Thursday, April 30, 2009

Pandemic

/panˈdem ik/ –adjective

1. (of a disease) prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world; epidemic over a large area.

2. general; universal: pandemic fear of atomic war. –noun


A pandemic is not usually thought of as a happy word but since this is MY blog, I am going to happify it.

If I want to.

And I do.


This morning a Facebook friend of mine wrote that she was going to start a pandemic of good news which sounds a lot better to me than a pandemic of swine flu or a pandemic of housing foreclosures.


She went on to write about a few things she was thankful for and by doing so, she got the pandemic going. In fact, it got going so strongly that it spread all the way over here. What? Did she sneeze sunshine, or somethin'? It's now taken over this blog for the day!


Usually the temptation is to run the other direction in the face of a pandemic but with this one, I'd like instead for you to gather 'round and think of happy things; things you're thankful for.

When you're done thinking, list a few of them in the guest book. And if you need to be reminded of other things to be happy about, read through what everyone else has listed and then see if you don't leave here feeling all pandemic-y.

In a GOOD way, of course.

I'm going to start with a few of my own "happy thoughts" and then I'm going to add a few miscellaneous happy family pictures too, just to ensure that the pandemic gets off to a strong start.


1. I'm thankful that I can go to a grocery store that doesn't feature live chickens. I've known enough missionary wives over the years who have shopped in open air markets and cooked dinner without electricity. I'm thankful for neatly wrapped poultry and a working stove.


2. Nathan is home from college for a while. That makes me very, very happy.


3. I'm extra, super, incredibly thankful for books. And knowing how to read.



And I'm thankful for happy family pictures. . .























I can't wait to read what YOU'RE going to write! And please don't feel any pressure to make your entries extremely high minded, or extra impressive or even fabulous. Small blessings are good to notice, too.

Your turn!


28 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for...

-the sunshine, which has made it bright and warm after months of cold darkness.

-the people in my office who know how to water plants, and spare me from killing them.

-unexpected visits from friends.

Shannon said...

I am thankful for...

My health and the over all general health of my family and friends.

We are fortunate enough to not have to worry about food, shelter and transportation.

A fun one...fresh strawberries this time of year, yummy!!

Sharon said...

I am thankful for so many things one of which is that my son and family moved me into my new apartment on Sat while I was gone to a school alumni day. also that I could go to the alumni day and see so many old friends I have been out of school for 51 years. I am also thankful for the internet where I have met so many wonderful new friends.

Jenn said...

I am thankful for my family,
I am thankful that I have a house,
I am thankful that my son hit a grand slam at his last baseball game,
I am thankful for my job, I am thankful that my husband is working, I am thankful for my friends.
Life is good. Thank you for allowing me to remind myself of this when things seem like they are not going so good, but there is really so much to be thankful for!!!

Vicky Elder said...

I am thankful for:

A loving God.

My family.

A good job and my husband's good job.

Friend's blogs - when things are crazy, I can step into someone else's life for a brief few minutes.

The flowering crab apple tree right outside my office window - God's beautiful creation.

Anonymous said...

I'm thank for my relationship with God.
I'm thankful for my family.
I'm thankful for my Health.
I'm thankful for my good friends.
God Bless me all these four things

MaryH said...

I am thankful for:
My job and that I can pay almost all my bills.

The good people I work with.

My friends old and new - especially the ones who somehow know just when to show up because I need them most at that time.

My 97 year old mother who has her mind in spite of a failing body - her presence on this Earth just makes me feel safe

My daughter who is grown - still lives at home - we are such good friends and work together well and keep a happy home (most of the time)

My older daughter who will make me a first time grandma around July 5 - God willing!

I'm thankful for all our family's animals - they are the kindest of God's souls - we have a Greyhound (Wanda), a cat (Gordon) and a horse (Hank) - all rescues-they let us know every day they just love their forever home.

Now, if a few of you could just pandamically sneeze a little more sunshine in the direction of St. Louis, MO - I would be thankful for that also. The flowers are pretty in spite of the clouds. The white bushes are exceptional this year. So, I guess I'm thankful for white blooms.

