Getting ready to take a little break from book work. So here goes what I have to say first–

If you haven’t listened to my podcast yet at Sharing the Heart of the Matter and would like to, here’s the link. It’s about a half hour long. Time to get the dishes done or the washing folded or simply sip your coffee and relax.

If you’ve finished reading your purchased or complimentary copy of Marv Taking Charge, I’d appreciate a two-three sentence review on Amazon at this link. The exact location is at the link.

Thank you to all of you who have told me or emailed me about your reactions to my book. I’m grateful to you and know Marv would be very grateful also. In 22 days it will be five years since his death.

If you are finished reading your copy, please move it along to someone or someplace else. The larger the reading audience, the better. Include whomever may benefit, now or in the future.

Now, have a Happy Fourth. Take a moment to thank God for this occasion of gaining our independence, our freedoms, and everything else that it’s easy to take for granted.

As I raised my right leg to get into my SUV yesterday morning, it struck me that already I was taking that ability for granted. For about a year prior to and after my hip replacement last year, I had to lift my leg to get it into the car.

Then, as the day went on, other things I was grateful for popped into mind: I have a church that I like to go to, and yesterday our music director used her superhuman powers to pull in many new voices to sing an exuberant version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, causing many to shed a tear.

After church I could drive home in my clean car that Subaru washed yesterday, on a full tank of gas from Costco yesterday, and have a lunch with fresh blackberries, red cherries, and Greek yogurt also from Costco yesterday.

And, later, I could plan my annual birthday grandma / granddaughter outing for this week with my newly 14-year-old. And later yet to receive a lengthy catch-up phone call from my oldest granddaughter on the West Coast telling me to expect a visit soon.

And that’s just for starters for my gratitude moments yesterday!

What about you? Take a minute. List a few things you are grateful for already today. Then keep up the habit. And take no chances with those firecrackers! Be safe!