Thankful Thursday | on Christmas Eve
New here? Thankful Thursday is something we’ve been doing in these COVID times; a (frugal and free) exercise to help us hunt for the good that is in our lives and in the world, even in the midst of a pandemic.
It's Christmas Eve today.
And maybe that seems like an odd day to do a thankfulness exercise. Like, it's Christmas Eve! Wouldn't we all be feeling pretty naturally happy today?
But...it IS 2020, still, which means this Christmas season has not quite been the usual.
So, I thought we could still probably use the practice.
Today, I am thankful:
that my new dishwasher is supposed to arrive today
I am really thankful for that!
I can be content without a dishwasher, but I will still be super happy to have a functioning one again.
that Mr. FG was able to get a new shower head yesterday
The little spray heads/nozzles on ours were made of some kind of plasticky rubber, and several of them gave up the ghost and started spraying water in very random directions.
This was not a fixable problem, so he picked up a new one, and it's nice to have all the water heading in the same direction now!
that our water heater is working
It has felt like a lot of things have been breaking at our house lately, and that is making me extra thankful for things that ARE working, such as our water heater.
A broken dishwasher isn't too bad to live without, but no hot water? That would be terrible in the winter.
for all the smart people who have worked on the vaccine
I wouldn't have the faintest idea about how to make something to stop this virus, and I am very thankful for the people out there who are smarter than me.
for the teensy bit of extra daylight we are getting now
The internet tells me it's mere seconds of improvement every day at this point, but I am still counting it as something to be thankful for.
for friends who check in on me
I have been in friendships where it was mainly me doing all the checking in on the other person, and so I can seriously appreciate a friendship where there is give and take on both sides.
for people who encourage me
This week, several people have written to me to tell me how my work here on this blog has helped them, and man, that always makes me so happy. I really think that being able to help people is one of the greatest privileges we have in life, and I am thankful I can do that even from this keyboard!
that life will probably not be like this next Christmas
I feel extremely optimistic about the odds of next Christmas being much more like normal, and that is a happy thought.
for the ability to hope
Sometimes I think about the hoping ability we humans have; in the midst of difficulty, we are able to look forward and envision something better. And that vision helps us to hang in there while things are really hard.
Imagine how much tougher times like these would be if we didn't have the capacity to hope!
that we can't see the future
I was thinking about how in March, when we first started lockdowns, I had no idea how long this pandemic would go on for.
And I am grateful that we didn't, because I might have been really discouraged!
Maybe in some senses, it would be nice to the see the future (we could see the end of the pandemic, then), but most of the time, I think it's nicer to not know what's coming.
1. Thankful my online publix order was perfect. Got shrimp ring and cheese ball on sale to take to neighbors when we open gifts. 2. Raining outside...happy to be warm inside. 3. Felt energy burst yesterday and cleaned refrigerator and did yard work. A record for me ..4. Thankful for covid researchers and doctors I will get a shot by June. 5. Blessed to have roof over my head and plenty of food clothing and books
I am thankful for my friends and family. Even though we have not been able to get together for our usual celebrations, we have been able to Zoom and talk on the phone.
I am thankful that I have a job and a wonderful team of people to work with.
I am thankful for my two rescue dogs, who gave me a reason to get out during lockdown.
And I am thankful to all the front line and emergency workers.
I’m thankful that despite COVID and Tier lockdowns in the U.K. I’m in a Tier 3 area meaning my parents and in-laws can visit us just for Christmas Day. They will have lunch with us which is our usual tradition.
I’m thankful I’ve managed to find a new job in the middle of the pandemic and leave a toxic/ gaslighting work environment and I start on January 4th.
I’m thankful for modern technology meaning my eldest DS can keep his relationship going with his Spanish girlfriend.
I’m thankful my actor (ie unemployed) DH has found a temporary job which keeps him busy and it’s relatively well paid.
I’m thankful my youngest DS passed his grade 7 piano exam with flying colours (his grade 6 was cancelled due to covid so he skipped it)
I’m grateful my eldest DS is still on track to go to college in the US and he’s studying hard for his ACT and training hard in American Football.
I’m grateful my youngest DS and I made the traditional Buche De Noel earlier today and my DH and eldest DS are currently baking their traditional Christmas Eve bread loaves together.
Golly that’s a lot of thankfulness....
Happy Christmas to you all.
For our neighbor who can fix the "municipal" (all of four households) water system when it stops working, as it did a couple of days ago. We spent many years living in a house where the water supply was solely our responsibility, and it's really nice to have someone else who can take care of it. Better than we can, at that.
