Grateful

Tonight I did the dishes. 

It only took about 25 minutes. 

Okay, typing that out, I see that it's long.

And it felt long.

But my point, and I do have one,

is that I did the dishes tonight, and at the end, I wasn't only grateful they were done.

I was also grateful that that rack of dishes meant I had a refrigerator and a pantry full of food to feed my three growing sons today.

I was grateful that those silly straws made afternoon snack an event to behold, boys sipping hot cocoa through red and purple loops while telling stories about who had the best crash on their sled in the snow moments before.

I was grateful for the quiet moments this morning that I had with my coffee cup while the boys watch cartoons and I geared up for a busy morning homeschooling.

I was grateful for their water bottles, and how much they love water.

I was grateful for the cereal bowls and all the cereal we got recently from our Walmart bush order.  It makes morning meals so delightful when the boys are excited to eat what we have.

I was grateful for tupperware and the leftovers it contains, that my family willingly eats because we know nothing should go to waste.

I was grateful for the warm water that came directly out of my faucet to allow me to wash those dishes without having to heat the water on the stove top first. 

I was grateful for the stack of sponges & supply of dish soap I have stocked in the laundry room, ready for when I need them.

I was grateful for my able body.  My legs that allow me to stand long enough to do the sink full of dishes and my hands that are capable of movement and scrubbing.

I am grateful for those plates, spoons & cups that represent a day well lived.  

There was some hard work today,

but there were also some sweet moments.

And I'm grateful.