Today happens to be the last day of 2020!
We’ve been doing Thankful Thursdays for a while now, and I have pondered the idea of stopping in 2021.
But I’ve mostly been doing them because of the pandemic, and that particular situation is not going to instantly go away once we flip our calendars over to a new year.
(We wish!)
Also, those of us in the northern hemisphere are about to enter January and February, which are arguably the least cheerful weather months of the year for us.
So, unless there are large objections from you all, I’m prone to keeping Thankful Thursdays going for now.
This week, I am thankful:
for all my Third Day Naturals soap
I did the giveaway post for Sarah and her husband just because I wanted to support their shop and also bless one of you with a prize, but Sarah sent me a box full of soap as a thank you.
Now I have so much bar soap and I feel quite rich. Yay!
that we were able to get a new toilet
Let’s be real: I am not thankful that our old one developed a mysterious crack, but I AM thankful that we were able to get a new one pretty quickly and that Mr. FG was able to install it.
And I am thankful that so far, nothing else has broken in this house.
that my yearly gyn checkup is over
Got that done yesterday; don’t have to do it again for a year. 
that medical personnel are getting vaccines
My gyn told me she was due to get hers that night. And her pediatric anesthesiologist husband had already had his.
I know the vaccine distribution is probably going to be slower than we might hope, but I am thankful that people in medicine are getting theirs.
One step closer to the end of the pandemic!
for the promise this year holds
I know nothing is certain until it happens, but I do feel reasonably confident that at some point this year, life is going to get much more normal again.
for the way that deprivation breeds appreciation
You know how we took so many things for granted before the pandemic?
I think we are all going to have so much more appreciation for those things when we do finally get them back.
It’s sort of like how when you haven’t had watermelon all winter long, that first summer bite tastes so good!
that I can control me (even tho I can’t control the world!)
I’m having trouble putting this thought into words, but I’m going to try.
Sometimes, I think, “Well, I can only control me. That’s not much.”
But lately I have been thinking of it in a more empowering way. Basically, since I can choose my attitudes and reactions and responses, I have a fair amount of control over how I move through life.
If I focus on problems outside of my control, then I feel helpless.
But if I focus on what is IN my control, I feel much less helpless.
Maybe I used to think that this would make my sphere of influence seem rather small, but as it turns out, I have a whole lot of stuff I need to work on even while staying in the “things under my control” lane.
I’ll add this: I think our news-heavy world tempts us to focus on things outside of our control, when our energy would be better spent on things we actually can control and influence.
Ugh. I still feel like I did a terrible job of communicating what I’m feeling here, but I’m going to leave it in this post anyway.
for the way a new year feels fresh
I know that the switch from December 31st to January 1st is truly no different than the switch from December 30th to December 31st.
But somehow, it does feel fresh and new, and I’m thankful for that.
What are you thankful for today?
P.S. I am also grateful that it is sunny outside my window right now. I feel a little sheepish putting that on my list again because I do it so often. So I’m putting it in a P.S.
Rose says
I thought you worded that one section beautifully!
Ruth T says
I’m thankful for a really good visit with part of my family that we hadn’t been able to see for 2 years. I got to meet my little nephew (he’s so smiley and adorable!!) and my kids got to play with their cousins. They only have 2 cousins and will probably only ever have 2, so it was a real treat for them to all play together.
I’m thankful that I live in more of a rural area. I know there are lots of good things about cities, but I’m a country girl and enjoy space. I’m thankful that God has allowed us to live where we do.
I’m thankful that I can look back at 2020 without feeling awful about it. I know that many have experienced horrible losses, but my losses were all exterior things (routines, socialization, fitness – well, that last one isn’t exactly an exterior thing) and I’m thankful that this time with my kids has still been great and joy-filled.
Dianna says
I totally get what you are saying about focusing on what we can do. Sometimes, I stop reading any news for a day or two so that I can stop hearing all of the negative. I strive to focus on all that is good in my life and in the world. That helps me to see those things that I can do to make a positive change. Thank you for sharing!
karen says
I am thankful for BIG THINGS
Husband, healthy family, everyone still working
these are the things I do not want to take for granted covid or no covid
I am thankful for SMALL THINGS
books, puzzles, coffee, my yard to work in
these are the day to day things that keep me sane
Becca says
My family has been irritating me today, but I guess I’m grateful that they are around to irritate me and that I’m around to be irritated. That’s something, right?
Karen I Kolb says
This cracked me up and totally summed up my thoughts of the last two weeks!!!!
Debbie T says
I have been thinking a lot about something I heard on ShineFM… we must look for the good in the midst of the bad … Christianity isn’t about absence of trials/issues/disappointments, it’s about the presence of peace. That peace comes from God. No one can take that peace from us.
