Today is the day.....

Today is the day that the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it!

A good "mantra" for any day, but for today, especially appropriate. My elder son was here for dinner last night, slept on my couch, and started coffee this morning. Ahh, the fragrance of good coffee! He took off for a 5-mile walk -- way past my current ablitites! -- and invited me and Miss Dog to meet him at about mile #4 so we could walk the rest of the way together. Miss Dog -- who normally is the last out of bed -- adores him, trotted happily by his side -- readiliy responding to his touch commands! She's quite beautiful and he ain't too shabby either -- they made a lovely pair.

Back home -- with cramps, should have warmed up first! -- I had more coffee while esteemed older son connected with his FaceBook "harem" and then we shared a lovely phone visit with esteemed younger son, currently living in Norway. I thank God for both these wonderful young men, and their sister -- my first born, my only daughter -- as well.

Growing up was hard on all of us, me being newly divorced and all, and there were times I despaired of ever having a "real family" again. Time taught me that "real" is not defined by an ever-changing cultural "norm" but by love, respect, and experience. Measuring by this yardstick, it's more true than ever that "friends are family that you choose." And the inverse is true as well: you can choose to be friends with your family!

So today, I'm thankful for the day itself, for the love of family and friends, for sunshine, for hot fragrant coffee, for Miss Dog's devotion, and for the astonishing priviledge of being alive!