me smiling.

Blessings,
Pastor Margaret