Our first grandchild was born in 2020! We are very thankful for that. We are thankful for a roof over our heads, for the clothing on our backs, for the food in our bellies, for our jobs, for our health… for the gift of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Happy and blessed New Year to you and your beautiful family!
Bobi says
Thankful that even though 2020 hasn’t been a great year, it hasn’t been the worst for me personally. It has definitely been a difficult year for all of us collectively and for that, I am very sad and hope that 2021 will be kinder to everyone!
Julie says
It’s been a year, that’s for sure! But there have been many bright spots for us along the way:
– a new hip for the hubs! This leads to many other thankful things: thankful he’s not in pain biking or golfing, that he can actually ski again, and that we’ve been through that experience and know what to expect if we have to go through it again with the other one.
– WORK. I help small businesses in our area with their digital marketing and I work freelance. I am so grateful that almost all of my clients have essential businesses, or work in an industry like real estate that was able to keep going even during a pandemic. Having that purpose and routine of getting up and working every day kept things feeling normal.
– Grateful for biking and golf and for living in an area with LOTS of dry sunny days. We were able to keep biking and golfing for the entire year, and we were lucky enough to be able to go camping at one of our favorite spots several times too.
– For our sweet kitties who keep us entertained
– For the amazing plethora of shows on Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix
– For cooking skills and an abundance of recipes at my fingertips
– For our “bubble” friends!
– For sunny days for apres ski tailgating
– For a new year with lots of anticipation for great things!
– For my own health and the fact that (other than the hip) we’ve both stayed super healthy this year. Now I must go find some wood to knock on!
Bee says
I hope that you will occasionally write a Thankful Thursday post from time to time even after this sad, dark winter is over. These posts are so uplifting and filled with little pearls of wisdom.
Although my heart is heavy, I am thankful for so much. I know that my list does not vary much from week to week, but these are the things that sustain me…
* I am grateful for my dear husband.
* I am so thankful for my rescue pup that came to live with me this September.
* I treasure my friends whose company I enjoy so much
* I am grateful for my sons. I have been blessed to watch them grow into strong, loving young men
* I am thankful for my little home near the sea. I walk down often to enjoy the power and the beauty of the ocean
* I am so blessed to have made it through the year in one piece physically, financially, and mentally. I hope that the future will be brighter. Happy New year !
Lindsey says
1. Thankful for a year of not having an ER visit. Given that one year I had over 60 visits, often via ambulance, this is a monumental accomplishment.
2. Thankful for the husband.
3. Thankful for our cozy little house, which would not win any awards for beauty but which serves us well.
4. Thankful that I had a father and grandmother who loved to cook and bake, and passed those skills on to me.
5. Thankful for the library, which found a work around during the pandemic so that there were only a few weeks when we were not able to reserve books and pick them up in the parking lot.
Kristen says
What a wonderful year to skip the ER!
Battra92 says
To borrow and update some lines from George Templeton Strong:
“Poor old 2020 just going. It has been a gloomy year of trouble and disaster. I should be glad of its departure, were in not that 2021 is likely to be no better. But we must take what is coming. Only through much tribulation can a young people attain healthy, vigorous national life.”
I guess there are some things to be thankful for so this is what I can come up with:
1.) Outside of a summer cold for a day or so and a little food poisoning I’ve not been sick all year.
2.) That I’ve been working in the office steadily and still have employment. I’ve also not had to deal with some of the more annoying people in the company since the Spring as they are now working from home.
3.) I get a three day weekend from work.
4.) I got to watch It’s a Wonderful Life again recently. What a great film that is! Modern films are such degenerate trash now so I am content to live in the past with regards to entertainment.
5.) That since I’ve never been invited out for New Year’s Eve, I’m not missing anything this year.
mary says
I agree that much contemporary entertainment is, as you so elegantly phrased it, “degenerate trash.” Thanks for the smile on that one.
Angie says
Degenerate trash…well said!!
Jean says
Thankful for your trial and error and recommendations for what worked best. This past year I have baked more bread and find it very satisfying. Today I utilized the no knead recipe. It looks good.
Thankful for our health. Almost 2 years ago my husband ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. It was complicated by his COPD. Over this past pandemic year he has been well, not a sniffle. I am sure it has to do with the fact that we have a very small circle of association.
And everyone else in the household has been well. We have a safe, secure roof, heat, food.
Thankful that I am able to associate with my daughters, SILs and grandchildren. And because they are careful, they have safe homes and enough food.
Thankful that we have people in our country and freedom for them to carry out research. There has been so much innovation created from need and the freedom to do such.
Happy and health 2021 for all.
A. Marie says
Kristen: Yes, please DO continue with TT’s in 2021. I’m among the many who can use the continuing exercise of the thankful muscles. On this New Year’s Eve like no other, I’m grateful for the following:
First and foremost, the love and support of our wonderful neighbors and friends. I’ve been reminded afresh over the holidays of what a blessing they are.
