Overwhelmed with Gratefulness

[wswartzwel]

Maybe I have had more than my share of hard times in life, so I am constantly looking for the good, but as I am sitting on my back patio smoking some chicken breasts it occurred to me how good most of us have it in life. We can work and get most anything we want... be it cars motorcycles, power tools, toys... I have a wife that after 35 years I still stare at, and think how lucky I am that she loves me. 3 grown kids who are relatively successful in life and some that have overcome some schit in life that they didn't expect but they handled it well.

I have some great friends, some who post on these forums, and some that have stayed at my house that have had a huge impact in my life by how they overcome challenges and influenced me in many ways. Contemplating existence, and although I have had some huge pain over the years, it has always been overshadowed by all the good stuff. As I have lurked and posted a little in OT, I have seen some other people here that I don't know personally, but i get the impression that they have made decisions to play the cards they were dealt as best as they could, and have reaped the rewards. I saw a spare tire cover on a jeep that said "Life is Good"

I am sure some of you if you stop and think would agree that although it can be tough to be positive about life... Overall it has some really fun and exiting times, if we choose to look for them. BTW beer and smoking meat is high on my list..

[KFC911]

Nicely done!

But I thought this thread was about Jerry

[speeder]

Nice porch!

And you’re right, most of us here have it pretty good, just based on the kind of things we talk about. People have property, vehicles, families, the whole nine. A lot of people in the world have lives that suck...sometimes due to their own actions and decisions but not always.

Be grateful.

[TimT]

[ckelly78z]

My wife of 32 years, and I have certainly overcome many terrible situations with grace, and also have 2 successful grown kids, who still like us. We enjoy the quiet times on our 10 acre farm, have good friends, and family, and do try to appreciate all that we have, and can look forward to as well.

Thank you for posting this, we sometimes forget, and get caught up in the details.

[Bugsinrugs]

I feel fortunate every day. I retired a year before Covid hit and just can’t imagine trying to keep my employees on and paying my overhead in these crazy times. I’m stacking my 15 cords of wood that I split this winter and loving being left alone.

[LWJ]

Agreed. We got it good. Thanks for the heads up. Good to contemplate.

[stevej37]

Nice back yard area!
Can't tell the beer brand...but it looks wrong!
(See other thread below)

[wswartzwel]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Nice back yard area!
Can't tell the beer brand...but it looks wrong!
(See other thread below)

Moosehead. I had just ridden my MTB for a couple hours and wanted something light. I have other brands.

[stevej37]

Very Nice!!

[Por_sha911]

My wife's friend just lost her husband of 51 years Saturday.
The brother in law of a friend of ours died suddenly of a massive heart attack (in his 50's)
If you have a loving spouse, cherish them. You aren't promised tomorrow.

[wswartzwel]

^^^^^^ Yes. a few of my friends have lost loved ones. no guarantees

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

My wife's friend just lost her husband of 51 years Saturday.
The brother in law of a friend of ours died suddenly of a massive heart attack (in his 50's)
If you have a loving spouse, cherish them. You aren't promised tomorrow.

Yep.

[craigster59]

Great post at a crappy time. We all forget what's good and dwell on the negative. It comes at us from both sides and it sucks.

Screw it. Banana Splits for dinner tomorrow night. I've been promising myself that for 52 years.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

Moosehead. I had just ridden my MTB for a couple hours and wanted something light. I have other brands.

Great post..thank you.

I'm not a beer drinker but that pic is awesome!

[Sooner or later]

Great post. We can easily forget how blessed we can be.. Thanks

[livi]

Given that state of mind, that backyard and that beer fridge - IŽll be right over!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

You aren't promised tomorrow.

There is no tomorrow.

Carpe Diem!

Thanks, Bill....cheers!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Agreed. We got it good. Thanks for the heads up. Good to contemplate.

That is my take as well...

I don't now why this makes me happy every time I drive by the barns, but it does. My wife throws stuff out every Spring and we see what happens.

[wdfifteen]

Very nice post OP. It's good to stop and adjust your perception now and then. You gave me the impetus to do a little of that myself. Thanks.