That our house is slightly downhill of the well, so even when the water pump isn't working, we have a trickle of water to wash hands or whatever.
That we already have interests and hobbies that are okay to do even in the current lockdowns in New Mexico, so my son's elk hunt in a couple of days didn't have to be cancelled like so many things have been.
That my husband was able to get our windshield replaced this week, and while he was in a larger town, go to the grocery store so we have what I wanted for Christmas. I would have made it work regardless, but it's nice to have the extras I was hoping for. (And by "extras" I mean cream and avocados. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you, Kristen, and to all of your readers.
Uh, excuse me, cream is not an extra. It is an essential.
Seconded.
The tiny bits of extra daylight. Oh I feel that one. Happy we’ve-passed-by-solstice!
I always thought it odd that the first day of winter should be the start of MORE daylight. It rather seems it should be the other way around, doesn't it?
Thankful there are people in this world who love to and thrive on doing things I don't have any interest in doing, like inventing vaccines, and thinking of new ways to try to make beans taste good, even if only the first one works. How dull it would be if we were all the same!
Thankful for my not neuro-typical son, who is so much a happy person.
Thankful for my husband, especially as he has taken care of me as I am healing.
Thankful for hope.
Thankful for the people who point out my privilege and remind me to be thankful for what I have been given and how that continues to shape my life.
Thankful for people who welcome and share, such as in blogs like this! Thank you, Kristen! Merry Christmas to all!
I am so thankful to be done with covid quarantine today. I'm starting to smell and taste again. The fatigue and heartburn is still there. But oh my gracious being confined to one room of my house? This is so much better.
So glad you are feeling so much better. What a blessing.
I am thankful that my boss is letting me take off at noon today. I am then going for a 6 mile run in the extremely cold and windy outdoors because it is still so much better than the treadmill. I am thankful also that our Church is serving food to our underprivileged community tonight and that will be a blessing to get to help.
I am so thankful that my son is back in my life after 10 years of estrangement.
I'm also laughing at your family having to run around in the shower to get wet because all the water was spraying in random directions.
I am rejoicing with you over this development with your son. I hope you have a delightful holiday time with him!
Thanks so much. I can't begin to describe the burden it has lifted from my heart.
Merry Christmas Kristen and the FG Family!
I am very thankful for your blog. I have been reading it for years and find it so enjoyable. Even your bad days (which are few and far between it seems) seem better than most. You are a very positive person, so that in turn, has made me look for the positives.
I am very thankful that we are still employed. I say that every week. But with such difficulties now in the employment field, I am happy that both my husband and I are employed.
Happy and Thankful that my presents have arrived at their final destinations. It took 10 extra days because it seems that everyone is shipping presents rather than being there in person. The post office is way over whelmed and understaffed because of covid. Thank you to all the shipping companies!
I, too, am amazed that people were able to come up with vaccines for this virus. I can't wait to get mine and hope that my whole family will get their's so that I can come and visit them. Remember to mask up everyone!
Please have a very Merry Christmas and if you are traveling, be safe!
1) Thankful that my business has done ok during the pandemic and that we have been able to be open while keeping staff and customers safe.
2) Thankful for the hope of a vaccine available to all by summer.
3) Thankful that we have passed winter solstice and are gaining a bit of daylight.
4) Thankful for a coming 3 day weekend after an exhausting retail season.
5) Thankful for family and good friends.
6) thankful for the dog we adopted in October who has brought so much love and laughter into our lives.
7) thankful for our health
8) thankful for technology that helps us stay connected while isolating
9) thankful for the holiday lights to enjoy on my dark drive home every evening
10) thankful for holiday music!
I'm thankful for Utility workers who are all hands on deck for this Christmas storm the East Coast is experiencing. Utility workers almost never get any recognition from the public for the dangerous and necessary work they do whether it be electric, gas, propane, water or telecom.
That many people have realized over the last year just how worthless celebrities, Hollywood and sports are.
That since I never get invited to big holiday events anyway I am not missing out on them. I am bummed about no Christmas Eve service at church and believe it's criminal.
That Christ crushed the head of the Serpent, while the Serpent merely bruised His heel. All our suffering aside, it is meaningless in the end since Christ has come and will return again.
I'm thankful for how common it is now for wrapping paper to have grid lines on the back!! A huge thank you to whoever first thought of that idea.
I'm thankful for unexpected blessings. We usually drive up to my brother's church for Christmas Eve (it's the one time a year we gather in my brother's city) but their church has not resumed in-person services yet. This has freed up my husband to run sound for our church's Christmas Eve services in a time where they are strained for help due to the extra tech needs created by livestream. (Also, I'm thankful for livestream.) I'm glad that it's one less thing for our awesome church staff to worry about as they have served and loved us so well this year.
