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.
WilliamB
Thursday 7th of May 2020
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.
WilliamB
Saturday 9th of May 2020
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!!!!!!!
WilliamB
Friday 8th of May 2020
9. My dog. WFH and being shut in is a great time to have a dog.
Ingrid
Thursday 7th of May 2020
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 :)
Amanda
Thursday 7th of May 2020
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.
Kristen
Thursday 7th of May 2020
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!
Maria
Thursday 7th of May 2020
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!
Tamara
Friday 8th of May 2020
That last one is not a small blessing. It's great big, ginormous/gigantic!!!
Katy in Africa
Thursday 7th of May 2020
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.