This week, I am thankful:
to be feeling better!!
It’s been slow going, but every day there is a small improvement. And each day this week, when I think back seven days, I can see big cumulative progress.
For example, when I went to class on Tuesday, I could recognize that I felt much less tired than I did the previous Tuesday.
My cough is getting better, my voice sounds more regular, I am not as tired, and I’ve been able to get back into exercising.
Some interesting ice I found while on a walk. I love all the various ways ice forms!
for the way tough times make you appreciate the good times
I am never, ever more appreciative of good health than I am right after I get over being sick.
It is a positively euphoric experience to feel normal again!
Unfortunately, the euphoria does wear off, but for now, I am full of appreciation for a functioning body.
that I got to play some games with my dad
He likes to play Sequence, and my mom (his usual game companion) somehow always manages to draw the right cards to beat him consistently.
I do not have the luck of my mom, apparently, because he beat me 3/5 games.
I told my mom that my dad might start to prefer to play Sequence with me instead of her. 😉
for opportunities to help my girls with their school
Sonia’s doing pre-calc at college this semester, and even though I have not ever gone past Algebra 2, I was able to help her a bit when she was stuck on her homework.
Zoe was assigned The Screwtape Letters in her British literature class, and since she sometimes processes literature better by listening, I spent Sunday afternoon reading a bunch of chapters aloud while she worked on a puzzle.
And that was a nice way to spend an afternoon!
My homeschooling journey is just about over (Zoe will be a senior next year, and Sonia IS a senior this year), so I am remembering to appreciate these times that I can still bless my girls by helping them.
for a friend in my A&P class
Last semester, I initiated a conversation with one of my young classmates because when I read her online intro, I noticed that she said she liked cats.
We cat people know that other cat people like to be asked about our cats, so that’s what I did. 😉
Anyway, we got to know each other a bit last semester, and this semester, she happens to be in my section, and we are sitting at the same four-person table. Yay!
that it’s easy for me to make friends at class
Back when I was a fresh high school graduate, in college full-time, I remember that I made friends in each of my classes. And the same is true for me now.
I know for some people, it is hard to initiate conversations, but that has always been easy for me. And if you can initiate conversations, you can usually find people to be friends with.
I don’t think I deserve credit for this (God just made me this way!), but I am thankful for this aspect of my personality.
for the joy of an early morning class
In the normal course of things, I rarely leave my house in the 7:00 am hour, and I wasn’t sure how I’d end up feeling about having an early class start.
But I really like it! I love mornings and I have been enjoying driving to school as the sun comes up.
The day feels fresh and full of possibilities at that time. And since I’m a morning person, my brain is in good shape to absorb knowledge when class starts at 8:00 am.
KC
Monday 14th of February 2022
I have missed your weekly emails for the last several weeks. I found you on Google to make sure you were still posting. Is there something I need to do to get back on the regular email distribution list?
Nan
Thursday 10th of February 2022
All my thankful comments seem to be mostly health related. I’m thankful all was good with my colonoscopy but I will have to have another in 5 yrs. I’m thankful that 2 days later I was able to pass a kidney stone-worse pain I’ve ever had-and thankful for that fabulous medicine Toredol IV I got in ER that gave me relief. I’m thankful for a good checkup 6 months post aortic valve replacement (courtesy of cow heart tissue) that went perfectly and was out of hospital next day due to that fabulous TAVR procedure. I’m thankful for the brains that can think up these life-saving devices and procedures. I’m thankful for the Great Physician whose hand I’m in and who knows all my needs.
Tarynkay
Friday 4th of February 2022
I am not naturally good at initiating conversation with people. I am naturally very shy. However, I have a friend, M, who is excellent at initiating conversation. She chats people up everywhere she goes. I always admired this ability so much so I asked her about it. She told me it was easy, just say something, anything really. Most people are waiting and hoping that someone else will talk first.
So now when I am in an awkward situation with strangers, I just think, what would M do? M would talk to that lady. Then I do. It’s been amazing, it’s really changed my outlook.
Anyhow, I think it’s wonderful that God made you this way! That is definitely something to be grateful for. But for other shy folks, I highly recommend trying it out despite your fear. As it turns out, nothing bad is going to happen to you. One time, a lady actually dramatically turned her back on me when I tried to talk to her. But even though that was the very thing I feared so much, it was fine. As M would say, her loss!
Kristen
Saturday 5th of February 2022
Aww, I love that you have adopted this. And yes, I generally find that people are pretty receptive to friendly overtures. You do always run into a few people here and there who do not want to reciprocate, but they are the exception, not the rule.
Rebekah in SoCal
Friday 4th of February 2022
I am thankful for friends who are giving us free boxes and loaning us dollies and furniture movers for our upcoming move.
I am thankful that my husband is not a picky eater and happily eats leftovers and scraps turned into "breakfast tacos."
I am thankful for the free advice I am getting for a part-time job I picked up.
I am thankful that we got to watch some of the Olympics on Peacock (for just $5). We don't have cable or antenna reception so we rarely get to watch live sports. What a treat!
I am thankful that my family lives close enough to come and visit just for the day.
Ruth
Thursday 3rd of February 2022
This week I'm thankful for SNOW. We've been under a travel advisory (no unnecessary travel) for two days so far - maybe tomorrow, also? I prefer bright white fresh snow over dirty gray rain and clouds - so cheerful looking! And I love watching it fall, especially when I can watch it from my nice warm home.
I'm also thankful that a day BEFORE it all started, I was able to get a gallon of milk (no, I didn't buy any bread or eggs - LOL!) and gas up my car, and that we already had plenty of food in the house to tide us over for several days.
AND because I can't go anywhere else, I've been able to complete a couple of decluttering projects at home.
So YAY for SNOW!