Joy Dare: November 30, 2021 - 3 GIFTS ASTONISHING

I had a small project I wanted to do for the volunteers on a team I lead. However, my time, creative skill, and resources didn't allow me to do this on my own. I tossed it out to my neighbors, just in case someone loved to be creative but needed a purpose. I was astonished to find a neighbor I did not know who offered to make the stockings I wanted. This was a huge gift to me, as support, and I hope it will be a nice gift to the team when they see their Christmas thank you gifts.

Astonishing is a word that seems to carry a lot of expectations. One thing I appreciate about it is that you almost always see people who have that astonishing level of surprise, throw their hands up over their mouth. They are in such a state of happy shock. I don't know if they're afraid words will fall from their mouth, or if they feel more secure hiding but it's a very common action. It makes me smile because you know it is a genuine reaction from them.

I have found the Joy Dare astonishing in the sense of how difficult it often is to find three things in one day to be grateful for around the key prompt. I am thankful for this challenge because I have learned about myself while doing it. I am learning to find the little things in life again that I can appreciate amidst the darker things. 

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Joy Dare: November 29, 2021 - 3 GIFTS RED

I have to go with the obvious here to start by simply expressing gratitude for the color red. I've gravitated towards that for most of my life. As a kid, I always had red tennies. The main color from high school was red. I had red roses at my wedding. I have a history of red coats, red hats, red boots, and even red blankets. 

My grandparents had an elegant red velvet settee with two matching chairs in their home since my childhood. I've always adored it and hoped it would be mine eventually. That time came in 2007. I now have this wonderful set in my home and it still brings me joy.

Several years ago my dad planted a large garden that included heirloom tomatoes. I had never had one before, but I now consider the red heirloom to be one of the items I'm most grateful for every summer. 

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Joy Dare: November 28, 2021 - 3 GIFTS IN COMMUNITY

I visited a small town a few years ago that I would describe as a community. It seems to be one of those places where people greet each other even if they don't know them. There was a sense of belonging, even though I wasn't a resident. This gave me something I want to consider when I choose my next home and I'm glad I could experience it.

I grew up attending community theater productions and I'm thankful for the memory of those. I went with my parents on those summer evenings to the outdoor amphitheater at our local community college. I remember Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, and my favorite was South Pacific. I know there were more, but those stand out.

I am quite thankful for a group of friends that form my community of people who will pray for me. It sometimes amazes me that I have this circle. The funny thing is that when I do turn to them with a request, I tend to only reach out to two or three of them. Next time it may be a different group or overlap just one. It's often random who I reach out to but it's nice to have a community I can count on.

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Joy Dare: November 27, 2021 - A GIFT HANDMADE, HELD, HAPPY

I have three crocheted afghans displayed on a bookshelf in my basement. All three were handmade by special family members: Aunt Grace, Grandma Anamary, and my mom. While Aunt Grace and Grandma have passed, I'm so thankful to have a small piece of their lives to enjoy.

I won't say a lot because this song is already a topic on a draft for a full blog post. But, this song has seen me through a lot over the years. I am grateful for the idea of being held. 

Listen Here: Just Be Held by Casting Crowns

Happy seems like it should be an easy one to write about. The problem is finding the "right" one to share. Fortunately, there are several happy gifts to choose from. I think that's actually the gift to be thankful for tonight. I do have several things in my life on any given day that I can be happy about and that in and of itself brings happiness.

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Joy Dare: November 26, 2021 - 3 GIFTS PREPARING

I have been preparing my home with the future anticipation of selling and leaving Portland. Part of that has included giving away or selling items that I would classify as "it's not worth the effort to pack up and haul if I move." This leaves me fewer objects to dust around for now and more enjoyment of what remains.

Today I started cleaning out my car and reorganizing the glove compartment, which is basically just an excess of napkins from the drive-thru lines during Covid. This is me preparing for the next road trip or short excursion. Super grateful to be prepping for that, whenever it may be.

I also began preparing the Christmas decorations for the non-contact office for the first responders in our community. It's so much fun to bring them a little cheer during a really tough season when they see so much of the dark side of the holidays.

