While I don’t always put it on www.venividiscripto.com, I am very definitely in the habit of daily thanking God for at least three things that made me happy that day. Usually the hardest part is narrowing it down to just three! There are the things that always make me happy, the children of whom I am so proud, the grandchildren who make me even prouder and the great-grandchildren who are just adorable in their own right, whether they do anything or not. I’m always grateful for the many people who respond to my blog with their own comments and thoughts. The compliments and praise are wonderful, but so is the criticism and the occasional downright nasty and untruthful comments. But they all make me learn more, appreciate more and kind of feel sorry more for people who are petty, and need to act powerful and important.
This week I’ve spent some great time with great friends. Don Burden, former Mayor of Shrewsbury and historian forever, is always fascinating to spend some time with because he is full of great historical stories be they of wedding gowns and their history, Shrewsbury, or the United States, to name just a few of his areas of expertise. The photo of the two of us was taken by Lori Draz, another great gal, terrific writer, and backbone of that great magazine that circulates pretty much throughout Monmouth County. She’s just downright fun to be with.
And it was also the week I met with many of the fine people I used to see every day at 6:30 mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in Freehold. We all went to daily mass there when I was living in Freehold, many of us didn’t know each other, but certainly knew where we sat each day and shared our prayers with whoever was in need. Now many of us are spread far from Freehold….the lovely and wonderful Joann even comes more than 100 miles from her home in Pennsylvania, and we gather for lunch at Moore’s in Freehold…another fantastic and inexpensive restaurant with terrific food…… We only meet once every couple of months now, but it’s always so great to catch up, relive some happy memories and share in each other’s accomplishments and family lives.
In my new apartment not too far from my old in Atlantic Highlands, it’s great to know one of the beautiful golden retrievers who used to politely accept my dog biscuits across the street from church now lives across the street from me and I can invite her to share in my jarful of biscuits any time.. Hey, it’s the little things in life that keep you happy.
And now, pretty soon, I’ll have an entirely new look on VeniVidiScripto, thanks to so many readers, so many requests and such an incredibly talented son who does magic with not only thoughts and words but technology as well. Every mom in the world can appreciate a son like mine who speaks loud and clear about how proud he is of his mom, knowing in many cases, he’s being ridiculed and mocked for it.
Doesn’t bother him one bit.
And while I’m proud beyond words of that youngest grandson Angus who just got commissioned in the Navy, it’s his parents, Tracie and Chris that truly make me proud on a daily basis. Seeing the three of them in their Navy white uniforms, together with Jimbo and I, participating in Angus’s commissioning ceremony is a memory that will be with me forever. And there’s lots of laughter and teasing as well, as is shown in this photo of what newly commissioned Ensign, has to do for his mom when she’s a Commander and he’s home on leave…. 
And to top it all off, I have another great grandchild on the way, this one being welcomed by grandson Jason and his wife Melissa, along with son James and daughter Cadence.
Have I mentioned I have so much to be grateful for and so many things that keep me happy?
