Written by Mary
Sometimes, gratitude just comes out of nowhere and hits you like a ton of bricks. That’s where I’m at right now and contemplating it greatly.
Like when, after having worked every day for the past few months with no break, how truly wonderful it is to come home to a clean driveway after having planned to spend the next hour shoveling – some wonderful and anonymous soul came to our rescue and snow-blowed our driveway while we were at work – for that I am so grateful. I also have gratitude for our neighbor, who I see snow-blowing the sidewalks of not only his own house, but also the houses on either side of him. This is no small feat in this lake effect snow belt. He is so kind and thoughtful.
I have a deep sense of gratitude for my husband – this week, having to come and share news with him that could be very challenging, was instead met with his smiling retort “this is exactly what we needed to happen right now,” and upon looking at his face, knowing that he really meant it with all sincerity. The very next day, while waiting for their dog to be done at the groomers two doors down, a man and his wife came into blackbird to get a cup of coffee and piece of Dan’s quiche. He looked at our bakery case and asked us a question that made me think Daniel could be right, maybe this is exactly what we need right now. It wasn’t a life changing question, just a confirmation that some might see as coincidence, but my gratitude for this simple question is enormous. It gives me purpose and conviction, and makes me believe this is exactly what we need right now.
Finally, I have a humbling sense of gratitude for our customers at blackbird café. Yesterday, while the snow continued to fall, I looked out from behind the counter to see almost all of our tables were full. Thank you to all of our customers who have made blackbird café part of their lives -- the list of people is way too long to list here (trust me, I tried) – you mean so much to me. I am truly grateful.