That time I became overly familiar with a self-service kiosk...

Same spot last year.  But miles different. If you want to know what spot I mean, it is propped up by pillows in my bed in the best location for reading and writing. Last year, however, I was pondering life and death. I was sick. I didn't know why. Heart palpitations, Exhaustion, and muddled-thinking ruled my days for over a month. I was awaiting test results while extremely disappointed in my inability to accomplish anything - including the annual labor of love of sending out Christmas gifts to our supporters.

While at the post office this year with about 10 very frustrated people in line behind me, crouched by the self-service kiosk printing off 155 stamps, (which unbeknownst to me printed individually), I found myself in awe of the fact that I had such stamina. During this overly long period of time becoming familiar with the little carpet on the floor (which is embossed with USPS and has a notch cut out so it fits snuggly under the kiosk - those clever USPS peeps!), trying to graciously ignore the people tapping their feet behind me, I was struck by the irony of it all. In the first week of December I was putting the finishing touches on our precious supporter Christmas gifts, the stamps - although the stamps were proving more challenging to the me and the anxious crowd in the post office than I anticipated. I kind of had to giggle at the whole weird situation and the goodness of God at the same time.

So, I'm thankful. Sometimes we need to see the extreme contrast so we are thankful for the usual, the mundane, the everyday normal. As I look at the huge box of gifts on my kitchen floor, awaiting the final step, the trip to the post office, I am overflowing with thankfulness for the usual, the mundane, the everyday normal. I hope you are too.

P.S. The problem was my overactive thyroid which I had radiated (murdered) years ago, which suddenly decided it was not ready to leave good enough alone.