Choosing Gratitude

Today I am (trying to be) grateful

that I decided not to drive Andrew and friends to a distant temple last week,

that we forgot to fill up with gas ($50) when we intended to,

that Elena & Lily fell asleep as soon as we left Liberty Park with them,

that my kids were also headed toward Utah County from Salt Lake Saturday afternoon,

that we all have cell phones so we could call them,

that Eric was driving his truck (with a tow rope) to haul stuff for the CureSearch walk,

that it was a sunny day for an impromptu picnic on the grass outside of Wendy's,

that Rob & Julie finished lunch with the Lee's just in time to lend us their back seat,

that Amy offered to drop everyone off and come back and get us,

that a stranger stopped to help & gave Eric $100 when he saw our Team Elena shirts,

that a police officer directed traffic around us,

that hubby's bonus--which will arrive Friday--was anticipated, but not quite spoken for,

that I wasn't driving,

that hubby doesn't panic under pressure like I would,

and can navigate across three lanes of traffic going sixty-five miles an hour

without power steering

when the engine stalls without warning and smoke pours out of the back of the car.

(The verdict involves a head gasket replacement and over $1800. We're considering our options.)