Merry Christmas, Kristen! I'm thankful for you!
1. Thankful for this amazing vaccine! Our niece who is a pediatrician just received the first injection. She's dealing with very sick patients right now so very grateful this will make her safer.
2. Thankful for modern technology that will make our zoom Christmas with our girls possible.
3. Thankful for the folks who have made Christmas so much easier during this time of covid. Curbside pickup, mail and package delivery and those who work so hard to make our necessary shopping safe, all have made this time of isolation so much better.
4. Thankful I went ahead and picked up the Christmas box from church with items to enhance our online Christmas Eve service. I am really, really looking forward to opening that box!
5. Thankful for a loving spouse to spend this time of isolation with. He really is a gem.
6. Thankful for family that works on being together when we can't do it in person. Texts and messages and group chats are such a blessing.
7. Thankful for our health, our fixed income and our warm home.
8. Especially thankful for the real purpose of the season. That God loved us so much He sent His son, Jesus, born in a manger, to be God among us-Emmanuel.
Merry Christmas all!
Yes, I am so happy for all the medical professionals who are getting vaccines.
I am thankful for this exercise on this scaled down Christmas Eve.
I am grateful that it is not as rainy as forecast (at least not yet) so getting outside has been easy.
I am thankful for friends that walk with me on a regular basis since a lot of my "social life" is curtailed.
I am grateful for HVAC that keeps the house feeling comfortable all year. I appreciate the technology and the ability to pay for it and to keep it running. I am also grateful for indoor plumbing and hot water heaters.
I am thankful for my husband and adult daughter having a holiday break that started today. They are ready for a break from work.
I am thankful that yeast is no longer hard to obtain. My sister texted that she discovered she was out but her husband was able to pick up some at the grocery store.
I am grateful that I was able to give away several items on Freecycle the other day.
I am glad that a friend is recovering from surgery she had six days ago.
Thankful for gently falling snow which makes everything seem more Christmassy. Thankful for my mom's wonderful hospice nurse--she really works hard to make things better for my mom, and since I'm not allowed in the building, she has become my eyes and ears. Today she set up a Zoom meeting with my mom. Thankful for my family who loves on my mom. Thankful for cinnamon rolls rising in my oven. Thankful that somehow we have all stayed healthy. Thankful for God Incarnate.
Grateful for no stress or expectations for the holidays
That each day will be a little bit longer and brighter, bit by bit
That the vaccine will start to turn this pandemic around, bit by bit
Coffee
I'm thankful for Christ. That's tops. I love all the hymns and readings and lights that go with it, too. I wish you could've heard my 9yo daughter sing "Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People" to me last night from memory. I know it's an Advent one, but still. So sweet.
I'm thankful for my daughters who labored over making tiny, tiny Calico Critters clothes for each other as gifts this years. And for my sons who made (albeit at my direction) upcycled wool hats and mittens for their sisters. And for receiving more chore coupons from children as a present.
We opened presents this morning, and I received 3 books I can't wait to read.
I'm thankful my husband is well after a bout of sickness.
I'm thankful for a plate of cookies delivered to our door today because I haven't made any yet.
I'm thankful for this blog and all who belong to it.
I suppose I'm also thankful for this dreary rainy day because it did make for some mighty fine napping this afternoon.
I've been reading your website for nearly a year, although I never commented before now. But today I feel like sharing with others what has been shared with me. I have a blog also, and during Advent I have been posting photos from my readers (and friends) along with quotes I found everywhere. I just finished my last post. Maybe some who have the time would like to look at the ways people have seen light. https://www.marybethdanielson.com/content/advent-light-post-12242020 Thank you for this place to share.
Thankful: for my husband. We have been married for 37 years and I still think he is the kindest, and has the most integrity of any person I have ever known.
for living in Alaska and having the privilege of living and traveling all over the state, seeing scenery and animals that very few people see outside a tv program. How many people have the opportunity to actually touch a whale, a musk ox, a reindeer, watch 1000 plus caribou thunder past, see polar bears roaming the streets of a town? All that and the northern lights, too.
for the wonderful dogs we have had, including our current pound hound who is funny and loving and barks at perceived threats even though he is a complete coward. A few days ago an owl gave a loud hoot and our 60 pound dog yelped and tried to hop into my husband's arms.
for having a father who instilled a love of reading that has given me a lifetime of pleasure and also made school much easier than it is for people who struggle to read.
for running water and electricity. I have lived without both and using an outhouse at 50 below zero is no picnic.
