How about some thankfulness on a Thursday?
The current world situation is hard, hard, hard for all of us.
And it's when things are hard, hard, hard that I find thankfulness to be so important.
If life is humming along smoothly, I don't have to work to find things to be grateful for. But when times get tough, then I have to go hunt down the small mercies.
Otherwise, I just can't see them.
So!
I'm going to make a little thankful list, and if you could use a mood boost, I invite you to join me by making your own list in the comments.
Today, I am thankful:
for the people who bought Sonia's knitted animals
Sonia can't get a job right now because everything shut down shortly after she turned 16.
So, she and I are collaborating to think outside the box for income ideas, and one of our plans is to sell her knitted stuffed animals.
Because you can still knit when you are stuck at home.
We listed four of them yesterday and all four promptly sold. Yay!
for today's sunny weather
Today's sun comes on the heels of two not-so-sunny days, which is making me especially appreciate the sun.
that I can help Lisey with one of her classes
This semester she's taking, among other things, a music fundamentals college class.
Her professor has not explained things very well, and if this were a calculus class, I would be utterly useless.
But since I've played piano since I was six, and since I taught for 20 years, I am quite qualified to help with music fundamentals.
that I have workout equipment here at home
This stuff is a sold out in a lot of places right now (or is really expensive secondhand!), so I am feeling really grateful that I already owned mine last year.
that Sonia and Zoe can play online games with their friends
Sims and Animal Crossing are both fun to play with friends, and even though it's no substitute for real-life interaction, it IS better than nothing.
that my baby basil plants are growing
I always feel like I have a black thumb, so whenever something grows instead of dying, I feel very pleased.
that my parsley plant survived the winter
We had a very mild winter this year, and as a result, my parsley plant from last summer is still kicking!
It's pretty small right now, but I feel pretty confident it'll do just fine with some warm air and sunshine.
for good health
My family, including my extended family, is all healthy (even Mr. FG's 98 year old grandma!) This is definitely not something to be taken for granted, particularly in times like these.
Have been quite ill with a lung infection. This is not unusual for me at this time of year. I am very thankful I do not have the flu or the very nasty Covid 19 virus. I am also thankful for antibiotics and all the miracles that modern medicine has brought to the world.
On Tuesday my granddaughter had a very nasty fall. She is two and a half. She cut her scalp and it was down to her skull. We took her to the children's hospital where she was treated promptly with great skill. I saw her this afternoon (Thursday) and I heard all about Elsa crown.
I am so thankful that the hard to find items are returning to our shelves. I was able to buy everything I wanted to buy. Some of the limits have been raised as well.
Our temperatures have started to fall a little. Winter is very mild where I live. Our summers are hot and humid and I am glad to welcome the cooler months.
Petrol or gas is half the price it was before all this happened.I haven't seen fuel prices this low in more than 20 years.
I was able to plant some new to me vegetables this week. I hope to have some vegetables for us to eat. Winter is our prime growing season.
I may not have done as much with the lockdown time. I have found it not very different to our usual days. Yes my life, as a carer, is pretty restrictive. I am more determined than ever that one day I will be carving me time.
Those knitted animals are just adorable! I am thankful that my family and friends are all healthy ❤
I live on a quiet country road but I'm less than ten minutes from a little town that has everything from a bank to a hardware store. I walk to the end of our road and back almost every morning (weather permitting) and there hasn't been a day lately when I haven't thought about how incredibly blessed I am to have fresh air and beautiful scenery right at my doorstep. I'm also very fortunate to have good health which makes the long walk very easy! Today I actually saw two deer and a mother bear and her two little cubs!!! This did mean I had to turn and walk in the other direction.☺️
You must live down the road from me 🙂 On Saturday night, a bear smashed up our compost bin.
I am so thankful for the blessings of living in the country, even more so because I had no choice in where we live. My husband is a minister, and right out of seminary he was called to this small country church where we have a beautiful parsonage and a loving church family. And the most amazing views!
I’m kind of obsessed with those knit animals . Keep us posted on where you list them. Terrific talent!
I too have a basil plants on my windowsill that I’m tending like it’s a 4H project.
I am thankful at this time that our family of three enjoys being together. I am also grateful for time we have spent at home while medical experts work to find treatments for COVID.
