Protected

I broke down and bought a cover for my flat-top stove this week.

If you read last week's blog, you'll understand why.

It's heat-resistant and will protect both my stovetop and the things on top of my stove.

Which will (hopefully) keep them from melting.

And it expresses one of my favorite sentiments. Bonus!

I like how it adds a little color and character to my kitchen.

In fact, last night, I ended up using my air fryer and steaming vegetables in my microwave just so I wouldn't have to move it.

It's a small thing I can do to protect my home.

Tiny in the grand scheme of things, even.

But when you think about all of the little things we do for our homes, our families and our relationships to protect them, they add up.

Every fire extinguisher, smoke detector, alarm system, handheld container of pepper spray, care package we send to our kids at school, is one piece of the bigger picture.

And then there are the ways we can feel protected that aren't so tangible.

• Knowing there's someone at home to greet us with a smile and a warm hug when we get there

• Having people in our family who can come over and fix things when we need them

• Being able to share our struggles and triumphs with friends who understand us

• Spending time taking care of ourselves so our bodies and minds are healthy and strong

All of these are important - the tangible and intangible.

Feeling protected in life is essential.

When our minds are at ease, when we feel confident and secure, we are willing to do more.

To be more.

We feel empowered and worry less.

Which helps us lead a happier life.

We're hosting Thanksgiving, which will involve a lot of plates and platters filled with snacks.

Those plates and platters will inevitably end up on the counter and on top of the flat-top stove when we clear the table to play games.

I'm grateful that they will be protected now.

There will be no melting after this party.

As long as I remember to put it back on the stove after we use it!

What makes you feel protected?

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