Gratitude

Gratitude and Patience - those are two things I pray for daily, hourly, minutely.  I try to remember a time about a year ago to remind me to practice being grateful.
The boys and I were in Solana Beach - my favorite California beach!  It is known for great waves and the bluff area always being sunny - after all, Solana means "sunny spot".
The boys were playing on the beach and I went for a walk toward the "rock pile" we call it.  It's a area jutting out into the ocean at a point with rocks and shells.  I told myself, "I'm going to find a sand dollar."  I have never found a sand dollar on that beach or any other in fact in the great state of California.  While I was intently looking for shells, I found some cool all black one, a mostly intact curled up one and some others.  I finally decided to give up my quest for a sand dollar and stopped to just enjoy the beauty.  God had created a gorgeous day - sound of the ocean, squacking of seagulls, and the roar of the waves.  I thanked him for all that he had created and was filled with gratitude that my family was able to enjoy the precious coastline.
I started my walk back to our chairs to check on the boys and came across a perfect sand dollar.  It was there gleaming on the sand, not a half dollar, but a perfectly round, perfectly perfect sand dollar.  I am sure it was God reminding me that, when you are filled with gratitude, your wishes do come true.