2022 Gratitude List

It’s a few days late, but here is my annual Gratitude List — 365 days’ worth of small things noticed and appreciated. I now have 12 of these lists inhabiting my hard drive, and each one gives a snapshot of a year that is unlike those that came before. This year’s seems to be dominated by work, as I started yet another new job, and then another. There is always much to learn, much to celebrate, and much to leave behind as a fresh, new year unfolds. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

• the lost, found
• the smell of leaves under the tires of my bike, the weight of the handlebars, the whir of the wheels
• pedalling, noticing, breathing
• all of the things that are better than they were
• I, who am competent…
• I, who rocked that lesson
• and she who left it before it fell apart
• when the magic letters come together to make words
• report cards done five days early
• a down duvet
• zoom friends
• deliverance
• the paperwork
• a long prep period to rewrite my report card comments
• when they learn things
• the rain put a quick end to a very painful outdoor math lesson
• I caught S prancing to the office for a banana
• I kept last year’s sketchbooks
• I caught the last half of my French class
• tag is fun
• L had a good day
• The yellow water on the floor was largely ignored
• extra quizzes
• schoolyard coding
• hamburger soup
• a hair shuttle
• an autumn walk to the Value Mart
• getting some planning done
• approval
• they’re always good for no good reason
• the explosion happened on someone else’s watch
• I slept a long sleep
• I’ve been other places, done other things, lived other lives
• there is more to come

• Ariko
• it’s not too cold to get on my bike
• things that make things take longer
• not caring what the superintendent thinks
• not doing what I once did
• having survived it
• diversions
• a five-minute walk to the dentist
• omelettes
• finally, I can nap again
• parents who love their kids
• audiobooks
• L was happy all day long
• they’re reading!
• my plants are snug and warm
• I can’t wait to get into my car
• to have recovered
• outdoor math was awesome
• got my flu shot
• I’m not where I was
• planning the math
• riding the bike
• liking the like
• back to the gym
• a super-active day
• I’m quite happy being single
• really all I need are friends
• got the laminating roll changed
• got the laminating done
• had a good dinner
• rested
• tomorrow will be a short day
• got the supply plans done
• and the laminating cut
• and the tests marked
• an afternoon MRI
• easy supply plans
• a warm November afternoon, and time to enjoy it
• this mouthguard isn’t so bad
• the beginnings of balance?
• (left work on time to go to the gym)
• Zumba!
• fuzzy pants
• a relaxed state
• arts planning
• kids with decent French phonetics
• getting SMASH going
• French with les voyageuses
• tiny vowel victories
• tasty meatballs
• dry roads
• colleague connections
• when the good milk is on sale
• leaving work at 3:45
• lipstick jokes
• hot soup and caramel beer
• hot chocolate with the Wortley Walkers
• getting the oatmeal made early
• some choral reassurance
• it doesn’t have to go anywhere
• work-free evenings
• a new gym class
• gains are being made
• I am doing okay
• it’s not about me
• time on the road
• cancelled meetings
• a warm winter coat
• roast beef
• my bed
• medical care
• not being sick
• finishing early ID
• staying home
• having planned ahead
• feeling 98%
• enjoying choir
• distant friends
• KNOWLEDGE
• telehealth
• sick days
• chicken soup
• light reading
• covid tests
• Kanopy
• Buckley’s
• permission to work
• the love coach
• acrostic poetry
• being back at work
• hope for intelligent life
• teeth
• number families
• French films
• abundant gift bags
• the moment when I take my ID tag off at the end of the day
• thoughtful cards
• bounty
• treats
• autonomy
• beef
• time off
• an uncomplicated life
• quiet companionship
• omicron negative
• rapid test kits
• rebooking appointments
• spinach salad
• stisel
• better side effects than illness or quarantine
• functional for Christmas
• and a family to spend it with
• with a family, one is never alone
• coughing without consequences
• outings
• good health
• short lines
• clear sinuses
• wine and cheese
• Picard
• report card progress
• thinking time
• a walk in the park
• a home
• not commuting
• snow for a walk
• being home for the cable guy
• people who share upon request
• the internet was obedient today
• the stuff is ready, if not the brain…
• another day of wonderful wifi
• not buying a modem
• a full water bottle
• gracious parents