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Joy Dare: November 25, 2021 - 3 GIFTS UGLY-BEAUTIFUL

Today was Thanksgiving. This is not one of my favorite days. I was dreading today more than usual when it dawned on me that it didn't need to be anything other than a Thursday. We had incredible weather for the Pacific Northwest so I took advantage of it. I didn't suspect it would give me my 3 gifts ugly-beautiful, but it sure did.

My car checks all the boxes for ugly. It's missing three of the four pieces of trim molding on the doors. It has several scratches scattered around all sides, including the biggest ones from someone who just hit me last week and added white paint transfer onto my blue. The ugliest part is the hood and front side of the roof. The clearcoat has all peeled away, much like a sunburn. It didn't simply peel off so you see the color. It came off in little round pieces so it looks like someone threw acid on it. I love my vehicle, but it is ugly.

However, after spending all of last week in the shop getting more oil leaks repaired, and some pretty significant pieces of the steering, ball joints, and other essential items working again...it is road-worthy and deemed safe! I love to drive, so this was a beautiful gift to me. I can now hit the road again. So I did.

I wanted to meander but wasn't sure where and I wanted to only be out for an hour or two. I hit the Columbia River Scenic Byway to test out the steering on those hairpin turns. Stopping at several waterfalls and walking a few short trails brought me to the second ugly-beautiful gift of the day. My pristine bright yellow running shoes that still look new four years later, have some ugly on them. Lots of mud and mashed leaves were clinging to the soles. When I took a closer look, I realized that the white foam on the sides is now gray. The bright yellow on the heels is covered and stained with browns and oranges. I'm not sure if they'll come clean. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I would normally have found this disheartening.

The beautiful part of the shoes is that until about a month ago, I wouldn't have been able to consider walking along those pathways. I have had chronic pain for 24 years. Recently, I have found some therapeutic work that is returning my life to me. I didn't expect to get out of my car once today, but I found myself eager to explore on foot. This healing and strengthening are so precious and beautiful to me. I'd given up hope of ever being able to do things like this again. But it looks like I'm going to need to buy some hiking boots!

The third part of today also qualifies as ugly-beautiful. I planned to listen to an audiobook for the short highway portion of the trip and then switch it up to Christmas music, or something else on my road trip list of music. But, I found myself captivated by the storytelling style of the person reading this book. I'm new to audiobooks as I usually drift off when someone is talking for that length of time. Or, at best, my mind wanders and I don't hear what was read. Today, the book was a non-fiction one that took me to the stage of ugly crying a few times. But, the beautiful part was that this meant my heart was being reached.

I am grateful for the courage to do something different for a holiday that doesn't include me. I'm thrilled to have found my three gifts in that drive, even if it turned out to be a little over three hours!

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Joy Dare: November 24, 2021 - 3 GIFTS HUMBLE

I had a phone call today from a very special lady. We used to attend church together but it's been more than a decade since that time. She is a woman who lives her life centered on God, always striving to honor Him. She is not perfect. She loves whole-heartedly. She serves her community with a joyful heart and always looks for ways to show God's love to others. I've always admired her grit and honesty. We've had a lot of conversations over the past two decades. We are friends because we are sisters in Christ. I can call her with anything, at any time of the day, even though I'm not likely to. We grab a coffee only once or twice a year but think of each other far more often. We aren't the kind of friends who will go watch a movie together. She is very busy and has a family to care for as well. When I get a call from her, I am humbled that she still makes time to reach out to check on me. She always closes with a prayer for me.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by humble leaders. This is one of the most important aspects of their leadership style. It is something I respect in others and can learn from when it is modeled. I am so lucky and grateful for those humble enough to serve and lead well. They have been few and far between, but I am grateful for their influence.

There have been times when I needed to be humbled. I'm grateful for those who cared enough to point out when I didn't get things right and needed some awareness and accountability. It was tough, but it was a growth opportunity, and I appreciate their willingness to lead me.

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Joy Dare: November 23, 2021 - 3 GIFTS ONLY IN CHRIST

ONLY in Christ? Well, I have friends in my life who are there ONLY because Christ is a part of our lives. Our paths wouldn't have crossed without Him.

