Grateful for This Life

In place of a High Five for Friday post tomorrow, I'm posting my annual November Gratitude Journal today. Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

stop.

stand here.

and breath in

all the things

that make you grateful

for this life.

~ Ahmad Sanusi Husain

November 1 - To kick off my gratitude journal, today I'm grateful for the reminder of why I document that for which I'm grateful throughout the month of November and why I compile this post to share each Thanksgiving. 

Today wasn't a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, but it certainly wasn't a great day. And if I hadn't already committed to keeping my gratitude journal for the next few weeks, I would have written this day off and never looked back. Instead, I paused to acknowledge how grateful I am for a forever home for Hermione, the opportunity to meet some of Will's teachers, the drive-thru at Panera, curbside pick-up at Michael's, and a cooler evening for soccer practice. 

November 2 - I'm grateful for my right to vote, for others who exercise their right to vote, and for strong candidates to support...even when they don't win.

November 3 - I'm grateful for the (rarest of) nights when both kids find themselves at home - finished with activities, finished with homework - and choose to spend that tremendously valuable free time...together.

November 4 - I'm grateful for the recent weather shift (a full day of dreary rain, which is my absolute favorite 😉, followed by brisk temperatures and blue skies) - it finally feels like fall here in our neck of the woods!

November 5 - I'm grateful - beyond grateful, really - for 30 minutes in the car, driving home from soccer and then sitting in the car in the garage, listening to Will talk about topics that are exciting and interesting to him. The amount of time I get to spend with Will these days is far less than what I would like, so any time is valuable but quality time is treasured. 

November 6 - I'm grateful for friends with whom you can spend the entire day - even when that day includes getting up incredibly early, staying up incredibly late, driving more than six hours in the car, and dealing with your own and your kids' frustration, anxiety, and tears - and still have fun.  

November 7 - I'm grateful Tom made it home safely after weeks of traveling, for his help with kid shuttling and activities, and for the end of Daylight Saving Time and an extra hour of sleep.

November 8 - I'm grateful for cancelled plans. 

November 9 - I'm grateful my kids are willing to try new things, even when said things feel hard and overwhelming.

November 10 - I'm grateful my kids are willing to walk away from activities/experiences/groups when said activities/experiences/groups don't feel right. 

November 11 - I'm grateful for kids who stand up for other kids, and for moms who've taught their kids that there's a difference between laughing at someone and laughing with someone.

November 12 - I'm grateful for my mother-in-law, who since day one has never made me feel anything other than welcome, included, loved, and part of her family.

November 13 - I'm grateful for the most amazing friends, who gave me the perfect night early evening 😉😂 out - complete with fabulous drinks (did you know that Brazilian margaritas aren't made with tequila?! I was able to enjoy my first margarita in 20 years!), delicious appetizers, and flaming cheesecake - to celebrate my birthday.  

November 14 - I'm grateful for Chinese food (and delivery) on Sunday night after a crazy busy weekend.

November 15 - I'm grateful for the opportunity to finally meet all of Hallie's teachers face-to-face (mask-to-face might be a better description, since we're still masking in crowded indoor spaces) and to watch/listen to her sing as part of her middle school's open house. 

November 16 - I'm grateful for science and technology, epidemiologists and immunologists, doctors and pharmacists...basically everyone who has had a hand in making vaccines possible and available. 

November 17 - I'm grateful for my hump day Starbucks (and the friends with whom I share it every Wednesday night). 

November 18 - I'm grateful for good dental care...and for not needing it.

November 19 - I'm grateful for all of our teachers, and for the efforts made by PTOs and parents district-wide to let our teachers know just how much we appreciate them. 

November 20 - I'm grateful for my dance mom friends, who are not at all like the dance moms on television and who make the tough times easier and the good times even better.

November 21 - I'm grateful for an uneventful road trip, and that we made it safely from Texas to Nebraska. 

November 22 - I'm grateful for 43 years on this earth.

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

November 23 - I'm grateful for all of the birthday phone calls, texts, emails, and Facebook messages I received yesterday. Social media has its downfalls, but allowing - even encouraging - users to make sure family members, friends, and acquaintances feel loved on their birthdays (and supported through times of crisis) is not one of them.

November 24 - I'm grateful that even when we don't see our families for weeks...months...years...we can pick up right where we left off the last time we were together.

November 25 - I'm grateful for the opportunity to take what I've learned this month out into the world with me.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.     ~ JFK

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. 

No HFFF post tomorrow. See you next Tuesday!