I am thankful for ...
The food that I will serve this evening.
My eldest son and his wife-to-be who always take time to make us a part of their busy lives. They will join us for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner.
My rescue pup who has allowed me to put a big red bow around her neck this evening.
The gift of tears which will wash away the despair that 2020 brought us.
Hope.
Thankful to be able to smell all the holiday smells: gingerbread cookies, the fir wreath my mom gave me since we are using the fake tree this year, and fresh baked bread.
Thankful that all the Christmas gifts are here and ready for Santa to arrange tonight, and thankful for all the delivery people who made this possible!
Thankful for 250 lbs of flour that were delivered today in five very heavy boxes! Thankful that they arrived during the not-so-rainy part of the day, thankful that my husband and I could get them in the house and safely stored, and thankful for all the bread it will become to feed our family over the next 6 months.
Thankful for online video games that enable my kids to connect with each other even when they are not in the same house.
Thankful that my grandmother can talk on the phone and still has a very good memory, so I get to hear very interesting stories about her childhood, like how her mother used to make her sugar sandwiches and tell her to eat them outside so they wouldn't get ants in the house.
Thankful for a nice long break from virtual teaching-what a relief to not have to look at a screen today!
Thankful for this blog and the opportunity to read about the everyday joys and challenges of so many interesting people.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
250 lbs! Wow! I thought I went through a lot of flour.
My husband also raised his eyebrows the last time I stocked up, but we got 250 lbs in June and most of it is gone except for some rye and whole wheat which you usually have to mix with AP or bread flour. We burned right through 200 lbs of AP/bread flour in 6 months by using a minimum of a lb a day so my husband now admits that 250 lbs is not that crazy. Though he still maintains that two things can be true: we will use all this flour, but I am also crazy. But as long as he keeps making delicious homemade sourdough bread, he can call me crazy all he wants! Carbs make everyone more easy going. 😉
PS A hat tip to Kristen for the ordering from a restaurant supply store idea. Brilliant!
- Thankful we are able to participate in our church Christmas Eve service from home, with my husband leading worship in front of our tree.
- Thankful our oven broke two days ago and not today. New oven arrived early this afternoon and has been in use nonstop since it got set up. Incredibly thankful that this is not a financial burden right now.
- Thankful that my kids - 18 and 21 - are being wonderful about this not-normal Christmas. They were both quite excited about the idea of having homemade pizza tomorrow for dinner instead of a traditional Christmas dinner, which none of us really enjoy, anyway. It will be Friday, after all, and Friday is pizza day.
1. Thankful for science!! Science always wins!
2. Thankful to see my military son for 48 hours this Christmas.
3. Thankful for the simple joy of Christmas music.
4. Thankful that my dad is still in REMISSION!!!!!
5. Thankful for those who quietly and stoically wear masks.
Love this blog!
Although my family cancelled our Christmas celebration and I will be spending the day alone tomorrow, I am thankful for friends and family that have checked in on me, dropped gifts and goodies off on my porch and make me feel loved.
I got surprising news that because of where I work, I will be my state's tier 1 for the vaccine. As someone at higher risk, this is a huge relief to me. I thought I would be in tier 3 (of 4).
I am thankful for cozy pajamas. Since I am home alone tomorrow I can wear the all day!
Merry Christmas, Lorraine.
That today was a good day. There have been so few of them in the past few months but today - today many of the things that might have been hard, or gone wrong, or might have broken... they all went right, or at least right enough.
I hope you have more good days in the coming weeks.
I am so very happy to hear this for you!
I’m thankful for
- the Christmas Eve service my two oldest children and I attended this evening. The husband stayed home with the toddler and baby and they watched the live stream. There was candlelight, and carols, and celebration of Christ’s incarnation, and it was beautiful. Singing is hard with a mask on but it was a wonderful to be with other worshippers on Christmas Eve.
- for my precious children. There was a time in my life when it looked like I would never be blessed with a family. I look around at my home, husband, and four beautiful kids, and I feel unbelievably fortunate. Blessings I don’t deserve.
- for a patient, hardworking, loving husband who puts his family first. He even rubs my feet and brings me coffee and lets me sleep in on Saturdays. He’s a rare gem.
- for my parents. In spite of their issues and some difficulties we’ve had, I know they love me.
- for the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol. For some reason I love it so much. It makes me happy and brings me to trays, and evokes the feeling of the book in a grand way, despite the fact that most of the parts are played by muppets.
- for all the snow we have this Christmas. We haven’t had a white Christmas for several years, in spite of living in a very snowy part of Ohio.