Forgiveness. I have a clean slate with God ONLY because of Christ's willingness to suffer so I could stay pure in God's eyes.

My biggest cheerleader is Christ. He will stand up for me when I disappoint God and act unlovable. He is always there, on my side.

Joy Dare: November 22, 2021 - A GIFT GRATEFUL

I received a huge gift today that left me feeling more grateful than I've been in ages. Sure, I've been doing this Joy Dare for almost two months, and those have all been genuine moments of gratitude. Some are light, some hit a little deeper.

Today, though. Today was a day when the actions of two people overlapped and combined to form one amazing gift that left me overwhelmed and grateful. I'm not sure I can truly put it into words that are capable of expressing this. It is also one of my most deeply personal moments, making it more difficult to share. But, I do want to try to convey the general concept. 

I've been in a season when things seemed to be going well and life was finally aligning nicely. Then, the metaphoric freight train plowed into me a few days ago. Only, it was loaded with heavy cars filled with manure. Not only did they crash into me and derail me, they buried me in deep, smelly, dark, filth and left me for dead. Parts of me were hit so hard they are off in the distance and I'm not sure they'll ever be recovered. That might sound a little dramatic, but it's where my mind was at this morning.

Then I had someone speak kind words gently over me. I heard words of encouragement without judgment. Many of these words were spoken without knowing anything about what had transpired. Eventually I shared a small amount from a scarred, scared, but open heart. My story was greeted with affirmations and friendship with a side of accountability and truth spoken. Every word was spoken lovingly, even when they needed to be more direct. I was lifted up from the depths of my wallowing and dusted off before being pointed in the correct direction. We waited to see if I would take a step forward or collapse again.

Within minutes of this tearful conversation, I received a text message so out of the blue I could not have come up with this if I were writing a fictional story. The text came from someone I know and appreciate, and have some level of connection with. A super encouraging person, but no history of this kind of conversation. The text read, "You ever have God tell you to do something and you don't know why? Well, that just happened to me. God wants me to tell you that you are valuable and you are loved."

I firmly believe both of these people are gifts from God, placed into my life for a purpose. Today, I am more convinced than ever that this timing was orchestrated by God in a desperate attempt to convince me I have value. Well, I'm not sure God is ever desperate. But I do think He is persistent and determined.

I spent the day in awe of this. It changed my direction. I am grateful for today.

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Joy Dare: November 21, 2021 - 3 GIFTS FAMILY

My church family gave me two beautiful gifts today. One was a sermon that showed me a different perspective about God. I won't elaborate because it was too personal. But, it was a beautiful moment. 

The second one came from a friend who prayed with me and spoke the most inspiring words over me. She has a gift of knowing just what to say, even when she doesn't know the details of my life at that moment. This church family has come to mean so much to me and I'm grateful to have them.

My third gift of family I'm grateful for goes back more than 25 years. My aunt hosted backyard parties for any holiday she could find as an excuse to gather the family. I grew up eating BBQ burgers, the best potato salad, baked beans, and all the usual potluck side dishes and desserts. We always had volleyball set up, which was my favorite sport to play. There was laughter and love, and sometimes some family drama as there were several siblings on that side of the family. It seems that is a normal thing. I was an only child, what did I know? I love those memories of family gatherings.

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Joy Dare: November 20, 2021 - 3 GIFTS OF TRADITIONS

I tend to think of traditions as they apply to the holidays. Most of my traditions have died of neglect. But, in looking for ways to be grateful, I can say I'm happy for the ones I had growing up that formed who I am. They make for some great memories. Who knows? They might even reemerge someday and become traditions again.

Sorry folks...I'm not coming up with a proper response tonight. I know there are many beyond holidays, but I'm not finding them in my own thoughts.

Please share some of the traditions that bring you joy. I'd really love to hear from you!

Joy Dare: November 19, 2021 - 3 GIFTS AUTUMN

I think autumn is a gift in itself. It's been my long-time favorite season. When I was young, it meant the new school year. I loved school through 8th grade so this was a highlight for me. It meant new school supplies, new teachers, and new books.

I have become a fan of football so autumn also brings kick-off time! Go Hawks! Confession: as much as I love football, I've only watched two games this year.

