Gratitude #2

I'm only two days into this gratitude series, and I've already made a fool of myself. 

Yesterday I wrote about being able to remember names and faces well and how I believe it's one of my strengths. Every November I make and sell pumpkin rolls. Last night I had some people coming by to pick up their orders. My doorbell rang, and I opened the door expecting to find my neighbor Rebecca on the porch (that's who it looked like through the camera on my phone screen). Instead, I was met by someone I didn't know, and because I was a bit stunned, I kind of just stood there staring at her. My brain was on loop trying to place this woman. I finally said, "Who are you picking up for?" She looked back at me and said, "Um... me? Tiffany?"

You guys! I know this woman! She buys pumpkin rolls from me every year! And when I opened my door, I had no clue who she was. 

In my defense, she was wearing glasses and has lost 100 lbs since last year. So yeah... she looks quite different. But I am so embarrassed that I didn't know who she was. Especially since I knew she was  coming, and I'd just bragged on the internet that I remember people soooooo well. 

Sheesh. 

Let's move on to the next prompt and see what else I can do to embarrass myself. 

Second chances. 

Being able to be forgiven.

Being able to try again.

A few months ago at church I was a little disheartened by the tone of some of the comments being made in testimony meeting and later in our Sunday school class. Everyone was talking about the ways they'd been wronged/offended/mistreated at church. Fortunately, these comments were all about things from the past and things that had happened in former wards, so it didn't feel accusatory toward the people in the room, per se. However, no congregation is perfect, so these things happen all the time even in our current ward family. The thing that ate away at me that day was that a lot of the offenses sounded like the perpetrator was just a wee bit ignorant. I felt like I was hearing story after story of people just saying and doing the wrong thing but not having ill intent. 

After each account I kept thinking, "I understand why you found that hurtful, but would you let that person try again?" I kept imagining myself in the position of the offender and just hoping that when I've said something stupid or ignorant or offensive that I would be given a chance to try again. 

I am grateful for everyone who has been hurt by me in some way but loves me anyway. I'm grateful that I've been given second chances, and I'm grateful for friends and family who understand that I'm still learning and growing and trying to do better. 

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Last time I did this gratitude series, I wrote about friendship for this prompt.