Sunday, I picked up a brochure titled, 100 Outdoor Adventures in Alabama and selected an adventure.  I ended up taking a hike along the Lost Falls Trail in DeSoto State Park near Fort Payne, Alabama.  It was such a wonderful day; first I had a picnic with my daughters in a park, then we spent about 3 hours soaking up all we could of this beautiful trail.  The temperature was about 75degrees (January 14) and it was my last day to spend with my oldest dauther Hannah for a while (She went back to school in New York today) which added to the specialness of this day.

                 I remember about half way along the trail pausing below this waterfall and saying to myself how fortunate I am to have such a gorgeous day in which to spend with people I love.  I took a moment to appreciate and be thankful for all the many blessings that were mine on this day.  I have health enough to walk into these woods, I have eyesight enough to see the mist rising from this waterfall, I have hearing enough to listen to the sounds of this mountain stream, I enjoyed the aroma of the forest and the way the breeze felt on my face.   

  
                I shut my eyes and took a moment to remember my grandmother as I tried to list all the things I could sense about this place without my eyesight.  I could hear the sounds of the wind blowing in the treetops above my head; I heard the haunting call of a woodpecker, the sounds of laughter coming from somewhere else deeper into the forest.  And just then coming from somewhere long ago in my past I could hear the voice of my mother talking to me as small child saying, Now, what are you suppose to say?  What do you say when someone gives you something?  And in my mind I could hear myself say, Thank You.

                How long has it been since you have said those two little words?  How long has it been since you took an inventory of all the many wonderful things that surround you?  Pause for a moment, can hear the voice of your mother teaching you as a child about the importance of gratitude; what did she tell you?    Remember, our happiness depends upon the depth of our gratitude.  It is only with gratitude that we learn to appreciate and enjoy life; our gratitude makes life rich.  Gratitude makes even a small blessing a taste of heaven.

Something to think about:

• Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.

• So much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied.

• When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.

• At any moment in life we have the option to choose an attitude of gratitude, a posture of grace, a commitment to joy.

• I fear that what will surprise us most, when we meet our Master, will be the extent of our own ingratitude.

• Be grateful for the doors of opportunity—and for friends who oil the hinges.

• Gratitude shouldn’t be an occasional incident but a continuous attitude.

• A thankful heart enjoys blessings twice—when they’re received and when they’re remembered.

Be thankful that you have Someone to thank.
Rickey Moore