It’s so easy to focus on sadness right now. It dominates my nights and days, and rightfully so. This sadness is pervasive; this is no power-through-it funk or snap-myself-out-of-it mood. This sadness is messy. I track it everywhere. Sometimes, it’s hard to see past the sadness. Sometimes, it’s hard to see the blessings.
Luckily, I have people in my life who keep sending me funny Snaps, even though I suck at responding, and others who perform weekly wellness checks via Messenger. I have friends who text just because, call for possibly-made-up reasons, visit in the hallway during passing periods, and check on me if I don’t leave my room. My kids text on a regular basis and tolerate my paranoid inquiries. I even have a friend who gifted me a Bowl of Blessings to help me focus on the good and pray for the weaknesses I can’t make strong on my own.
Miracles. Angels. Prayers. Friendship. Family. Healing. Hope. Peace. Comfort. Faith. Support. Forgive. Gratitude. Rest. Good Health. Dream. Attitude. Love. Energy. Passion. Adventure. Happiness. Laugh.
Some, I already have. Some, I had, I lost, and I hope to regain. All are possible. Right now, each rests in this bowl of blessings, awaiting my focus, my attention, my prayers, my requests, my acknowledgment of need. All are within reach.
If I’m feeling brave or especially strong, I pick a tile — a blessing — at random. The days I have an identifiable, focus-grabbing need or weakness, I dig for the tile that offers a remedy for the day. It’s not a bowl of magic, but it is a bowl of love — love from a friend, love for myself and others, love I can realize I need. Love I know exists.
It’s also a reminder. I write about grief, and I can tie each tile to my life after Cooper’s death — to what’s missing from my life and from my soul these days — but I can also tie each tile to living a life Cooper would condone. These tiles fill a bowl, but their words can fill my soul. These words can both honor and mourn Cooper; they can remind me to live as I grieve.
This is a Bowl of Blessings.
We are the Clay Pottery on Facebook
Mary Webster 618-623-9270
mvpweb@sbcglobal.net
Woods Writes 
Dear Tonya,
Thank you for sharing this with me. It brings joy to me when I hear and see how the Bowls of Blessings have helped in some way. You wrote so beautifully about the way you use them for inspiration and healing. Our mutual friend and Blessing, Bonnie, understands more than most. I am grateful that she shared the Blessings with you.
I am grateful to read your message and to know you son’s name. Cooper. I won’t forget him. I hope to meet you someday.
Sending love and prayers for healing and comfort.
Mary
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