- for the glorious God incarnate, in the person of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who cried watching The Muppet Christmas Carol! We watched it for the first time a few days ago and I was very moved by it. Will definitely be sure to watch it each year now.
I'm thankful for growth. Over the past few years I've been teaching myself how to exist outside of the anxiety that consumed me. For the first time at 32 I had a full time job at a daycare. And it was at a stressful poorly managed one. I persisted and went to the hardest room, nursery, doing what was right. At that time I met my best friend and affectionately known as my work wife now. I didn't know it at the time but she was severely depressed and I was the positive force that kept her going. She left that daycare and went to a new one. After awhile I went for an interview there. I was hired on the spot and got a promotion from the full time job I was working. I'm quite happy now and thriving working as co incharge of our nursery room with happy babies and happy families. A daycare director who supports ambition and excellence in care. And says yes to every single suggestion I've made based on research studies even if it costs money, she finds it in the budget for that month or a few months later. That's how I know doing the right thing, being kind and having courage are the most important things you can be
And so I'm grateful this year, frought with stress and grief for many others and for myself. It's shown me that kindness, generosity and grace; rise above covid, stress, severe anxiety and severe depression. You are a lightness in the dark for someone, somewhere.
Well, a high five to you! That is such growth on your part!
Happy Christmas everyone.
Honestly, I’m thankful for a quiet Christmas where we don’t have to run around and drag our little kids to a thousand different events.
Amen! I think this was the most relaxing Christmas I've had since becoming a parent! Love all my extended family members, but it was actually very nice to not have to manage anyone else's expectations other than those of my little people.
I am thankful for a beautiful Christmas Eve service last night with two of my family members along, and our now traditional meal at a certain Mexican restaurant before the service.
I am thankful for the deep meaning of this holy day.
I am thankful for the plentiful but not difficult to make meal today with family.
I am thankful that one gift I received was a food vacuum sealer. I needed one but wouldn’t spend the money on myself.
I am thankful for some cold weather! It makes it feel more like Christmas to this former upper South girl living in Florida.
I am thankful that my husband should be able to get the vaccine soon.
I’m thankful for my 40+ year old wedding china that still sets a pretty table for holiday meals.
I’m thankful for the days off of work. I really like my job but being home a few days is very welcome.
I’m late to this post but grateful non the less for:
1. Being able to “visit” with all our parents albeit through glass. Us standing in the rain outside with our phones talking to our parents through the window glass. We were able to deliver their Christmas presents, and share a few words and song. A very different Christmas Eve.
2. A lovely Christmas Eve takeout meal prepared by our neighborhood family owned Italian restaurant eaten at our beautifully decorated and candle lit table.
3. For funny Christmas movies to watch as a family
4. That our son who has autism did not have to go inpatient this holiday. The excitement of Christmas often proves too much for him. This year with its much slower pace proved to be a good fit for him.
5. That we are all healthy.
6. For the joy and fun all our crazy critters bring to us.
Christmas has always been my least favorite holiday 100% due to the stress of gift giving. Because our respective families cancelled all get togethers it felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I only gave gifts to my kids who supplied a list. I had already bought for the grand baby but she is too small to recall this Christmas.
Thankful we were able to spend time with the baby.
Work gave us 2 weeks off paid vacation. The biggest YAY possible for that.
1. My family is low key about gifts. We do minimal gifts on my side and on my husband’s side no gifts and I really appreciate it. I have so little gift buying to do and can enjoy the holidays! Also not so much plastic junk for my kids to break and me to have to organize.
2. I am also grateful to all the scientists who worked on this vaccine and brought it to fruition. I never thought it could be done that quickly and I am amazed by what people can do. I got my first dose a few days ago and get my next one in a couple weeks.
3. I am thankful for our gym. Everyone does a really good job of staying far apart and wearing masks and cleaning everything and I am thankful to be able to exercise even in winter in WI. It is much easier to be able to just stop at the gym with daycare than to have to bundle the kids and i up in all the winter gear to go for a walk or hike. Also it’s a nice kid free “date” for my husband & I.
4. Our jobs. Both my company and my husband’s have been largely unaffected by this pandemic and I am very grateful. Having to worry about money at the holidays would be so difficult.
5. My kids at the holidays. They are 2 and 5 right now and Christmas has been just magical. These are the prefect ages for all the fun activities of Christmas time and advent. From reading the nativity story to decorating cookies to elf on the shelf to driving through Christmas lights, this season has been absolutely joyful.
Just wondering how you got the vaccine. My son who is in the medical field got his last week.