It is the season when we usher in the gas fireplace and cozy blankets while we put the portable fans away. This makes me happy!

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Joy Dare: November 18, 2021 - A GIFT MADE, SHARED, PASSED ON

I feel like I'm running on a repeat cycle. Either I don't have a lot of variety in my life, or these few things mean so much that they keep resurfacing. In light of that, I'm going to make this a broad-stroke response instead.
 

With the holidays looming in the near future, my mind turns to actual Christmas gifts with these words. I think many of the best gifts you can give, or receive, are indeed made by the giver, a shared experience, or something special you pass on to someone else. We live in a time when most people have what they need and most wants are even fulfilled. I believe it's the personal touch that makes it special. Yes, sometimes those are purchased items and that's cool because the heart is connected to the recipient. But...nothing says "you matter" like the title of this.

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Joy Dare: November 17, 2021 - 3 GIFTS OF LAUGHTER

Laughter is always a gift. I'm not much of a kid person, but the laughter of small children or infants is priceless. I think it is physically impossible not to laugh with them. It is one of my favorite sounds.

I grew up watching the Charlie Brown television specials. One of my annual highlights is the Thanksgiving one, so it's just around the corner. My favorite scene is when Snoopy is setting up the chairs around the ping pong table and gets into a fight with the chaise lounge. Now, I've always loved Snoopy but we don't often hear his voice. In this one, we do. It cracks me up every single time and I just howl with laughter - even when I'm sitting alone watching it. Ooh...I can hardly wait!!

Side-splitting, tears-streaming, can't breathe laughter is my favorite kind. It's been years since I've done this, but I remember it well and I can hardly wait to do it again. It seems this is best enjoyed with friends.

Joy Dare: November 16, 2021 - 3 GIFTS HARD EUCHARISTEO

I can't believe we're here on this topic again. I guess Ann knows we need to find joy in the hard stuff.

One of the hardest things I've done in life was to watch my grandfather take his last breath. I was 23 when he died from pancreatic cancer. It was horrible to watch him leave us slowly. I don't even have to close my eyes to picture the room, or where I was sitting as I watched his chest stop rising. My dad called his time of death. This was hard. Somehow, I can appreciate that I was there and shared such a significant moment with Grandpa.

We first had this gratitude prompt on October 10th - feel free to go back and read that post. Here we are a month later and I'd say the marriage one is still on my list. There may be less gratitude involved today but I'm looking for the courage to be thankful there is a marriage to work on. I have several friends who became widows far earlier than average.

I have a friend who has had a hard year. We haven't connected a lot recently but I was privileged to spend several hours with her today. While it's her hard eucharisteo we talked through, I'm grateful to be part of her life and to support and encourage her through those times.

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Joy Dare: November 15, 2021 - 3 GIFTS GOLDEN

I'd have to say I'm thankful for the price of gold. I've had some increased expenses this year and I've been able to sell my jewelry to help cover costs. Glad I'm not buying the "golden" stuff right now, but it sure helps when you need to sell!

A new addiction of mine is the gold kiwi. Don't tell Costco, but I'll pay whatever price they put on that package of sweet deliciousness. My apologies to the green kiwi...I haven't had one since discovering the golden ones several years ago. Sorry, not sorry. Trust me - try them!

I'm thankful for a season in my life when it feels like things are golden. I realize life is full of ups and downs, and even though there's some tough stuff each week, I feel like it's pretty golden right now.

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Joy Dare: November 14, 2021 - 3 GIFTS SILENT

I have begun spending a minimum of 10 minutes a day in silence. Most days nothing happens except I find myself relaxed and feeling peaceful. Other days bring thoughts of clarity, or the ability to recall words of wisdom I've heard before and stored away. But to give myself permission to do nothing for 10 minutes, and to be comfortable with silence has become one of my favorite gifts to myself. It's probably one of the best things I've done for me, that ripples out to those around because I feel more rooted. Sometimes. Sometimes I just count the minutes in my head.