Anonymous said...

I have been counting my blessings today and here are just a few :

~Jesus..my best friend
~My husband and his humor.
~My son's musical talent and the many ways God is allowing it to be used for His honor.
~that I have medicine to help me with a bad bad headache.
~for you, Becky and your family. I am inspired every day by the amazing way God is made obvious through your writing and your witness.
Love
Kim W.

Meg said...

I'm thankful that:

- I was accepted to and can afford to go to my first choice college

- I only have to put up with my ridiculous environmental science teacher for 1 more week

- my best friend is moving back from Hawaii for college and we will be in the same city for the next 4 years

- books, chocolate, and music exist

- there is a new episode of the office on tonight (the only show my entire family watches together)

-i finished my 15 page psychology paper and can get some sleep tonight!

- this blog, which makes me stop and think about the things i am thankful for :)

*Meg*

Anonymous said...

I am thankful for my cat...that I can work and have a job... that I can drive and have a super little red car... for friends and family ... and for this blog!
JanH

Anonymous said...

- i am thankful for that I have so nice teachers in school

- That I have a good family and friends

- Books, that you can 'be' in a another word for a while

' My health

- My computer

- the beautiful weather . it is blue and pink

- For your blog and writing Becky

- Truth and honestly

Trine

Sue G said...

Life
Living
God
Jesus
Communication
The color green (I live in the desert)
The smell of freshly cut grass
Rain
Mornings and new mercies
The innocence of babies
The wisdom of seniors
Hallways
Forgiveness
Mistakes
Opportunities
Possibility
Faith
Favor
Growing
Learning
Listening
Loving
Receiving
Giving
Prayer
Family
Friends
Ripples in water
Thunder
Eternity
My kidney
Health insurance
The artistry of sunsets and sunrises
Gifts of the heart
Gifts of the spirit
Remembering
Forgetting
Peace
Freedom
Knowing God knows
Joy
Renewal
Rebirth
The reward of a second chance
The excitement of a first chance
And so much more....

Anonymous said...

Catherine
Iam thankful for my family.
my jobs
my wonderful childeren
my home
my car
my friends
my relationship with Jesus Christ espeically and the fact he died for all our sins.
And his mercy that will get us threw.

Kristin said...

I am thankful for...

-Family and friends

-Being able to go to college when so many do not get the chance

-Music and chocolate (I wouldn't be able to survive college without them).

-Student loans (wouldn't be in college without them).

-the wonderful clean air here in beautiful Flagstaff and the smell of the pine trees.

-that the semester will be over in a week and that I will be able to go home and be with my family.

-Monsoon storms after the long summer of 120 degree weather.

-LIFE!!!

:)

Anonymous said...

I am so thankful I can read blogs, CB sites and able to pray for people. I am thankful for friends, family and a husband that rocks. I am thankful for my new job and benefits. I am thankful for freedom to go out and do what I want. I am thankful for unemployment which kept us going while looking for work. I am thankful for all my sight, hearing, and general good health. I am thankful for you Becky thanks for sharing and encouraging..
Hugs from Iowa,
Marjie

Anonymous said...

Here's a few things I'm thankful for...

-that after a horrible rainy day, the sun is out and the windows are open.

-that dinner is cooking away in the crock pot

- the kids are all coming home from school and excited for our family game night, which includes lots of chocolate and pictionary!

-for my hubby who is going to run to the grocery store after work to get the game hahaha(apparently without the game board it's no fun..according to the kids?)

-Lastly I'm thankful that I got to live today with my family and create memories that I will hold forever!

Hopefully you enjoy the little list..

Lillian

Anonymous said...

A list of thing that make me sneeze sunshine:

-trains that wail in the dark, reminding me that there's a great big world out there
-moms that smile when they see their kids
-frogs that laugh when you look at them
-rain that drips down my nose

-Robin-

Lyndsay said...

