Seeing the shuttle race into the heavens earlier this week was an awesome experience, one far more emotional than I ever expected. There was the awe factor…the fact that ever-so-imaginative people could dream of sending men into space and ever-so-smart people could make that happen is just mind-boggling, not to mention the ever-so-brave men and women who are willing to trust their lives to be in that space vehicle hurtling upward at speeds I cannot fathom. I literally was trembling as the shuttle soared skyward, and when I mentioned it to Wayne, he said he was a well.
And what a sense of patriotism there was among the crowd. The early rounds of cheers when the weather status changed to green and again when the last built-in hold expired and the countdown resumed were probably based more on the idea we were going to see what we’d came for, but those that came as the smoke began to billow and the shuttle began its skyward journey were of pride in our country and what it can accomplish. As the shuttle grew smaller and smaller, the chant of USA! USA! grew louder and louder.
Mostly, however, I was filled with gratitude…in part for the opportunity to witness such a spectacular event but more for the chance to see Wayne witness it. It’s something he’s wanted to do for a long time. We held tickets once, some years ago, but the mission was delayed and we couldn’t return on the new date. And we were close a few months back until sea breezes blew in too many clouds as the launch time neared. He’d tried so hard to get tickets to this launch, sitting by the computer when they became available only to be disappointed when they were gone in less than five seconds. But patience and effort are ultimately rewarded and here we were, finally taking in this amazing sight.
In the hours leading up to the launch, the local media circulates through the crowds interviewing those watching in the hopes of adding a little human interest twist to this news event. They stopped at the man seated in front of me, a friendly fellow who’d made conversation with everyone nearby. He looked to be about our age and was not only a willing interviewee but a great story as well. He had a simple yet profound response to the reporter’s questions about why he’d come. Despite his apparent vigor, he was losing his eyesight and had only a short time left to see the things he wanted to see. He’d sold his house in California, bought a fifth wheel camper, and he was seeing as much as he could in the time that remained. He’d been to Alaska, driven the width of the U.S. to Niagara Falls, and after numerous stops along the East Coast, he was hoping to see the shuttle launch. It was on his bucket list. I’m still moved by his story and the fact that he could cross this one off his list. It was on Wayne’s bucket list as well and while he might have had other opportunities to move this one to the “done” column, it was still such a rush when all went as we’d hoped.
Whether they’re formalized and reduced to writing or just fuzzy thoughts that occasionally pop to the surface of our consciousness, I’m a believer in bucket lists…and a believer in finding ways to make those wishful thoughts become a reality. There’s a distinction in my mind between goals you set to accomplish for yourself verses the sights or experiences you would include on a bucket list but maybe that’s just due to my age and stage in life. It isn’t so important what’s in the bucket as it is to invest the effort to make them happen…to see and do and experience instead of just letting life pass you by as you never know what the future holds. And to persevere, for when at last you are able to cross one off your list, you have not only the satisfaction of having done/seen/experienced it but the reward for your patience and persistence. I am blessed to have witnessed both this week.
Here’s the layout I created:
Supplies:
Cardstock and mini brads: Bazzill Basics Paper
Patterned paper: Jenni Bowlin Studio, KI Memories and SEI
Punch: EK Success
Acrylic stars: Heidi Swapp for Advantus
Ink: Tsukineko
Embossing powder: Ranger
Chipboard letters: BasicGrey
Paint: Golden Paints
Font: Berlin Sans, Microsoft
Other: Graph paper
The background of the layout is actually white graph paper with some clear acrylic stars extending off the edges, but since both were getting lost against the white of the screen, I placed some gray behind it to make the layout show up a little better.
I’m thrilled to be the Guest Blogger over at the Creating Keepsakes blog today, talking about a subject that not only is dear to my heart but very appropriate with Thanksgiving just days away: scrapbooking your gratitude. Follow the link to see an explanation and photo tutorial on how to create the embossed pattern I made on the stars. It will have you looking at clear acrylic embellishments with a new eye.
But I couldn’t leave you without some creative little tidbit here, too…and it’s definitely gratitude-based as well. Here’s a quick little project you can do in just minutes.
The creative person behind Whisker Graphics made this delightful gratitude mini-book as a free download on her blog. I can’t link to the exact entry but go back through the Archives and find the entry for July 15 for the download link. There are seven different (and cute) page designs plus a cover and all print on a single sheet. With a few cuts and a little ribbon you have a fun and meaningful way to record five good things in your life each day for a week.
Maybe you’d like to make one for each member of your family. If everyone started today, you could read them as you gather around the table for Thanksgiving dinner. Or you could pass them out at Thanksgiving and collect them later. And here’s a novel idea…you could scrapbook them! Take a photo of everyone on Thanksgiving together with the food, table decorations and holiday activities, use the booklets for the journaling and create a meaningful mini-album for Thanksgiving instead of your standard layout. Just a little thought. And after Thanksgiving, print them again and use them for journaling cards on other layouts. They’re just too cute not to.
The opportunities for gratitude are everywhere.
***Each Friday's post is part of my 52 Blessing project...an effort in 2009 to be more aware of and grateful for the blessings in my life.
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