1,000 Gifts-The First One Hundred

If we never really acknowledge gifts, how thankful are we in reality? We cover over everything with a prayer of, "Lord, thank you for everything you've given us." We brush over and cover everything in one large stroke, while crossing thankfulness off our check list of "good" things to do. "Oh, yeah, I'm thankful," we say whenever the subject is brought up, but we don't (I certainly don't) live lives that shout, "Thank God!" Obviously we aren't because in the next 5 minutes we proceed to grumble about very specific things, yet our thanksgiving isn't nearly so specific. We complain, "school is hard, my neighbor is a pain, my husband and I are fighting," but never "my daughter made me a card this morning, our whole family successfully recovered from the flu, and my car is running great at 150,000 miles!"

As you may or may not have guessed, I'm reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. The English-lover in me is enthralled by her writing style, but there's so much truth and meaning behind her words. I think I'm only in the fifth chapter or so, but I've started my own 1,000 gifts list and I'm going to start posting them here (every one hundred, I will post). Not only will in keep me accountable to keep going, but I want to inspire you to see considerably "small" things and thank God for them.
P.S.-If there are missing numbers, they are most likely too personal to share, or they are mushy and about my boyfriend and I don't feel the need for everyone to see. I hope that is understandable.


1,000 Gifts 

1. sunsets casting shadows over the field 
2. when he calls me "hun" 
3. pitter-patter of feet across the floor 
4. falling asleep with the teddy bear he got me clutched to my chest 
5. snail mail-handwritten 
6. little kisses on my cheeks as baby sister goes to bed 
7. the soft whirring of the dishwasher to lull me to sleep 
8. the dog basking in the sunlight 
9. blind-light leaving stripes on carpet 
10. planes leaving their white stripes in the sky 
11. footsteps down the hall-the individuality in them 
12. starbursts off street lights and headlights 
13. big, comfy t-shirts 
14. cold feet finding warm safety in the comfort of blankets 
15. anticipation-the good kind-counting the days 
16. the sound of a car shifting into gear 
17. seeing breath in fridgid air 
18. watching kids play pretend-imaginations so fluent 
19. phone light blinking when he sends a message 
20. sunlight streaming across the empty parking lot 
21. little old ladies strolling around with their carts 
22. the most unlikely friendships-so out of the ordinary, but so cherished 
23. beautiful nails 
24. "grandpa" buying me coffee 
25. singing happy birthday 
26. chilly, snow-covered yard 
27. car hitting another 1,000 miles 
28. him saying "I love you"
29. spanish with customers 
30. sleeping until you wake up on your own 
31. burning showers-relaxing 
32. the busy-flurrying of snow 
33. letting down your hair 
34. sinking into bed-cuddling warm blankets 
35. the soft rise and fall of sleeping chests 
36. still quietness early in the morning or late at night 
37. being used as the "perfect" pillow 
38. warming cold, freezing feet 
39. joints popping from use 
40. snow stuck to tree limbs 
41. quietly watching the busyness around you 
42. squawking of seagulls 
43. sitting inside, warm, watching people drive around in slush 
44. birthday Starbucks 
45. birthday signaling adulthood 
46. getting lost in story 
47. reminiscing; memories 
48. pictures-captured moments 
49. burping of the humidifier 
50. laying on the floor, dog laying beside me with his head rested on my back 
51. perfect song matching the mood 
52. listening to children play
53. dog squeaking toys 
54. the way smells remind you of so many things 
55. the sound of busy cars passing the house
56.  
57. Dad blowing water out of his razor 
58. clothes freshly out of the dryer 
59. listening to them play Mario Kart 
60. favors-given and returned 
61. inspiration from other photographers 
62. crocheting like a little old lady 
63. raindrops on windows 
64. his arms holding me tight 
65.  
66. getting to do lists finished 
67. holding his hand 
68. his hugs 
69.  
70.  
71. succulents 
72.  
73. how he plays with kids 
74. strolling around stores with him 
75.  
76. dad and Chase in their scout uniforms 
77. red nails; making me feel like a lady 
78. brightly lit night skies-stars and moon gleaming 
79. "I found my heart. It's in Virginia." -Daniel 
80. how he loves me-speaking Jesus into me 
81.  
82. date nights 
83. beautiful, seemingly painted skies 
84.  
85. warm days 
86.  
87. praying with him 
88. watching movies together 
89.  
90. him baking with me 
91.  
92. safe car 
93. cold ocean lapping at toes 
94. tulips 
95. first tattoo 
96. breaks from technology 
97. gift giving 
98. post cards 
99. little black dresses 
100. when he dresses up