I'm thankful for all things related to our 18 month old grand daughter.
I'm thankful that we are retired and could move half way across Canada to provide daycare for our daughter and son-in-law. And, we had a blissful five months caring for her and loving every second of it before Covid 19 hit.
Since the state of emergency was declared in our province, we haven't been able to see her. There has been a ban on all non-essential travel within our city, province, and county. We are allowed to walk in our own neighbourhood or use our car for grocery shopping, work deemed "essential" or medical purposes only. It's been about six weeks now! Definitely no visiting with our grand daughter.
I am so thankful for Facetime where we "chat" with our her most days. We read books to her and play ukulele (which she loves - honestly!)
I'm now thankful that, with "only" 1000 cases of Covid 19 in our province and a definite down trend, a few restrictions have been lifted so we were able to drive over to see our granddaughter yesterday....albeit from a great distance ... she stood on her top balcony of her house and we stood on the ground and blew kisses and tried not to have her see us crying....she would have no clue as to why and it would probably frighten her. It was such a wonderful feeling to see her in person! And she was just as happy as could be although a little perplexed that we were so far away on the ground.
So, yes, I'm thankful for all things "grand daughter related" and today is a good day.
I'm thankful that there WILL be a better tomorrow, it just may not come tomorrow. We'll just keep following the guidelines....they are definitely working here! And, having seen that little face smiling down on us I'm more determined to make sure her tomorrows are good ones.
P.S. I'm also incredibly thankful that all my daughter's friends who are doctors and nurses continue to be healthy during this crisis.
Are you in Nova Scotia by any chance? I'm looking at the cases per provinces. I'm in Quebec.
Yes, in Nova Scotia! Loving this province but, oh my gosh, how tragic it's been here. It's the wonderful spirit of the people that cheer us.
Those knitted animals are beautiful! Wow! Hope the business remains good for Sonia.
I am grateful for the beautiful spring weather, for being able to take walks, for audiobooks to keep me entertained during those walks. Also grateful for technology (online grocery orders! blogs to educate + inform! word games!). I am especially grateful that my family has stayed healthy.
My wife and I are still employed and most likely will be for the foreseeable future. So I guess that's a plus.
I'm thankful for a beautiful day. I'm thankful for my children (although they are bickering as I type) because they keep my days interesting; I'm never lonely. I'm thankful my husband is attentive to my needs. I'm thankful for having everything I need. I'm thankful that I have a good friend I can talk to. I'm thankful for my health (other than some arthritis in my feet). I'm thankful that, if there were an extreme famine, I'd be okay for a while because I have some extra stored energy (how's that for putting a positive spin on needing to lose a few pounds?).
I'm thankful that Kristen reminds us about the important things in life.
""if there were an extreme famine, I’d be okay for a while because I have some extra stored energy (how’s that for putting a positive spin on needing to lose a few pounds?).""
Ahah, that made me laught! I can maybe use this as an excuse to not lose the extra weight, what do you think? ;-P
I am thankful for my husband and I both being employed and able to work from home. We both got our annual raises/bonuses although mine is paying out more slowly and later than usual. We are in so much better shape than many and that is a true blessing. My 2 college kids' jobs have fallen through for the summer, and we will be able to help them out in the fall more than usual. We are also able to donate to some local causes to help others who are less fortunate under the restrictions which is another thankful item.
I am thankful for the weather here making the turn into spring.
I am thankful my youngest finished her last driving lesson the last week of February. She turns 16 in July, and we don't know if she'll be able to take the test or not, but some of her friends are more in limbo of needing to finish the lessons.
I am thankful for the libby app that allows me to keep reading library books.
I am thankful my kids have adjusted well to their online learning. My daughter has finished a very challenging freshman year in college and did a bang up job. My son has a week and a half left on his junior year in college, and he's doing great. They both would have preferred to finish out on campus, but it is an unexpected bonus for mom and dad to have them home. My youngest is finishing her sophomore year in high school. Our district decided that whatever grade they had going into e-learning was the lowest grade they could get and there will be no finals, so for my daughter who went into e-learning with all A's, this is the least stressful semester she could imagine. She's still doing the work, but all the pressure is off. I am also thankful for all of their teachers who have had to pivot and make this work. I know it hasn't been an easy transition.