• weekends
• toilets
• my Moroccan lamp
• pre-cooked bacon
• spinach
• a reasonable workload
• a class I like
• a $30 haircut five minutes down the road
• and a good haircut at that
• feeling caught up
• even ahead of the game
• finishing the math comments
• control over the thermostat
• the beginnings of a ten-year plan
• possibilities
• I am alive
• I have a union
• being ready for tomorrow
• routines = grounding
• being warm and well-fed
• hot chocolate and French fries
• almost done report cards
• safe drives
• bean salad
• finding things
• shelter from the storm
• tranquility
• being done report cards early
• meetings where I don’t have to say anything
• no more snowy morning drives
• cupcakes
• work people who get it
• keeping my cool
• when it doesn’t feel as cold out as it should
• visiting artwork that isn’t mine yet
• heated mirrors
• staff room ease
• being ready for tomorrow
• mostly
• the new girl stopped crying after a few hours
• I will go somewhere again one day
• snow days
• the yoga that changed the day
• Triangle et Cercle
• a park across the street
• deep snow for cardio
• PD on the couch
• a doctor, a job, an apartment, a car
• it’s not exactly a life, but it’s something
• I did what I set out to do
• time to set out to do something new
• finishing my work at work
• seeing my students grasping the language
• V’s reading syllables
• a clean car
• weather advisories that don’t materialize
• weather advisories that do materialize
• depending on the context
• hot chocolate and renewed patience
• a clean kitchen
• a worry-free day
• normal sleep
• decisions made
• chores done
• V-day — a break from routine
• V is reading!
• the show went on
• I got it together
• birthday snow day
• a weekend of not thinking about work
• a giant birthday gift bag
• with cupcakes
• less rain than expected
• giving the health lesson to the supply teacher
• perceptive advisors
• honest mechanics
• work keeps me occupied
• I’m sleeping so much better now
• a little bit of stress is a useful distraction
• my book club, a little bright spot in a sullen, bleak day
• my country is not at war
• there is no hostility in my life
• I made oatmeal
• I found my sunscreen
• This will not last
• JB
• distracting work
• pharmaceuticals
• friends
• a very good omelette
• the golden shoe award
• fuzzy clothes
• getting it all done
• opening a window
• wearing a spring coat
• a friendly choir
• virtual staff meetings
• one can always postpone things
• either way, I’ll be okay
• a full tank of gas
• a friend who listens and gives hugs
• no concussion reports
• people who care about and work with my students
• free pizza
• enough daylight for a walk in the park
• chocolates
• frozen bread can be toasted
• arriving late and leaving early
• rearranging my desks
• wine and netflix
• longer days
• long yoga classes
• extended into longer naps
• borscht
• a clean sink
• writing
• a bracing walk
• cheese biscuits
• pep talks
• getting my singing voice back
• online rehearsals
• feeling rested
• a night out at the movies
• lesson plan progress
• the ability to relax
• a true holiday
• walking with exposed elbows
• photo shoots
• excess
• friendly customs people
• finding my people
• the world is the bigger than the stretch of highway between Kingsville and Woodstock
• my work will be easier next year
• I have a new choir
• jeux de société
• abundant food
• deep sleep
• social ease
• illumination
• having real friends
• first spring bike ride
• sun on the back step
• a warm, choral hug
• prep payback
• comfortable shoes
• pulling the rolled up contact out from behind my eye
• fairy lights
• a webinar buddy
• a compliment
• a turkey sandwich
• rain that did not freeze
• Inventing Anna
• I still have friends out there somewhere
• the 8 kids that do understand place value
• it’s Friday
• caring less
• French conversation group = social interaction
• a sausage dog at the farmer’s market
• lessons are planned for the week
• coming out of it
• only a little whiteout
• intello à Quebec
• finding tenderness
• no field trip mishaps
• full prep
• salad from the farmer’s market
• an art gallery window on my walk to the store
• they will learn in spite of me
• meeting friendly people
• down duvets and heating pads
• afternoons off
• laughter with my little ones
• when things end early
• 3 interests
• carrying groceries is exercise
• tax refunds
• Sunday salads
• warmth and optimism
• plastics are an option
• I have choices
• Molière
• coming up for air
• closure
• the placebo effect
• new ways of seeing
• multiple scenarios
• clarity
• duck dinner
• Micah time
• long long weekends
