Blessed: Living a Grateful Life - Softcover

"Ellen's vision will help you see the blessing you are to your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, even the global community-and she'll help you see the blessings that surround you." -Diane Heavin, Cofounder of "Curves"

"What makes this collection differ from many others is Michaud's unusual ability to paint word pictures that engage readers' imaginations and equip them to share in the emotions, events and blessings she describes." -Gail Welborn, "Seattle Examiner"
"Superbly done!" -Belleruth Naparstek, author of "Staying Well with Guided Imagery"
"Ellen writes beautifully, poetically, and readers will indeed be blessed." -Martha Paxson Grundy, historian and author of "Evolution of a Quaker Community"
"Ellen Michaud is blessed with an ability to find the sublime even in places and situations that, at first glance, seem anything but so. A knack for appreciating the delights of the ordinary, seen-it-and-done-it-a-million-times elements of daily life. And a tremendous gift for sharing her observations and insights with the rest of us-in conversation and in her writing, Her latest book, "Blessed: Living a Grateful Life," is yet another gift from Ellen to the rest of us." -Barbarah

Blessed is a book of heartwarming stories about women and hope--and the courage to change no matter where you are in your life.

Sometimes we just need to stop for a moment and absorb the quiet moments in the world around us--to take a deep breath and appreciate the things in life that make us thankful and bring us joy. Blessed is a call to do just that. In this heartfelt collection of her online columns from Diane, the flagship magazine of the Curves women's fitness center organization, author Ellen Michaud reminds us of the everyday blessings that surround us, but we all tend to overlook.

Entries include:

Summer in a Jar: On a 200- acre farm known for its Jersey cows and prizewinning cheese, two women harvest a cornucopia of produce that looks like it came from the Garden of Eden. Although the visit was intended to pick up ingredients for "one of the finest salsas in the near world," the end result is a view of a fertile valley, the rich smell of vegetables freshly tugged from the earth that speaks to the soul, and the natural rhythm of friendly conversation.

The Teapot: During a snowy winter storm, the author pulls her great- grandmother's worn silver teapot down from a shelf. As she polishes the teapot's tarnished surface, she contemplates its long journey over an ocean and through the generations. As she discovers engraved hallmarks that lead to a deeper understanding of its 200-year history, her appreciation for the women who traveled with it grows.

Welcome Home: As an Airbus 321 begins its descent toward the coastal lights of Los Angeles International Airport, the pilot makes an overhead announcement that stills the restless and rustling passengers. What follows are moments of contemplation about the sacrifices of soldiers and, how regardless of one's politics, there is still a shared sense of love and respect for those who fight for our freedom.

The Courage to Change: After a lifetime of self-built barriers, the author's 88-year-old aunt overcomes discouraging memories and years of grief to prove that it's never too late to open yourself to new experiences, take risks, and start over.