I am thankful for a rainy day and cooler weather than is typical this time of year.
I am thankful that we are able to shelter-in-place without fear of running out of money and we have enough to share with neighbors and community members who need help.
I am thankful that our area has been seeing a decrease in COVID cases over the past weeks.
I am thankful for the joy of my small children and their delight in the smallest things.
I am thankful that we have a beautiful backyard (thanks to my husband) for our kids to play.
If I chose to I could dwell on how awful this year has been, but I have chosen to look at the positive aspects of life.
1. Speaking solely for myself, life has not changed very much. I retired from teaching at the beginning of this school year. Most of my days were spent at home before this craziness happened.
2. Before the schools closed, I was transporting 3 of my grandchildren to and from school. Now they are home with me during the day and my gas bill has dropped considerably.
3. My daughter has done the majority of the grocery shopping. I have seldom had to go anywhere.
4. Overall, the weather has been good. I have been able to get out to clean and do some yard work.
5. My family’s health has remained good during this time, which is a big relief.
Today I am thankful for the sunshine since it's been pretty dreary here lately. We may actually get to ride our bikes today. I'm thankful I found an affordable guy to cut my mom's grass until her house sells. I'm also thankful for the local bank branch manager who finally solved a nagging issue.
It's inspiring to read what others are thankful for and makes me feel more grateful for my own blessings. Thanks to everyone who is sharing!
I'm thankful that we are all well. I'm extra thankful that my allergy shots--which were stopped temporarily--have begun again.
I'm grateful for my neighbor's cat which continues to visit and sit patiently when I complain, head cocked to one side as if in sympathy.
Animals are the best listeners. <3
I love this!
I am thankful:
1) 6 months ago, we bought a treadmill, and it has been keeping both of us sane that we can exercise in our home!
2) Springtime! Seeing the new life of spring gives me so much hope during a challenging time.
3) My job continues to exist in its full hours and I can do all of it from home.
4) I've been so much better at keeping in touch with family via technology than usual.
What a good time to have bought home exercise equipment, right??
I am thankful for the sunshine today. I took a walk yesterday and the drizzle turned into pouring rain yet I kept walking. I knew I could change my wet shoes, socks, and pants once I returned home. It felt good to be out and get fresh air and exercise.
I am thankful for neighbors to share plants with. We received a large hosta yesterday, placed on our patio. I dropped off chive today, placed on their porch. There is also an avid gardener in our neighborhood that leaves extra hostas at the curb with a sign indicating what she is giving away. We have nabbed a few, for both ourselves and our neighbor that loves to plant things.
I'm thankful that I can support my local yoga studio, the owner and the teachers by keeping my monthly membership and streaming classes via Zoom.
I am thankful for Zoom, security issues or not. I use it to connect with friends virtually, yesterday I used it to talk to my mom and a couple siblings. Mom is in nursing care and no one can visit her (COVID-19 restrictions).
I am grateful a friend dropped off potted tulips for me yesterday. She left them on the porch and we talked from a distance.
I am grateful that I can get groceries at Sam's Club without going in the store. I'm over 60 so use the Concierge Service. While it would not be my first choice for many groceries it is close to home, they usually have just about everything I ask for, and they now allow tipping of the employees that shop for you.
I am grateful for my husband. He would do anything for me and he knows when I need a change of scenery. Usually that involves a walk, occasionally it involves a short drive.
I am grateful for our good health and the fact that we do not have to go out.
Just spoke with my sister who has MS. She took a tough fall 2 weeks ago and cracked 3 ribs and hurt her shoulder. She is finally starting to feel better and we had a good laugh on the phone. Still going to send her a box of sunshine (a care package with a lot of yellow stuff to make you smile!).
Spoke with my brother yesterday, and my mom who is in a nursing home in NY, was transferred to the non-covid ward. She was in the ward that had patients even tho she kept testing negative. A bit of relief for everyone.
And my husband and I are continuing to work. And his family is all OK as well.
Oh, I am so glad your mom does not have COVID. Whew!
1) Being home has meant that I've noticed and photographed many of my plants as they've bloomed this spring. Usually, I'm so busy that I rush right by them.
2) I've been walking every day (sometimes twice), eating better, and have lost a few pounds. Plus, with no commute (working at home) I've gotten more sleep.