The neighborhood I live in is fairly active. It's not noisy by any means, but there's a steady stream of people that walk or drive by. You can hear the noise of the busy street one block away, and often you can hear the freeway roar. Every once in a while, it is silent. Completely silent. Those are the moments when I realize it is noisier than I would have described it. Those are the little gifts to savor before the buzz of activity resumes.

Not my dog, but I love this photo.
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

I find myself deeply grateful for the countless times my dog is silent, and not barking at anything. Mostly, I appreciate this during the overnight hours. He is always on high alert so silence means nothing sinister is happening nearby.

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Joy Dare: November 13, 2021 - 3 GIFTS BEHIND A DOOR

I remember when people would stop by my home unannounced. It was always a delight to see who was behind the door when I opened it. Yes, of course I checked to be sure it was safe! Those were simpler times when I think people connected more. I'm so happy I have those memories and wish it was still something people did.

When I think about something being behind a door, I'm taken back to childhood again and the show Let's Make a Deal. There were prizes behind curtains or doors. Somehow, this gratitude prompt takes me to being thankful that we have so many choices in life. Most of us have a choice of chicken, beef, or pork for dinner. We have a choice of watching Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. We can choose which book to read or who to vote for. It's such a privilege to be able to choose.

I don't vacation often, but one thing that brings on an eager anticipation is the first turn of the doorknob as I enter a hotel room. I don't stay at the fancy places, but it's still going to be something different, and probably nicer than what I have at home. I wonder, what will be behind the door. Will there be windows overlooking the city? Will there be a towel animal on the bed? Will it be cold or warm? The waiting will be over soon, but until that door is thrown open, it's an element of surprise waiting for me.

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Joy Dare: November 12, 2021 - 3 GIFTS AT NOON

A hot day during the school year meant we got out of school at noon. That was one heck of a gift to a high school student. Yes, it meant it was going to be over 100 degrees that day, but we were happy to trade the extreme temperature for early dismissal at noon.

The last place I worked, I had the good fortune to work with several friends. Some of the places we would go to for lunch had small parking lots so we developed the habit of going to lunch early, at about 11:30. This meant that noon several times a week meant I was with friends, sharing our lives, and usually laughing really loud and hard. Those are precious gifts I miss.

When I was little, one of the sweetest women I've ever known, Maxine, would watch me while my parents were at work. Every single day at noon, we'd watch Days of Our Lives together while we ate sandwiches. Well, she watched. I probably just ate lunch and then colored. One of the most precious gifts ever. I still watch from time to time, just because it was something we did together.

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Joy Dare: November 11, 2021 - 3 GIFTS OF REMEMBRANCE

There is a day set aside to remember fallen officers. In 2013, I attended my first Police Memorial Day ceremony. It had such a profound impact, I wrote about it later. There are some exquisite acts of remembrance that form the ceremonies. The rider-less horse is the one that touched me the most. To watch the horse cross over the hill and disappear without his rider...wow. Every time I am able to attend, these acts of remembrance keep me grateful.

There are a handful of days each year where I celebrate the memories of someone near and dear to me, that has passed. June, July, and August each have one. It's a nice pause to remember their lives and I'm appreciative that I can still recall the way their lives touched mine.

The church I grew up in, had the words "Do this in remembrance of Me" embossed across the communion table. I saw it every week. I heard the words in the description every week. My church shares communion every week. It is easy for it to become stale and meaningless in your darkest times. But, for the times when my heart is truly open and thinking about this ultimate sacrifice, I am humbled to accept the gift of remembrance of Jesus' death for me.

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Joy Dare: November 10, 2021 - 3 GIFTS FOUND IN BIBLE READING

Bible reading. I feel like I should have a lot of things to say on this day, but I'm going to have to let you down a bit here.

There's not really a way to write about this one without sharing that I'm not naturally drawn to reading my Bible. In fact, the book I'm writing has a couple of chapters devoted to this topic.

I do know there is a gift of relationship with God to be found in Bible reading. I haven't quite found it myself, but I can appreciate the value.

I also know there are some pretty powerful Bible verses that provide encouragement to me when I am most in need of it. I have read many of them enough to be able to recall them when I need them, even if I can't quite quote the words.

If I look at Bible reading when it is done with others, I know the wonderful feeling of being in a shared experience, learning about God together.

