A lot to be Grateful for Over the Last 24 hours

 

We started keeping gratitude journals this year.  I highly recommend that you do this one year.  You can start now, it doesn't have to be at the start of the year.  The beauty of keeping a gratitude journal is that you start noticing things you may not have noticed and you also start turning tiny irritants into blessings.  

For me, what has been most profound is that I have recognized that most of my problems have been "first world white people" problems.  We have all changed during the pandemic.  One of the things for me is that I have struggled with my racial identity.  On one hand, I am also embarrassed to be caucasian.  On the other hand, I love my parents and their stories and I am proud to be from them.  

Doing the gratitude journal has made me appreciative of many things that I may not have paid attention to.  

Last night, Venus and Serena Williams attended an Award Show and wore matching gowns.  No comment on the gowns, but when I first saw a picture of them together, I was reminded that my Andrew met the sisters while staying at a hotel in London, England.  Andrew has led an amazing life and still has more or his amazing life to look forward to.  He has travelled the world and has so many stories.  Also, he is an uber sports fan and that has led to so many blessings in our lives.  

Of course, I wouldn't have my Andrew without his parents.  The life journey of his father is remarkable and especially poignant with the invasion of Ukraine.  His parents thought it was not safe for him as a 9 year old Jewish boy living in German controlled territory at the start of WW2.  They gave him all the money that he would need until he was 18 and sent him to cross Europe by himself and find a family in England that he had never met that were going to raise him.  The stories are amazing.  The original family sent him to live with another family in rural England as it was deemed safer.  He managed to grow up and obtain a PH.D from Oxford University.  What he accomplished as an adult is hero worthy.  From what I have been led to believe, his father was always grateful for what he had but also thought that everyone was remarkable.  Shining a light on someone's accomplishments does not diminish the story of others.  There have been many instances when I have taken inspiration and strength from stories about this man that I never got the opportunity to meet.  

Yesterday was my grandson's birthday.  There is a sense of profound love of a grandchild that one can not explain but it is such a powerful force in one's life.  Watching the joy that he experienced during his birthday was priceless.  Being part of the joy in a child is something that I ever very blessed to have in my life.  Sharing this joy with Andrew is something I cherish.  

I was disappointed that I had gained 2 lbs over the weekend.  It is because when I let Andrew go to the grocery store by himself, he buys this glorious French bread which is impossible for me to resist.  Again, a white person problem.  I am blessed that Andrew will go grocery shopping when I am unable and also blessed that we can afford to buy this bread.  Even though I scold him never to do it again.  

We both had difficulty sleeping over night and finally gave up trying at 5 am.  We took this as an opportunity and did yoga together, cleaned the bathroom, and tied the bedroom.  Also, leisurely enjoyed a glorious breakfast.  

Yesterday, I met a young man who claimed to be a good friend of a curler named Braeden.  It reminded me of the quality of my friends.  I can't think of a single friend who would sent me a cringe-worthy video.  Let me tell you about just one of my friends.  One of my friends found a purse on an online auction that she thought I would like and alerted me right away to take action and then brokered a deal.  That is who my friends are, ones who will go out of their way to think of me, and to try and make my life better.  Sounds pretty good to me.  

And, that is just a sampling.  It is also Pi day which for me is also known as my nephew's birthday.  He has to work on his birthday.  Poor guy.  He has to fly to Palm Springs.  I am just so grateful he is living his best life and I am so grateful that throughout his life he has maintained a great sense of humour.  I am very proud.  

Oprah said it years ago but it took me a while to get it.  Once you start being grateful, you start noticing how much you have to be grateful for.   

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