Today I was thankful:

1. That I got to go wedding dress shopping with one of my best friends. She looked so beautiful!

2. That it was sunny instead of raining like the forecast... forcasted.

3. For the huge smile my daughter broke into when I arrived at preschool to pick her up.

4. That my husband called to say he wouldn't be home for dinner... I love my husband, but it was a treat to just heat up a frozen pizza for my daughter and I.

5. Grey's Anatomy is on tonight!

lesley said...

I am thankful for...

John coming home from college in 7 days.

Red tulips against a white picket fence

A bowl of popcorn

Sarah only weighing 70 pounds :)

moolady said...

I'm thankful for...

my family

my friends

my dog

the sweet smell of orange blossoms in my backyard

Anonymous said...

I am thankful for good health...
No more pneumonia, wheezing and coughing.

I am thankful to have met a wonderful all American Smith family, who has good health, love, and lots of friends.

I am thankful that Sarah only has borderline hearing loss...

I am thankful for having a great husband to take care of me when I am ill.

I am grateful to God for giving us three wonderful daughters, sons in law and 7 wonderful grandchildren.

I am grateful for a wonderful niece who is like a daughter to us

I am grateful to be living on God's economy...and not man's.

I am grateful for a great home church.

I am grateful for the love of Jesus.

I am grateful for a paid-for home and the ability to travel

I am grateful for great friends.

And since it is so late, I am grateful to be grateful...

Fran

Lisa from GA said...

I am thankful for...

*our new home which is almost complete!

*my precious 14 year old who is trying out for cheerleading this week and says even if she does not make it it has been fun trying out!

*my 16 year old son who actually wanted to go shopping with me just to spend some time together! (a collective ahhhh would be nice here)

*A blog writer who makes me think of things to be thankful!

Jane Copes (Professor Sepoc) said...

I'm very thankful that I can get dirty and sweaty and even muck about in the compost because leukemia is in the rear view mirror!

I get to have fun with science every single day. Some days I get to have extra fun because I'm bringing science fun to kids. Last week I did a little closed circuit TV show for kids in the Twin Cities Childrens' Hospitals. A little girl called in and asked if she could do my experiments in her hospital room. So I'm going to work on some experiments to do in bed. Well, maybe I need a little better title. Jane

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for:

God, who gives us the ability to even know what thankfulness is and who gives me the privilege of having a personal relationship with Him.

My husband amd son, who light up my world

Extended Family--My sisters who are my treasured friends, my mom and dad and my mom-in-law as well as the rest of our siblings and assorted relatives on both sides!

Springtime after a loooong WI winter

Pizza and a movie at home on Friday nights

Our new little SUV that replaced our very dilapidated van

Birds--love to watch them and feed them!

Money enough to pay the bills with some left over

A free country with so many comforts and privileges

My church family

A day off

Good health

Sarah's good health

I could go on and on but there's at least a sampling! :-)

Beth K. said...

I am thankful for my family and friends. God has blessed us with many!

I am thankful for taking the speech class and that I have only 2 more nights to go! Praises!!!

I am thankful that for the past 19 years, I have been able to enjoy the sunrise on the way to work. What a beautiful masterpiece!

Redvines -- oh yummy!

leeanne said...

I am thankful for..
My brand new great-niece born just last night

My job that I love, which is secure and the bosses are fantastic!

My daughter (25 yrs.old) who calls me EVERY SINGLE DAY, sometimes more than once and I love her so very much!

Flip flops. Yep. Flip flops!!

And fresh asparagus. Oh my goodness.

Erin said...

I'm thankful for...

God who answers prayers and who knows even when I don't know.

My family and especially my mom who is always supportive and comforting, even over the phone.

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for lots of things and will name just a few below:

--my God and Savior
--my husband and parents
--my puppy and cat
--safe travel this past week end
--awards my Pilot Club of Roanoke Valley received at the NC District Convention for service projects
--the Smith family!!!!
--protection and health
--my extended family (even to great nieces and nephews)
--God's healing power (my 3 1/2 month-old great niece was hospitalized yesterday with pneumonia in both lungs--pray for her)
--love and support of friends
So many more blessings but I'll stop.
Ann in Roanoke Rapids