Second, DH’s and my continued good physical health overall. Two friends have now had COVID and one has died from it, and several other friends have cancer, so I don’t take our own health for granted for a second.
Third, the fact that our routines were already pretty quiet, so we haven’t suffered as much life disruption from COVID as I know many others have. I feel for all you guys.
And finally, the fact that we’re getting 2020 chronologically and psychologically off the books at midnight tonight. Best wishes to us all for a better 2021.
MB in MN says
A. Marie: I’m glad to see your comments as I’ve missed “seeing” you over on the NCA. You and your husband are often in my thoughts. I’m very sorry to hear of your friends’ illnesses. Wishing you and everyone a hopeful, healthy and happy 2021.
Reese says
I needed this today. Sometimes anxiety will just grip me, and I’ll feel completely overwhelmed with the negative. I’ll feel like I’m just drowning in unhappiness and that feeling of not being good enough… shaking it off and being thankful!
1. That we get to celebrate Christmas with my husband’s kiddos tonight. They are a senior and junior in high school. We won’t get this much longer. While we weren’t able to have them for Christmas this year, having them for New Year’s Day seems almost better.
2. That my 1-year-old son is healthy, a learning machine, and when I hold him will place his head on my shoulder and literally melt my heart into a big fat love puddle.
3. That the $600 stimulus checks will help us. I lost my job earlier this year, and while I’ve since gotten a new one, we depleted our savings, and we have a few small things we need to buy to better insulate our house and garage for winter (it’s in the negatives here in Wyoming! Eeek!). It may not be $2,000… but I’m seriously grateful for this smaller amount.
4. That my husband is off for the next three days. He’s a nurse, working mostly with COVID patients in the ICU. He has mandatory overtime AND works evenings. I’ve never felt like I’m raising a kid, cleaning a house, and living on my own more than now. This is the longest stretch he’s had off in a row in many months. I am SO HAPPY to spend this time with him!
5. That I was blessed with an opportunity for freelance marketing and graphics work today. From someone I haven’t spoken to since I lost my job in May. She sought me out and she happens to be the mayor of our town! I’m speechless and honored that she remembered the work I did, even though I’m no longer there.
6. Bonus one: That my online corgi lovers group wanted to do a christmas card exchange. I have nearly 75 corgis in holiday gear hanging on my walls and fridge and it makes me darn happy to see it every day <3 (And more are coming in the mail since USPS is a bit delayed, which is A-Okay with me! Corgis are so much better than bills!!)
Bobi says
Oh, I wish you could share all those corgi pics! Seeing them would be a real day brightener
Kaitlin says
Living Away From Home Thankfulness:
1. I’m thankful for the opportunity to travel to such excellent medical care for son.
2. Family living in the area that allowed us to stay with them for 9+ weeks.
3. Ability to see family I rarely get to see (including meeting a new niece!)
4. Snow enough for sledding and snowmen at this Northern (compared to home) location (never have gotten that at home)
5. Going home to house and husband after 9 weeks of living away.
WilliamB says
If you’re still thankful for it, in this case the sunshine, then keep it on the list. For how many months did I have job/food/backyard/dog/space?
FOR EVERYONE ASSOCIATED WITH VAX WORK.
* For the Chinese government, which released the virus’ genome less than a month after the first hospitalization and literally before the first death was announced.
* For the researchers who had been working on mRNA research for the past decade, which is the basis for many of the covid vaxs.
* For the current researchers, many who worked two jobs at once (their regular research as well as covid vax work) to get the vax research done.
* For the drug companies for making it their top priority.
* For the researchers and companies sharing information much more than usual, so *something* would be successful quickest.
* For the trial subjects for hundreds of thousands joining the trials, even with the risk.
* For the governmental drug review advisors and board members, for doing their job carefully but immediately and overtime as necessary.
* For all the governments who helped guarantee markets for each and every successful vax.
* And for everyone who is in the process of helping get serum into arms.
Not everyone involved did it for altruistic reasons, which bothers some but I have no problems with. They got it done and continue to get it done.
Kristen says
True, true. A vaccine that saves people’s lives is a vaccine that saves people’s lives, regardless of developer motives.
Lindsey says
I wish I could like this post with the little thumbs up!
Stephanie says
Thankful that I had the time to spend three hours on the phone to get a part for our broken couch for free that was under warranty. HUSBAND FIXED COUCH TODAY
Thankful 2020 is almost over.
Thankful for my cozy warm home.
Thankful for chair yoga because on the floor yoga is making me dizzy.
Happy New Year
kristin @ going country says
Today I am overwhelmingly thankful that my husband brought all four kids with him to get hay. It’s a 180-mile roundtrip, so it takes awhile, and he was also planning on stopping at an arboretum to let them play. He knows that time alone in my home is the biggest treat for me, so he sometimes does this.
