A Basketball, My Boys and a Warm December Breeze

This was one of those moments.

Daniel had been asking me to shoot hoops with him in the driveway all afternoon. I knew the sun would soon be setting so I took Jacob out and let him toddle around as Daniel and I began a rousing game of basketball. The air was only slightly cool and a nice breeze was blowing. Between shots, I would glance out over the horizon and count my blessings. Here I was, in the midst of the busiest time of the year and I was goofing around with two of the most important people in my life. The sun was beginning to set and a pink glow started to rise just above the hills in the distance.

Jacob took great delight in walking around as Daniel and I tried our best to get the ball away from one another. Whenever one of us would make a basket and cheer, Jacob would smile and start clapping his hands. It really was a lot of fun.

We took a quick break to walk down to the end of the driveway to check the mail. The drive is long and steep so I carried Jacob and Daniel dribbled the ball as our golden retriever Cassie chased after. On the way back up, Daniel ran ahead and a strong breeze blew in making Jacob blink his eyes as he giggled in delight.

I looked off to the southwest and the sky was filled with swirling grey clouds mingling with bright pink ones. I looked around and realized that I was completely happy at that moment.

I journeyed back up the driveway and back into a game I would eventually lose 40 - 36. But as I walked, I was grateful beyond words. I was grateful for little boys and basketballs and warm December breezes. I was thankful for giggles and little hands clapping and for health and for family. But, most of all, I was thankful for the feeling of contentment that washed over me today.

I want for nothing.