3) My son has done well with online college--and in a few weeks will be halfway to getting his bachelors degree.
4) We've been trying a lot of new recipes while we're at home--and my husband and son have gotten in on the action, cooking some interesting meals.
5) Not being able to go anywhere means we've been able to save a little money, which will hopefully be put toward some home improvements and travel once the pandemic ends.
I'm super thankful for our small town — with about 75 percent of the things we need on a regular basis, we just don't really have to go anywhere else very often. (I concede that this is really no different from, say, last November. Ha.) I'm super thankful that school for most students (as far as I know, including mine) will be out tomorrow. I'm super thankful that my income doesn't hinge on leaving the house to work at a place because that has simplified everything. I'm super thankful that three of my kids can mow so I don't have to. I'm super thankful for books.
I'm so thankful that my office kept going, albeit from home for a while, and the paychecks kept coming. I pray for those who can't say that.
I'm thankful that my husband's continuous glucose monitor will also sync with his iphone, since the receiver on which he usually reads his glucose levels has quit charging (I'm calling the company today to see what we can do). He can just look at his phone to check his glucose level, instead of pricking his fingers all day long and using his old glucose meter and strips.
I'm thankful we have a bit of cool weather coming! We've had an overly warm spring here in North Florida.
I'm thankful we only have 3 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in our county.
I'm grateful that my 91 year old uncle and his 90 year old wife are safe in their assisted living apartment, and even have the option of walking the grounds during the day, which they love to do. They are in wonderful shape. I'm also thankful that my 100-years-old-next-week uncle, in a different assisted living home, is doing very well physically, although he is having memory issues. We are having a virtual party for him next week.
I'm happy that my four year old granddaughter talked to me on her mom's phone. I get to see her and her siblings, from a safe distance, about once a week.
I'm grateful to be celebrating 41 years of marriage next week, although it will be a quiet celebration, of course.
1. My daughter finished third grade Saxon math yesterday. I'm not sure who's more relieved. Her or me. She has definitely inherited my dislike of math. As an adult I've grown to appreciate math and its wonders. As a child, I hated it.
2. Our church is having an outdoor, stay-in-your-car short service this evening to take communion as a congregation, which will be nice.
3. I finally ordered some reusable masks from two Etsy sellers for myself and my girls, and I'm surprised they were so readily available.
4. I cleaned out my dining room hutch, which hadn't been organized since we moved here two years ago.
5. My husband and I finally purged our bins of books and kept only two, which we will now put in the bookshelves in our study.
6. We devised a simple way of displaying kids' artwork in our study, so it isn't taking over the refrigerator all the time.
7. Our bird feeders are attracting so many birds and the kids and I adore watching them and identifying them.
8. My 5 year old is finally starting to seem like she's okay with going to kindergarten study center next year, instead of insisting she's never going. /
9. My sister is giving me back all the maternity and baby clothes I gave her, now that baby4 is halfway here.
10. Now that the quarantine is being lifted a bit, I can get my two year old set up with speech therapy for her speech delay.
I've been enjoying your posts a great deal, Kristen!
- I’ve had the ability to go on walks more consistently than I have in years. I also get to see neighbors out doing the same thing, which is really nice.
- My state recently lifted its stay-at-home order, so my kids are able to go for bike rides and walks with their friends now. (Note to self – friends are even more important to my teenage kids than I'd thought!)
- I’m getting into nooks and crannies in my house that hadn’t been cleared or cleaned out in ages. I’m going through bookshelves, bureau drawers, my pantry, freezers, etc. It feels great to get the stuff that was lurking around the back of those things either cleaned and put back, put in the donate bag, or eaten.
- I’ve had time to work on my stack of old papers (my nemesis), and scanning my parents’ old pictures. Both of those projects usually go for long periods of time without any attention.
- It’s nice to be able to go to bed whenever I want, without spending a big chunk of my evenings getting things ready for school and work the next morning.
I have never been more thankful for the end of a school year. Next week is the last week I have to get my very reluctant kids on Zoom meetings. Alllll the thanks for that.
(For those of you in the east--where I have terrible memories of the school year dragging on interminably into June--I am so, so sorry.)
