Confession time. I was at a loss for this week’s prompt — GRATITUDE. I just couldn’t think of anything new to say. Oh, there is plenty say, but somehow every time I set the timer and glanced at the words, well, they sounded so predictable. I mean, grateful for every day. Grateful to be alive. Grateful for another new day. Blessed by the extraordinary hiding among the ordinary, I was thisclose to calling it a day and skipping the exercise completely or at least taking an extra day or two to reformulate my thoughts. I’ve been known to do that a few times, falling out of my Friday writing routine and into a Saturday session. But, through the grace of God and the indulgence of my fellow Five Minute Friday contributors, I knew I would be forgiven!
Then it happened. As I sat down deliberating my next FMF move, my attention was drawn to a photo medley I just completed on my living room wall. That’s it. That’s my Gratitude Wall … my Blessing Wall … my Memory Wall … my Reason To Go On Wall.
So, instead of five minutes of writing, I’ll share 50 plus years of gratitude. The visual says so much more than my words could ever do.
The Beginning
Joe’s Family
Dee’s Family
Scott’s Family
Jay’s Family
Cole’s Family
I am so Grateful!
Under Kate Motaung’s direction, hundreds of bloggers rally around a themed word and, well, write for five minutes. No rules. No backtracks. Nothing profound. Not perfect. Just five minutes of writing, letting the Spirit move you … on Friday … Saturday … or sometimes beyond. Then we link at www.fiveminutefriday.com, read the remarkable stories from other writers in the group and encourage them. You should stop by, beginning at the Community section. You can read the snippets, share your thoughts, or even join in!
I’ve been using testimonials about the group and the exercise from other members as collected in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Flat compiled by Susan Shipe. This week’s it’s by Melinda. I hope she inspires you to give this writing activity a shot. I hope at least her words inspire you to at least give this writing workout a look.
“Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘Friends you haven’t met yet?’ That’s what FMF is. A group of friends who get together all over the Internet to write and encourag2e each other. We pray for each other, we talk and laugh, all through social media, a platform that wasn’t so readily available 15 years ago. FMF means friends who write and who are faithful.”
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Grace and elegance is about connecting with people and considering them as your equal. — Garance Dore
The Light 
Love this post. I’m going through the same thought process right now that you did at the beginning when you felt close to calling it a day and skipping the week’s exercise, but maybe I’ll think about it a little bit longer before I do. That’s a lovely gratitude wall you have.
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Thank you. When you try to live a life of gratitude, writing about it seems shallow. IMHO. Hope you get inspired!
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Joe, this is lovely.
My gratitude, not so pretty, but I do have WAY too much fun.
I’m glad to have the chance to dwell
where it will all take place,
where not so far from Roswell
will come back Land of Grace.
The learn-ed ridicule and spurn
my vision as unhip,
but I await The King’s return
upon the Mother Ship.
I know that Elvis will arrive,
and I’ll be seeing him
ever-healthy and alive,
in full-singing trim,
and the doubters soon will find
the cure to their suspicious minds.
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Glad you’re having some fun. Thanks.
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that is what I love about FMF! every time she gives a new word, no matter how little I *think* I have to say about it, the words come and the surprise of truth is unveiled. Thank you for sharing your gift of words with us!
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Joe, I love this. your photos speak volumes. Just when you thought you didn’t know what to write, your photos took over for you. What a blessed post. Thank you so much.
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Thank you. It was a special moment. Seven pictures — 7,000 words. That’s more productive than I’ve been in a long time.
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