I wasn’t going to write this post. Stubbornly determined to wallow in how shitty this year has been for literally the entire planet, but I do have things to be thankful for and I shouldn’t forget that. So this is my attempt to find *something* to be happy about in 2020…
- Thankful I have a house that I love & a big backyard. Who would have known in January how much time we would all spend at home this year? By spending so much time at home actually we really decided to update things we have been long complaining about, so yay?
- Thankful I have such a wonderful, close-knit family. We hosted a virtual family zoom session this summer, I spent time calling and catching up, and we are still able to get together for Thanksgiving socially distanced style.
- Thankful we did not experience financial insecurity this year. It has been hella hard getting our job as teachers done but that is nothing compared to the millions out of work and experience financial uncertainty. I cannot take that for granted.
- Thankful for my health, even as problematic as it is. I have a list of health concerns but I can live my life unfettered and I am so blessed for that. Thinking of all those affected by COVID and other long term health issues.
- Thankful for an amazing neighborhood community! We started a weekly socially distanced drinks in the driveway in April and it is still going strong. That weekly fellowship has been incredibly special.
- Thankful for my support system, all the friends and family I have reached out to this year in my times of need. Will is my absolute bedrock but you also need people outside our spouse to help hold you up. Weekly hiking dates, FaceTimes, outdoor happy hours, movie nights, etc. have kept me sane this year.
- Thankful for loving the kitchen. lol That sounds weird but I don’t know how else to say it. I could quite happily spend all day in the kitchen (I think I inherited that from my aba…now just to get her cooking skills!). The reason I am thankful for this is that it literally gave me purpose with COVID Stay at Home Orders and I continue to find purpose in it. The thing I miss is hosting dinner parties but I consider this a year (or more) of practice. 🙂
- Thankful (sometimes) I have a big mouth and I use it. lol Although it certainly gets me in trouble, I am happy to say that if I don’t like you, you know it. Loud and clear. It’s important to be to be genuine and speak up when things are bad. Thing are very bad for students and teachers right now and I am not shy about telling people how it is.
- Thankful for religion; yes, even in a pandemic when houses of worship were partially closed. The structure, the ritual, the rhythm of religious life has given me something solid this year when everything felt like it kept (& keeps!) shifting.
- Lastly, I am thankful for life. Too many people had theirs cut short this year and I am so incredibly blessed to still be here. Hopefully I can do good with this gift.
JMF
P.S. I didn’t want this list to be political but I couldn’t publish this without saying I AM SO EFFING THANKFUL BIDEN IS THE PRESIDENT ELECT!!! 🙂