This is a great reminder! I, too, tend to forget the forest for the weeds, so to speak, and I always have lots to be grateful for.
1. My new journaling Bible-found on sale and exactly what I was looking for!
2. Our youngest son was offered an RA position at his college, which will save us nearly $25,000 in tuition next year. We are so grateful and proud of all his hard work in getting the position.
3. Our oldest daughter's October wedding is looking good--there have been days where we were not certain and many tears have been shed but it looks like it will happen when planned.
4. Same youngest son is leaving for an out-of-state internship next week. First, I'm thankful he is still able to complete the internship as it's a requirement for his degree. Second, I'm thankful for these "bonus"6 weeks with him, time we wouldn't have had if the year had gone "normally".
5. Our second daughter works in a retirement community in Maryland, where many retirement communities have been VERY hard hit with the virus. God has protected her and their residents--they've only had 2 cases, which were at the very beginning of the outbreak. We are grateful for her health and safety and that she has been able to continue working. She is an event planner there and, obviously, they aren't having any events. But they have been gracious to find lots of other things for her to do so she can still work. I'm also thankful that she has been willing and able to work through all of this!
6. We lead a small group of young married couples at our church and, although it's been tough, we have managed to stay fairly well-connected during this time apart. We have one new couple who had only met with our group for one week before all this started, but they have joined our Zoom meetings and seem to be fitting right in, in spite of the distance. We are grateful for each of these couples and the opportunity we have to pass along some of "wisdom", gained after God's gracious gift of 32 years of marriage.
7. My husband leads worship at our church and last week, he was able to record in our home! It's not been easy navigating all the technology, etc., but our church leadership has done a great job, and it was great for Jeff to be able to contribute in this way from our home.
8. I'm grateful for this blog! Thank you for blogging (slogging?) through this time with us and posting and remaining upbeat and positive. You're one of my favorites and have been for MANY year. God bless!
I am thankful our employers are still paying us while I am still working full time from home. They are paying all our employees where I work regardless if they are working or not and we have a lot of employees.
I am thankful I have found online communities such as this one to keep me conscious of the good in the world and the hope for better times. Thank you all!
I am thankful my husband and I, without even talking about it, have accepted each other's momentary frustrations and worked to help each other out. (I found yeast for him, online at The Prepared Pantry; he insists we get restaurant not-fast food take out today for the first time in nine weeks).
I am thankful my son on the autism spectrum has adapted almost too well to self-quarantine, and that we have summer ahead of us to find ways to reintroduce him to people.
I am thankful for the many many big trees in our yard and neighborhood. I love the light and shade, the leaves, the wind sounds, the birds, and even the squirrels that rely on them. And I am understanding, even if not especially thankful, that the city is in the process of cutting down an enormous ash tree even as I write. Presumably, it is diseased, though it doesn't look it.
I am thankful for our health and for those who feel called to look after us in so many ways.
I am a health care worker, and like many others in similar positions, I haven't been working much. Yesterday I was called in to work and was grateful for the opportunity to see patients and to talk with my coworkers.
I'm also thankful for living in an area with lots of state and county parks. Hiking has been a sanity saver. . A friend sent me an e-gift card for Biggby coffee and I was able to treat my kids and myself this morning to a drive through treat.
Hi there,
Sonia’s knitted animals are utterly precious!! No wonder they sold out so quickly. I’ll be checking those out. 🙂
* I’m thankful to be home, staying safe and staying healthy.
* I’m very thankful for food in my belly, and that we have enough to be ok for a while.
* I’m thankful that all of my family members are healthy right now. (And my heart is saddened for all of those impacted by the Coronavirus.)
Thanks for a beautiful post.
After a few years of poor health I am super thankful to be strong enough to take care of my grandson (2 yr old) while his parents have to work.
My garden - it is such a gift. A place of peace, a stress reliever & just so beautiful right now.
Thankful that my family is working.
I'm thankful that my husband, two boys 18 and 20, and I are healthy.
I'm also thankful that all of us are still working.
My elderly parents and in laws are healthy, too.
I am really enjoying reading everyone's thankful items! They bring a smile to my face. 🙂 For me...
I'm thankful for the beautiful college campus down the street. Even though there are no students, the grounds are still beautiful and they still planted some (not all, understandably) of the many pink flowers they normally plant this time of year. I love getting to walk through the campus.
