Dear Reader:

“Grit” is not a word that is used in everyday jargon, but it is on my favorite “Top Ten” word list. I remember asking my grandmother what “grit” meant one time when I heard her use it in a conversation. She paused, thought for a moment, and said “backbone” and walked away.

“Backbone” I thought, what does somebody’s spinal column have to do with the word “grit” …which I still didn’t know the meaning of…?

Hummm….there are some words that simply take living out life experiences to fully understand the definition. “Grit” is one of those words.

Personally, I just love to say the word…”Grit” is short and concludes on a resounding “T” note  that gives it a powerful, unexpected ending. The word sounds like it means business…crisp and sharp!

In my favorite John Wayne cowboy movie, “True Grit” (that I saw as an adolescent)I finally came to  understand what the word meant…yet it is still not an easy word to define unless the person you are defining it to…has either seen it in others or felt it themselves.

I found an interesting tidbit about this word while ‘surfing the internet.’ Apparently some psychologists have discovered that the two most important ingredients that need to be implanted in our childrens’ psyche at an early age… the two items that become indicators in their success as adults: Grit and Gratitude.

The more I thought about these two words…the more I understood their importance in the ultimate outcome of our personal, individual journeys through life.

*(Historical tidbit)

I remember, with some humor, reading that Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy under William McKinley, was furious with the President for not declaring war, immediately, on Spain when the “Maine” blew up in Havanna Harbor. In one newspaper article he told reporters that “McKinley had about as much ‘backbone” as a chocolate eclair!” In other words…Roosevelt did not think McKinley was a “Grit” man!

Unconditional love is the catalyst towards creating a mindset that recognizes and understands what true “grit” means and is.  If we meet each child where they are and accept them for who they are at each stage in their lives…then they have a strong foundation of secure love which allows them to reach out and  find the “grit” needed to withstand problems and barriers that arise before them.

Gratitude...It is so important that our children feel genuine gratitude towards daily items in their lives as they grow up…even things as basic as food, clothing, and shelter. The nice thing about gratitude is what we learned when small…“There is always, always something to be grateful for!”

In The Academic Minute’s “The Benefits of Gratitude,” psychologist Jeffrey Froh of Hofstra University, concludes, “The feeling of gratitude can positively influence all the other factors of one’s life.” He goes on to speculate, “If there was a new wonder drug on the market that got kids to behave better, improve their grades, feel happier, and avoid risky behaviors, many parents around the world would be willing to empty their bank accounts to acquire it. Amazingly, such a product does exist. It’s not regulated by the FDA, and it’s free and available to anyone at any time. This miracle cure is gratitude.” (Source:Huffington Post/Stephen Gray Wallace/Contributor)

These days I find  gratitude in all aspects of life….plants, too, show grit and bring me much gratitude for their efforts to survive in sometimes trying conditions. (All made easier these past few days with cooler temps and lots of rain…lots of gratitude there for sure!) Here are the latest photos of gratifying beauty within and outside my home…Thank you my “true grit” green friends. (Some newcomers joining the garden.)

Also…thank you Vickie for sharing the photo (below) of wild morning glories you took on your morning bike ride. Vickie said they reminded her of me. What a nice thing to say. You “is” the “bestest” neighbor!”

 *Anne… these morning glory wild flowers remind me of Ireland! (They grew in abundance along the side of the road!)

Vickie also let me cut some hydrangeas from her huge abundantly-“endowed” bushes. They look so pretty in the house!

So until tomorrow:

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Jackson came home yesterday and was very happy to do so. Now comes the reality of figuring out how to get where, when, and how to do it without falling. The physical therapists will begin soon coming to her home for about a week until she can drive again. She also has Matthew and Jhasmany there to support her physically, and spiritually for a few more days. We are proud of you Jackson and so glad the surgery is over.

I was so happy to bump into Gene and Debi Baker’s daughter, Julie, at Castillo’s yesterday. She and Mandy did a lot together when they were little…swimming lessons, sleep-overs, and birthday parties!

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It was so good to catch up with all her comings and goings and especially meet Hudson, her five-year-old! Julie, you are beautiful…like your mom with your good “genes” or should I say “Eugenes!” 🙂