Friday, December 24, 2010

Grateful for my Crocs

I remember the first time I saw a pair of crocs: they were a dull shade of yellow, much stained, and very large; they were on the feet of a fisherman, and I remember thinking how fun and practical they looked.

What I hadn't realized was their orthotic value: once I discovered that, I bought a pair, and eventually I had them in several colors.  In fact, back in the day when I was 20 pounds heavier and lived in jumpers, I also lived in my crocs.

But now I only have a pair or two, and I just use them as slippers around the house or to throw on my feet when I go out to walk the dog.  And this morning I am really grateful for my crocs.

...Because I had to take my daughter's boyfriend to the ferry around 6, and I'd forgotten to check the tide calendar before we left -- there didn't see any point as the tides have been half an hour later in the day the last few days -- so I just threw on my crocs and drove out.

OOPS!  When I returned from the ferry, around 6:20 or so, the water was already over the road, so I parked my car at a neighbor's house (something I'd planned to do anyway so I could get out later) and started to walk around the edges.  But the water was already deep (something I hadn't expected).  Fortunately my crocs are perfect waders, so I rolled up my jeans and waded through; it was already up over my ankles in places.  It was (as I'm sure you can imagine) REALLY COLD, but not too bad.

And now, safely back at my house, my crocs washed and my feet dry and toasty, I see that the tide won't be cresting for another 40 minutes or so but it's already up under the wheels of all the cars.  Good thing I moved them up next to the garage last night! 

So as we move into Christmas Eve, I find myself feeling grateful -- for crocs, for foresight, for our neighbors, for a warm house and dry toes, for the friends who will join us tomorrow and for the shrinking of my to-do list.  No time for meditation today, but there's always time to count our blessings and be grateful.  So what are YOU grateful for today?  As the old gospel hymn says --

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done!

4 comments:

Maureen said...

I'm deeply grateful for your friendship and the inspirational words you post each day.

Merry Christmas (and hugs). Wishing you peace and joy and success in the New Year.

Gberger said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Diane. Your recent photos from the spit have blessed me with their crispness and beauty. What a gorgeous place to live! xoxo

Kimberly Mason said...

I am grateful for YOU! I just received the new calendar, thank you! My oldest was there when I opened it up and he heard me exclaiming "Oh! That's my FAVORITE picture, no, THAT one is!..." and he asked what I was talking about. I told him that this is the new calendar, the one just like the one I made him put back up on the wall as soon as the paint was dry and we both commented that November was a great color scheme for the room. :P

(BTW, July is my FAV!)

Patricia Ryan Madson said...

I am grateful today for all the kind souls who work on Christmas day at airports and ferryboats and convenience stores when we run out of milk, and who keep our culture working 24/7. AND I'm grateful to the Internet for connecting us via blogs. Blessings to you Diane. You give so much.