Please note the stories below are some of the wonderful stories selected at a family launch party for the Gratitude Circle app.
–Story 1–
I have experienced many positive and negative aspects of life and over time we all grow to appreciate the best moments given to us. One of the most eye opening and significant points of my life was when three years ago, one of my very dear friends was diagnosed with breast cancer and had called me to break the unfortunate news. As I was quietly sobbing behind the phone line and trying not to cry and only show strength, she positively assured me that everything will be okay and not to worry. Treatment was there and she would be okay.
Right after I had talked to her, my sister called me and as we were talking and she noticed the somber tone in my voice, she asked if everything was okay. I told her I had just heard from my friend and that she was diagnosed with stage 2 of breast cancer. As I was speaking with her about some of the details of the symptoms, my sister said, “Wow, lately, I have had similar feelings and symptoms.” The next few days as she visited her doctor and asked for biopsy and additional testing was made, to our shocking surprise, my sister, too, was diagnosed with stage 2 of breast cancer and needed the exact same and possibly more treatment. In a matter of a week, my one and only dear sister and a close friend both were diagnosed.
I am so remarkably thankful to my friend for sharing her story with me. Had she not talked to me and mentioned her illness, who knows when my sister would have taken her symptoms more serious. In a way, my friend saved my sister’s life and for that I’m eternally grateful to her.
–Zainab Masumi
Source/Credit for Photo Above: Southern Web
–Story 2–
You know the feeling of driving and somehow you arrive to the destination but didn’t realize how you got there? It’s an unsettling feeling because we realize our mind was adrift and we weren’t completely present. Sadly, many of us live our everyday lives this way.
Time doesn’t stop for anyone. All too often we hear this expression and others with similar meaning. Life drifts by in a blink and even though we know this, we’re too wrapped up in all of our daily routine to stop and reflect. As the years go by and life becomes busier, I find it increasingly important to stop, reflect, and enjoy the present moment.
I’m most grateful for “present moments.” These moments in life make me feel the most alive and captivated.
Most of my days as a working mother of three are a whirlwind. From the buzzing sound of the alarm at 6am to the moment I lay my head to rest, it’s a marathon filled with rushing to get from one place to the next. Work, meetings, after school activities, making dinner, helping kids with homework, bath time, bedtime. I’m always on the go. We’ve all experienced this at some point. We’re exhaustingly trying to get from one minute to the next and accomplish enough to get through the day successfully.
In between all this madness, I find pockets of time where I stop and notice something. It might be as simple as the fragrant smell of my morning coffee, the way the sun shines on my face or watching my children peacefully sleeping in the evening. These are moments I can stop, reflect, and be completely present. In these moments I am most grateful to God for all his blessings. In these moments I thank Him for everything He has given me and I take time to pray for those who are in need. In these moments I’m completely attentive to my surroundings. No internal distractions racing through my mind and no external noise can be heard. Pure silence and simply living in the moment.
–Madina Masumi
Source/Credit for Photo Above: Coles Classroom
–Story 3–
I’m grateful for pizza. Pizza makes my life.
An ode to pizza:
Oh, pizza
You beautiful piece of nutritional value and deliciousness
How you make my mouth water
How you make my day brighter
You give me comfort when I am down
Your cheesy perfection does not make me frown
How many toppings can I add?
One, two, three and pineapples, too!
I come home from work, tired and lazy
And you are there to make my life easy
I can share you with my friends where all will delight
How you bring about a smile to their faces
Or I can eat you by myself
Eat in front of the TV and let the soothing sounds of laughter ease me after a long day
Pizza, I love you.
–Zahra Masumi
Source/Credit for Gif Above: Giphy
Want to see your story or essay online? Submit to info@gratcircle.com and have your story reviewed!!