"a" is for

is for all kinds of things! This morning I start my journey of alphabetic gratitude. Each letter could be its own chapter (hmm, there's an idea), but I will endeavor to keep my reflection focused. The list will flow in no particular order. Today I am grateful for:

Apple
A natural starting place! Delicious, satisfying, healthy... especially with peanut butter spread on a crisp, cool slice. Apples also evoke thoughts and memories of fall in New England, and of young and energetic days climbing in the tree in our back yard.

Angels

Abundance
So much gets taken for granted: shelter, good weather, a shelf of books, pictures of loved ones, socks to keep my feet warm, gentle breezes, the Internet, the ability to read, basil, health, dogs that lick my face...

Affection

Authenticity
"What you see is what you get" is something I value highly, even if I don't like what I see. I have a low tolerance for falseness and deception.

Acceptance

Altars

Some of us have altars in our hearts, others in gardens, hiking trails, kitchen cutting boards... Others of us still revere altars consecrated by worshipping communities. Altars acknowledge significant moments in our lives that change who we are, how we look at the world and at ourselves. Whether or not one believes in a higher power, it is my contention that these are holy encounters, and that sacred infusion has everything to do with our transformation.

Afghans
My Dad had a patient that knitted afghans and several of them kept us warm as children, and later as adults. She has no idea the gift she gave us. She was just saying "thank you."

Anamnesis
Eucharistically speaking, recalling the last supper and its significance.
Philosophically speaking, well, I'll direct you to Plato.

See you tomorrow.