Choosing gratitude and joy

Yesterday I was caught in a traffic slowdown of stop and go traffic for two hours. My usual commute is about 20 mins. The radio told me of a number of accidents on the major routes around town which impacted the bypass route I had taken- it was friday at 5 30. My initial reaction was irritation and concern about riding my brakes. Then I started to see the areas I usually whiz by now dressed in fall finery and frequent elaborate halloween displays in yards as I passed. I drove through a “snowstorm” of tiny golden leaves as the wind blew. Right then I remembered I could choose to be grateful for the time to enjoy this rare view. Each tree is dressed in its signature colors from the dark red of the dogwoods to the golden birch and a few red maples just starting. The hillsides that often hold little definition were highlighting each individual tree and ridge and valley. When the road traveled along the french broad river I watched the sun sparkle on the moving water and felt I had been given a gift. I rolled down the windows and sang along with the radio and smiled and smiled.