I'm thankful for the safety and financial provision of my husband working from home.
I'm thankful that I get to talk a walk BY MYSELF everyday on my husband's lunch break.
I'm thankful that I'm actually enjoying my oldest kid's at-home kindergarten work. It's been fun to see what she gets excited about, how much she actually loves learning, and get to see the teaching videos from her teacher. I've known that my daughter loves her teacher and that she's great and now I get to see some of it for myself.
I'm thankful for how well our church leaders and volunteers are loving and serving us from afar. We get preschool teaching, elementary teaching, and adult teaching every week. They dropped off a gift bag full of goodies last week. They do zoom meetings with my kids' classes (even the preschoolers). Their care is deeply felt.
I'm thankful that my kids (and I) are really enjoying simple things like blowing bubbles, playing in the backyard, and riding bikes.
I'm thankful that my kids have a long tolerance for being read to. Even my 1yo will sit for 20 minutes or more. I love children's books and am thankful that we were able to stock up from the library before the shutdown.
I am so thankful that three of the four of us are employed and we are all still healthy. I am going into my seventh month of job hunting and am thinking that it may simply not be meant to be at this time. We manage okay by living very, very frugally, and not working outside the home has freed me up to take care of a lot of things around the house that we were too tired to manage while we were both working.
I love reading these. I also tried to make a list. I discovered that my cup runneth over. There is just so much to be thankful for. Thank you for reminding me that I am truly blessed. Wishing all of you good health and peace.
I am really thankful to have been surrounded by nature in the last few weeks since we've been completely home bound. I have tried to be even more cognizant than normal of how the spring is progressing, and to be appreciative of all the beauty around me. This spring, we also have a lot of fun animal activity around us. A pair of cardinals made their nest in a bush right outside our window, and it's been a thrill to observe the little baby chicks. We also have two young rabbits frolicking in the yard.
I'm also really thankful to have more work than I had planned for, and that my husband is managing home duties while I'm working extra.
Last, I'm thankful that although my kids have missed out on many activities this spring, they are managing and even finding new opportunities. For instance, my older son connected with a professional musician to give him lessons in cello over Zoom. My younger children are playing way too much video games, but they have started to learn some programming to design their own games.
I need this today!!!
* I am grateful that when working with possible Covid patients, myself and my collegues are all still (seemingly) well. Anf I am grateful that all the people that I love are healthy/not affected by Covid
* I am grateful that elementary schools are reopening (volontary) next monday after a 2 months closure. My girls need the social and the sense of normalcy
* I am grateful to still have a job in this economy and that my husband also still have a job, and that he is able to work from home so it helps (a lot!!) with the kids. And that we make good salary.
* I am beyond grateful to have a house and a backyard, and not be stuck in an appartment right now
* I am grateful to be living with people, to not be alone at home
* I am so grateful that I got to buy a bunch of books at the thrift store 2 months ago, just before everything closed down. Don't talk to me about numeric books, yuck. I NEED real books in my life!!
I am thankful for:
1. A husband with a lovely singing voice who frequently wakes me up by singing me a love song, even after being married to me for 37 years! (And I am not easy to live with!!)
2. A large greenhouse and unusually warm temperatures so I can start setting my tomato and cucumber transplants in there about two weeks early.
3. That my library is still allowing folks to check out books. You send them an email with what you want and they email back a date you can pull into their driveway and get handed a bag of books.
4. That our animal shelter dog is so loving and non-destructive. The only weird thing he has done is that he likes to suck on the toes of a six foot stuffed gorilla we keep sitting in a chair in the living room. He appears to be doing this when he gets bored in the middle of the night, so this morning we moved the gorilla. (It was a gift from my husband when I was so ill, so I treasure it.)
5. The mosquitoes are not out yet, so it is possible to sit in the backyard and not be slapping yourself or each other constantly.
I am 100% envious of your #3.
I was bumbling along ok, although chronic illnesses playing up, but last night I lost a filling and can't get a replacement and it's my birthday next week so I'm really down now. I will follow your lead though and see if it helps...
I am grateful for my salary, for the sun that will be shining this weekend, we have choices of food and painkillers
Aww, happy early birthday to you! You and Lisey and I will have all had pandemic birthdays by then. <3
Next year will surely be a better birthday (at least, that is what I told myself!)
