Sharing a Moment of Grace and Gratitude

Today Gianna and I took some time to shop at the mall. We went to her favorite store (Claire’s) where she had to pick out only one thing that she wanted. Of course this is a tough choice when you are four and surrounded by so many beautiful things. She made her decision and we were paying for our stuff when I saw a plastic cell phone with lip gloss inside. It was pink with a puppy and a kitty on the front. It was all of her favorite things!

As we were walking out of the store I told her, “Mommy bought you something I think you will like.”

She was so excited to see it. When she did she stopped and in her cutest little voice with her big eyes even bigger she said, “Oh thank you so much Mommy! This is the best day ever! Thank you, Thank you!”

We hugged and when I looked up, a woman was witnessing the exchange and I could tell she was touched by the moment. We were waiting at the same kiosk but were on the other side so that Gianna could sit in the chair while we waited. By then I had moved on into mommy mode, “Oh don’t touch that, be careful, sit still!” When I looked over, the woman was telling her friend about our exchange and she was crying.

I am not sure exactly what it was about the moment that touched her so deeply but she told me, “You want to just take her and freeze her. She’s so precious.”

It wasn’t until later when I went into my meditation that the meaning of that moment became so clear. It is such a blessing that Gianna was able to express such a pure and sincere gratitude. It is a blessing that the stranger in the mall was able to share this moment and appreciate it. In the chaos of having a little child in the mall I may have forgotten the gift of her sincere gratitude if it were not for this woman.

How often are we able to just stop in a moment and express our gratitude? I did today—for that moment, for the gifts in my life, for the knowledge that I am forever supported. I am grateful for the pure bliss and joy that lives within me and for my capacity to give and receive love. I am grateful for the moments that take my breath away because these are the moments that give me life.