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Joy Dare: November 9, 2021 - 3 GIFTS HARVEST

I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California. This area yields a treasure trove of amazing produce. I've been craving some of the foods from back home, so I think I recently mentioned some of this. But, today I am thinking specifically of the white rose potatoes that were harvested in Delano. The packers knew a friend of ours, so we were granted early access to the first harvest. It was an exciting day at our house when Dad would bring home that huge 50# box of them. These are not like any you've seen in stores. These were each larger than the largest russet potato you've ever seen. They were creamy and smooth, with no starchy fibers. Truly one of the best harvest gifts ever known!

Harvest was always happening around us. The crop is the only thing that changed. There is a certain fragrance in the air during harvest time. The sprinklers whoosh back and forth leaving a sweet smell behind when the water drops mingle with the dirt. Driving those dirt roads in summers is something my soul still craves. So I guess I could say the entire harvest concept is a gift to me.

While I don't know anybody that has personally been through this, I know the act of harvesting an organ from a donor is an amazing gift. Not only are lives saved, but those lives go on to have an impact that would have been lost. This is a remarkable gift. I hope more people choose to become organ donors.

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Joy Dare: November 8, 2021 - A GIFT SWEET, SALTY, SIPPED

I love words and try to hang onto the special ones I hear. I'm not all that successful, but for a while, I will keep those precious one-liners as encouragement, motivation, or the gifts they can be. Some of my favorites can only be described as sweet and kind. I have a difficult time receiving them but I know they were given by a warm and genuine person. Those sweet words spoken about me, to me, are precious.

Salty air is one of God's gifts I enjoy the most. You're probably going to read about the ocean repeatedly in this year of the Joy Dare. The smell of the salty ocean instantly renews me. My mind is cleared of the weights of life and I feel lighter. I think more clearly and breathe a little deeper in the salty air. I can lose track of time as I wander with my thoughts and discover a world of possibilities as I daydream. I am at my most creative and open-minded when there.

I'm not a coffee drinker. I'm not a hot tea drinker. Nope, not even much of a fan of hot cider or hot chocolate either. But...when I do, I love Mexican hot cocoa. The very best sipped delight I ever experienced was on a trip with friends to Mazatlan, where I savored every drop of a Mexican hot chocolate from a neighborhood coffee house. We finished them while riding the big, loud, dark green, bus surrounded by locals and the diesel smell from the bus in front of us. It made the experience unforgettable.

Joy Dare: November 7, 2021 - 3 GIFTS FROM YOUR WINDOW

One of my favorite gifts from my window can be enjoyed during the warmer months as the sounds of my neighbor and his toddler twins can be heard through the open window. They squeal, they laugh, they sing, they splash in the water, they watch movies outside, and sometimes they scream. Well, mostly it's the little girl. These sounds all reflect love. They ride on Dad's bike and wave at their uncle who lives across the street. Sometimes he squirts the hose toward them and they laugh. It has been so much fun to glance out my window and watch this family create memories.

Rain will always be one of the best gifts from my window. I grew up in a region without much rain before moving to the Pacific Northwest. I have yet to tire of watching the drops come down and wash the panes of glass or stick to the screens. I enjoy it whether it cascades down with force or each raindrop trickles its own path. Raindrops viewed from inside make me smile. I'm grateful I haven't lost that appreciation.

One time I was able to stay at the beach for a few days in a hotel with an ocean view. I seldom get to do that, yet it is a lifelong dream of mine to do it more. This particular visit was unique because I was there for several days, with my new puppy, and our oceanview room had windows that opened. It is one of my favorite memories of windows as I spent a great deal of time staring at the surf just below those open windows, listening as the waves crashed to shore.

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Joy Dare: November 6, 2021 - 3 GIFTS GOVERNMENT

This one's going to be a quick read, but I can find thankfulness in government. I know I can do this. Can you?

Well...the government is involved in maintaining state and federal parks. They also have some beautiful scenic byways like the Newton B. Drury Parkway in northern California that immerses you in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. So, for that gift, I am thankful for the government. If you haven't driven this, it's one of the most peaceful and beautiful drives.