I am grateful for my plants, my friends and family's health, and for the support from our community that keeps us fed.
I'm thankful for:
- our truck running well
- water
- progress in homeschooling
- reading in the Bible Luke 12:13-34. What a comforting reminder to me that I don't need to worry. My kids agreed with me that I worry a lot, but thankful for these comforting words Jesus said.
Thank you Jesus for....
1. A cut, color and blow dry today at home.
2. I received three bottles of sanitizer today.
3. Pizza and salad so no cooking.
4. A walk in 70 degree weather!
5. My son and his wife are expecting a baby girl in October. I have two grandsons so a girl is such a blessing!
That last one is not a small blessing. It's great big, ginormous/gigantic!!!
I love this post. I don't usually keep a gratitude journal, but I have also been keeping a "thankful list" on the whiteboard that has become my command center in the kitchen. I make a note whenever something during the day brings me joy. Then I can read it over when I want to pull my hair out or cry in the corner. Here is my list from today:
1) A morning hour where we were all busy at the dining room table. I am a historian, and I work best in quiet and solitude. Suddenly homeschooling four kids ages 9, 6, 4, and 12 months is exactly the opposite. But. For a few minutes this morning I looked up and realized that we were all happily and quietly engaged around the table. The baby was asleep in his room. The nine year old was on his morning classroom Zoom. The seven year old was building a farm out of duplos and play doh. Even the four year old was wrist deep in her play doh. I was cutting and pinning a sewing project. It was bliss.
2) The sunshine. Is it just me or is this spring super cold? It was too cold today for May in Virginia, but the sun was warm.
3) A moment when I looked out the kitchen window and saw all four kids playing together happily. Usually one of them is taking a thing from another or another is trying to stop one from attempting to get in on the game they are playing. But when I looked out the window the three big siblings were clapping in time to the great pleasure of the baby who was joining in their clapping. Is there anything better in the world than seeing your kids happily playing together? 🙂
4) The meeting went well. My husband and I run a graphic design studio. Business slowed in March and April, but we have not run out of work, and we think we might be starting to get busy again. My husband gave a presentation that went really well. It feels like a harbinger that maybe we can survive the coming (current?) recession.
Praise God.
Yes, my goodness it has been a chilly spring here on the middle east coast. Our high is in the 50s on Saturday, and the highest high in the whole 15 day forecast is only mid 70s.
Such unusual weather for May!
We have a free swap FB group! Finally, a local group where you can receive free items, and post items to pass along. It is a FB group and it has been fun to receive and share. I’ve redecorates my house, refurbished areas, and passed along some unwanted items.
Weather is nice so sometime walk or bike to pick up items 🙂
1. Running hot water.
Seriously. Do you realize how many things have to work to have running hot water? It's practically a miracle: safe pipes (not lead), potable water, running water, electricity for the pumps, fuel for the heat, ... The list goes on and on. It's not even expensive.
2. That my job and my paycheck is secure.
3. Having a backyard so I can get fresh air and sunshine while remaining safe.
4. I was never in danger of running out of TP, PT, or whatever there's a shortage of this week, because of my habit of stocking up when it's cheap.
5. Being able to roll out of bed and start working immediately. I get ready for the day later, on my "coffee break."
6. That the big paper project is sorta-kinda done and - more importantly - out of the library/office. It would have been highly stressful for me to work amidst all that chaos. As it is, I look at my handsome bookshelves full of books that are organized properly and neatly arranged (no more double-stacking!), and by god does it feel serene.
7. That I had a friend/interior decorator over to move some decor, literally a week before this whole mess hit my area. That was the last step in a minor reorg that took over a year to complete.
8. That my decision to get a game console for Christmas - my first - means I can exercise during lock-down.
9. My dog. WFH and being shut in is a great time to have a dog.
10. That the local FedEx deliverer is comfortable enough with us, that he grabbed some snacks from my "Deliverers' Snack Box" even though he didn't have a delivery for us todya.
11. That public servants are still serving. Our trash and recycling get picked up just as always.
12. I stumbled upon a local bookstore that will open by appointment to one small group at a time. New books!!!!!!!