Kristen says
Ohhhhh, what a nice gift! Yes, time at your house all by yourself is the greatest gift for some of us. Going away is all right, but ooh, being at HOME by yourself is ultimate.
Angie says
Happy New Year to you & your family Kristen – thank you for this space and your ongoing posts…they are a joy every week!
Thankful for…
1. The fact that Jan 5th is just around the corner and the incessant political mailers, texts, phone calls will soon be done as the GA Runoff Election will be completed. I know that elections are important but enough is enough. Much like COVid, I am done with politics this year.
2. I am grateful for the health of my family, our jobs, full pantries, working automobiles, health insurance & overall well being. This year has been such a hard year for so many families around the world and I have not forgotten just how fortunate we are.
3. Even though the end of the year has been crazy busy, I am grateful for a few days off for the New Year to put away decorations, clean, & organize. I love the fresh start feeling of a new year.
4. For the resources, knowledge, and access to healthy food and outdoor exercise that will help me say goodbye to the Quarantine pounds I have put on. Ready for a clean slate over here.
5. I know may things will be the same when we roll to 2021, at least for a while, but I am so glad to put 2020 behind us. I have hope as we celebrated the birth of our Savior, that we will come through this time together. Even in our struggle this year, I am grateful for the focus on family and all the things that are truly important. COVid has certainly put a spotlight on this.
Happy New Year Everyone!!
Bobi says
I think I’m thankful I don’t live in Georgia!
Karen says
Kristen, Keep this going! It is something positive put out into the universe and we need that, so thank you for your efforts putting this out every week. I know I look forward to searching for the things I’m grateful for, an important exercise. I think you said it well, our own responses and attitudes are a part of living, focussing on that kind of mindfulness works for me as well.
So I’m grateful for the littlest things today, this moment, for coffee, for internet, for grocery stores nearby and the folks that work there. For the kindness of neighbors and the good and bad times that make my marriage what it is today. For a warm house and a freezer full of little appetizers to ring in the new year! We may be saying goodbye to 2020 but the lessons learned have shaped us all irrevocably, hopefully for the better as a society.
Happy New Year!
Annie says
As we say good bye to 2020 we are thankful for:
1. Being able to splurge a little bit to buy cocktail size shrimp and good cheese for our New Year’s Eve dinner tonight.
2. We are still healthy and I am still employed.
3. We have what we need to survive and live a simple and happy life.
4. We can share with others.
5 My husband donated to support an education-related cause in my late mother’s memory as a Christmas gift to me. Education was something my mother believed wholeheartedly in and the reason she became a college professor.
Madeline Kasian says
I am thankful that my family has managed to stay healthy and have a roof over our heads, and food in the pantry,during all of 2020.
I am thankful for the vaccine which is going to help us put Covid in the rear view mirror.
I am thankful for a good,solid, attentive husband who has become an ever BETETR friend during this isolation– if that is possible– we truly appreciate each other even more..
I am thankful my grown son has been able to work from home in 2020,avoiding being exposed to too many people during this pandemic.
I am grateful for the promise of the future.. it may be different, but I believe we will rise to the occasion!!
Kris says
Thankful that I just got my first covid vaccine shot! It’s been a challenging year for health care and I am hopeful for positive changes.
Heidi Louise says
I am thankful for the many gifts of my parents and in-laws. (My dad died this summer and my mother-in-law this week, the other two some years ago).
When my husband and I got engaged, I was invited to his brother’s wedding the summer before ours. My father-in-law-to-be insistently motioned me to stand with them all in the family photo, that even though I wouldn’t technically join the family for another year. That gesture of inclusiveness meant a great deal to me.
My mother-in-law was a delight to all and is sorely missed.
My mother stressed reading and thinking in ways that made me who I am.
My father was a role model of integrity and hard work.
I have been loved much, and much blessed.
Happy new year to all!
Lindsey says
What a nice tribute to your parents and parents-in-law.
MB in MN says
Well said, all the way through! I am thankful for you and the community you provide all of us.
Bobi says
Amen!
Kristen says
Aww, thank you! I am grateful for all of you too.
Kim from Philadelphia says
Kristen, I’m thankful for you and this wonderful blog!
Your intelligence, common sense, kindness, and humor have been a happy place for me to check on several times a week for a large chunk of years now!
Hoping 2021 is a good year for us all!
Kim
Jennifer says
That I can control me!! Yes, this!! I have told my kids for years “I don’t care about them, I only care about you”. Same thing, I’ll focus on me and mine and make that better. It makes me feel empowered and more positive and may even rub off on someone else in some small way.
This year has highlighted my Pollyanna attitude. I can always find something positive and it drives my family nuts. My latest is finding things that will be better in the science/medical fields because of COVID. I can only imagine the medicines and maybe even cures for other things that will have been developed in search of a COVID vaccine.