For about 2 weeks now, I've been following the advice on Maya's video about getting into the vortex. Admittedly, I've done better with some parts of it than others. However, I'm getting there. Heck, I WILL get there!

This past weekend, we were hit with a monster of a freak snowstorm. We've never had so much snow so early in the season. These days it's just my husband and me. Our daughter is at the other end of the country. We live in the nicest house either of us has ever lived in but it is getting to be too much. That's why I've been working on manifesting a move to a condo in my favorite city. This freak storm brought that point even closer to home, so to speak.

We waited for the snow to stop before beginning to shovel out. Our driveway is average size but looking out the window, it all looked so daunting. So, we tackled it bit by bit. The local department of transportation did a very poor job of plowing our street this time---the worst job they've ever done. Our road, due to poor plowing, is only one way and the plowed lane is across the street. Tonight they sent a plow through but all it did was replow that one lane.

So...since my husband has to get up early to work, (I'm very grateful that he works at home, btw.) I told myself, after he went to bed, that I needed to get out there and work on shoveling the remainder of the snow.

However, before I did that, I told myself that I must do my daily writing in my gratitude diary. Needless to say, I wasn't really in the mood. However, I started writing. The first thing I wrote was "I am grateful for still being able to shovel snow." You see, I'm in my mid-50s and my husband is in his early 60s. I'm not as fast at shoveling as I was in my younger days.

Earlier in the day, I jokingly said to my husband, "I wish the snow shoveling fairies would pay us a visit."

Well...I went out to shovel. While doing so, I noticed our neighbor's daughter who is home from college return home. A few minutes later, I looked up and there she stood with her younger, high school aged brother. Each had a shovel in their hands. She asked if I wanted help. I hesitated---I didn't want to impose. I asked if I could pay them! Oh no!, they said and got right to work. We had a nice chat. I hadn't chatted with them in years as they are busy kids.

Before I knew it, with the 3 of us working, the shoveling was done! I thanked them profusely. Now that we can get out of the house, I'm going to buy them a nice gift. As of now, I don't know what I'll get them but I will get them something and will write a nice note, too. Their parents raised them well. When our daughter was still at home, after one snowstorm, we paid her to shovel the driveway. Our neighbors' father and the son (the one who just helped me shovel) had just finished shoveling their driveway and came over to help our daughter. I used to do holiday baking then, so I had my daughter bring over a big plate of goodies and told her to thank them.

After we were done tonight, I found myself with tears in my eyes---tears of gratitude. You see, I've always been a giver who often attracts takers who take advantage of my giving nature. Thus, having been shown such kindness has me in tears!

Sorry for the length of this. I just had to share. Tomorrow, this will go in my gratitude diary. It's always so wonderful to experience the kindness of others. I am so grateful right now.