A second appreciation for government is for our United States government as a whole. No, I'm not thankful for all of it, nor do I agree with everybody. That's impossible, no matter what your personal beliefs and preferences are. But, when I see the status of some of the other countries out there, and the violence, I am grateful we have some form of government doing what it can here.

The third government gift I'm grateful for is a story I heard recently about a friend who ran for student body president...and won. It was a heartwarming story and this person made a difference in their school. It was a story that shared a time from earlier in life so it brought a moment of connection and a couple of laughs. It may seem small, but in times like this, any story with a positive moment, or two, is worth its weight in gold.

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Joy Dare: November 5, 2021 - 3 GIFTS ACORN-SMALL

I recently watched Jon Acuff share a story about acorns. He was showing us a bowl of acorns he had gathered from bur oak trees. Inside each one was the potential to become an 80-foot, 100,000-pound tree. That's eight stories tall! That story was a gift to remind us of our own potential. This was a great illustration to visualize what each one of us might have inside. I now have two acorns sitting on my desk to remind me my potential is still there.

Acorn-small, but powerful. Three years ago, our little dog was very sick. It took several months and a misdiagnosis before we finally discovered he has atypical Addison's disease. During this time, we thought we were going to lose him. Smaller than an acorn, weighing less than a raisin, he now has an inexpensive, daily pill that keeps all symptoms at bay. The depth of gratitude on this one is immeasurable.

I love oak trees but live in a part of the country where I am mostly surrounded by pines. We have an outdoor shopping center nearby with lots of trees that turn into a colorful frenzy in the fall. What I didn't realize, until I went for a long walk under their colorful canopy, is that most of them were oaks. The crunching of acorns below my feet reminded me of home, where the oak trees are more common.

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Joy Dare: November 4, 2021 - A GIFT GATHERED, GIVEN, GOOD

Several of my most precious memories have been when friends and family are gathered together at a memorial service. That may sound odd to you, but let me explain my extended family. They laugh big. They love big. I adore them all. While they are difficult events because I've lost someone I cared about, they are always a beautiful reunion of people who love each other deeply. I know the people I've lost would have wanted us to laugh so hard people snorted. They would love seeing all the hugs you don't want to let go of. The sadness came only when it was time to say goodbye again, until the next time.

Good advice, given freely, from people I trust is priceless. I appreciate this more than I let most people know. So, if you're reading this and you're one of the wise people who have given me great words to ponder...thank you. I appreciate you, and I appreciate the words.

"Good grief!" is a phrase from my childhood that still makes me smile. Poor Charlie Brown often felt the world wasn't going the way he wanted it to. At one point, I had all of the Peanuts books. This was long before there was the option to buy the television specials on VHS or DVD. I am thankful that I can quote several lines from these classics and I think it's fun that this was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the writing prompt was for "good" today.

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Joy Dare: November 3, 2021 - 3 GIFTS THAT START WITH "N"

I have to laugh at today's prompt. Today was the semi-annual dental cleaning visit. Like many people, I once had skipped out on dental visits due to lack of insurance, followed by pure fear at what could be wrong after all those years of neglect. I finally found a dentist to try, based on a friend's referral. The best part was that he used nitrous. I found myself almost looking forward to the visits just to check out of the real world for an hour. I am overwhelmingly thankful nitrous was available to help me get through those early visits. Now, I have an even more amazing dentist and no nitrous is required.

Nature! Yippee for nature. My soul gets filled up when I get to hang out in nature for a bit. I love the quiet you find there, the fresh air, the scent of the trees, or the salty air of the ocean. Now, while I enjoy being surrounded by nature, I don't like getting it on me. Melman the giraffe, in Madagascar, has it right when he shouts, "Ahhhhh! Nature! It's all over me! Get it off! I can't see!" I still crack up at this video.

I appreciate new beginnings. Some people celebrate this every January 1st. New beginnings can come on the first day of any month, or the beginning of a new quarter. It's not uncommon to use your birthday as a new beginning to reset your year. But today, I feel so lucky that every single day is a new day, a new beginning. I have 365 chances to make it a better day.

Did anybody else immediately think about Sesame Street's "this day brought to you by the letter N" or was it just me?

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