I know the internet, social media, and smartphones in general get a (somewhat deserved) bad rap. I mean, I definitely can see the downsides, particularly when it comes to social media.
(There are lots of reasons I keep Instagram off of my phone almost all the time!)
But my list this week contains several instances where smartphones + internet have made it easier to connect with family. Like all things, the internet and smart phones are a mixture of upsides and downsides, and this week, I am just feeling really appreciative of the upsides!
This week, I am thankful:
for Facetime
Lisey Facetimed me the other night, and then my South Dakota aunt Facetimed me at the same time, so we all hopped on a call together, which was fun.
My South Dakota aunt and uncle
I love the way technology makes it easier to stay connected to people who live far apart…there we were, me at home, Lisey at my Uncle Ron and Aunt Kathy’s house, and my other aunt in South Dakota, all getting to chat together.
for Game Pigeon
Game Pigeon is a game app within iMessage and the other night, Sonia, Zoe, Lisey, and I were all playing Uno together via the app, and it was almost like Lisey was here with us. 🙂
Also, Lisey and I have been playing Game Pigeon’s Four in a Row (their version of Connect Four), which is fun because Lisey is really good at this game, and I’m pretty good at it too.
So we make worthy opponents for each other!
Lisey and I also like to play Anagrams together and she is always beating me at that one.
that Lisey lives close enough to come home for Christmas
If her school was in, say, California, this would be much more challenging. But she’s just a couple of hours away by car, so she will be able to be home for a little while over Christmas break.
that my Uncle Ron and Aunt Kathy are coming for Christmas
They’re going to drive here to share Christmas dinner with us, and I’m delighted about that.
for relationships with my aunts and uncles
I have a lot of aunts and uncles (my dad has three siblings and my mom has four) and I am thankful that I get to chat with some of them regularly. And that is made possible mainly because of smartphones!
for six weeks between semesters
There are exactly six weeks between the day of my A&P 1 final and the first day of A&P 2. Six weeks is a lot! That’s, like, half of a summer break.
So, I plan to appreciate it as such.
that I got signed up with a great professor for next semester
My current professor was able to tell me who is teaching which sections next semester; I was looking for one particular professor, and now I am signed up for his section. Yay!
I hear A&P 2 is even harder than A&P 1, so I am delighted to be in a class with a highly-rated professor. Whew.
A lot of class success is due to personal effort, of course, but I still think a great professor can make an enormous difference.
Kristen
Friday 17th of December 2021
Oh man, that's got to be a rough road. I often thought of chemo patients when I was pregnant since the nausea meds I was taking were initially developed for nauseous cancer patients. Nausea and vomiting are so tough to deal with long-term.
Like everyone else, I hope that this holiday break from treatment gives you some much-needed rest!
Rose
Thursday 16th of December 2021
Happy that all my Christmas gifts are purchased and ready--except for one very special gift, to be embroidered by my daughter. She promises that the needlework and the beading will be finished by Monday so I can overnight it to New Orleans to my BFF. Said BFF is childless, and loves my kids, and had a pacemaker installed last week and has less than two years to live. I am trying very very hard to remember to be glad I had her for as long as I have rather than be miserable about the little time she has left. Also she and I are going to write an extremely funny obit for her after Christmas. We're both looking forward to it. She deserves it.
Molly F.C.
Thursday 16th of December 2021
@Rose, I am sorry that you and your friend must navigate thru such sadness. Virtual hugs to you.
Mar
Thursday 16th of December 2021
Thankful that another grand baby is on the way. She should be delivered tonight. I can't wait to meet her. Because I am so very frustrated with my work load at work I will try to find some thankfulness in it. I really like all my co-workers they are all totally awesome. I am still remote part time, hugely helpful with dogs not having to be alone for very long during the day. I have worked there a long time and have always enjoyed working there. I am glad that I am really good at saving money because I know for sure I will not be working till I am 65. I think we should be ok retiring in the next 2 years or so. If there was universal health insurance I would have retired already.
Maria Martoral
Thursday 16th of December 2021
So Thankful for …. My hairdresser Sushi for Lunch Holiday Movies Leftovers on Thursday All shopped and wrapped for Christmas My daughter is hosting Christmas this year Thrivent Action Grant gifted for Giving Joy (toys) for needy children at our church
Stephanie
Thursday 16th of December 2021
My dishwasher. Always, always my dishwasher.
Definitely thankful for the internet. It's the world's greatest cookbook. It's how I learn about new books. It's where I get to chat with my longtime friends from my parenting group; I've been with these ladies for almost twenty years now. It's where I can learn just about anything I need to kn0w (you know, when you wake up at 3 am and having a burning need to know the capital of Malaysia), find craft patterns, better my knitting/crocheting skills, learn a new language or two, find ideas of things to do with my daughter (both locally and at home), and check out ebooks from my library.
I also attend virtual services at my synagogue from my living room and have been engaging with a lot of virtual Jewish programming throughout the pandemic. It's really been amazing, the amount of education that people have offered, and the means to connect during this time. I've been and will forever be grateful for this! :)