• being somewhere else
• walks with friends
• Tapestry (catching the last few minutes)
• hopes
• another safe drive
• choir is getting fun
• a snow day
• hardly grumpy at all
• pleasant conversations with colleagues
• messenger upgrade
• French pen pals
• maps and compasses
• it’s a vocation, not a boulot
• JM’s references
• short sessions
• renewed books
• a ride to choir
• the pianist’s Fauré
• it’s been a good apartment
• possibilities are vast
• when I stopped crying
• a black mask
• air in my tires
• a fridge full of food
• short sleeves
• homemade pasta sauce
• hummus and boiled eggs
• understanding parents
• a friend at work
• a family that loves me
• the next great thing
• pleasantness
• unconcern
• I don’t have M
• Or the other two
• my French convo group
• Saturday social
• when the choir sounds okay
• when the art gallery is unexpectedly open
• when I eat a full meal
• an interview
• a somewhat happy day
• VPs who have my back
• all the free pizza
• the gym looms
• a breathing air day
• they can only learn what they’re ready to learn
• wearing my sparkly jeans
• receiving apologies instead of reprimands
• improvising passably enough
• comptine recognition
• 6 kids absent
• painting without mishaps
• getting Saturday work done on Friday
• report cards are started
• I am ready for tomorrow
• when I rock a job interview
• even in French
• 8 absences makes for a quiet day
• the gym will eventually get easier
• warm yard duty weather
• the housing I have
• job offers
• moments of calm
• sandal time
• friends
• Ron and Haji and ice cream in the sun
• tires changed
• sunscreen weather
• breaths of air
• perspective
• appointments
• morning worktime
• making rice
• almost done the learning skills
• barre — one day I will have a core again
• when 6 kids go home early
• getting caught in the rain is a sort of adventure
• birthday dinner with the fam
• air in my tires
• good people
• walking places
• the guy who led me to nuclear medicine
• it’s bedtime
• what goes down must come up
• an impartial third party
• perspective
• when all the drama queens are absent
• when I decide something isn’t for me
• when I finish my math comments
• when I get a gel seat cover for $2 at a yard sale
• Buffalo
• life on a bike, where downhill is great
• possible apartment
• feeling okay
• cheerful, even
• extra prep
• not minding the heat
• the apartment is acceptable
• dodged a bullet
• when it nearly rained, but didn’t
• when it rained while I was at the gym, but not before or after
• finishing report cards
• walking downtown
• 10 minutes at the market
• the brave ones who crossed the border to come eat pasta with me
• when certain people are absent
• a peaceful day
• a private phone call
• feeling okay
• feeling almost happy
• nachos with Noella
• functionality
• definitiveness
• defensive drivers
• exercise
• redemption
• gym
• a walk in the park
• French poetry
• liking singing
• perfect weather to wear a French sundress
• being calm
• new thoughts
• openmindedness
• human beings
• quirky places
• safe neighbourhoods
• kind neighbours
• my kids are cute again
• approved for apartment
• reports are okay
• the end of the stress is coming
• Corina’s blanket
• the tea in my mug
• buying paint and plants
• nesting
• planting in the sun
• laundry on the line
• I had three good years here
• I could walk to choir practice
• I got my laminating done
• a swim with a friend
• finding the prodigy logins
• hard candy
• when I have no duty
• a full tank of gas
• an interesting audiobook
• negotiations
• La poule Maboule will save my week
• snack day
• concerts around the corner
• Noella’s staple remover
• hammock time
• ready for book club #1
• perfect temperatures
• bike locks can be replaced
• ever so slightly happier than usual
• doing away with expectations makes everything more pleasant
• Q is okay
• teaching music feels good
• N is okay
• packing is almost done
• painting will happen
• no blame
• painting is happening
• almost ready
• ready
• love notes from little people
• and well-wishes from big people
• and a little bit of Bach
• Ps and VPs who care
• newness = possibility
• the Home Depot
• buttery popcorn
• losing weight
• migraine naps
• double bikes
• summer fun
• change of scenery
• change of action
• change of thoughts
• holiday mentality
• movies with the boys
• free advice
• fried fish
• a border-crossing in my future
• PC points
• barbeque bonding
• free eye exams and bloodwork
• OHIP
• I can choose how to live my life
• only burning the sausages a little bit
• packing help
• blinds are purchased
• plans are made
• half-packed
• the lady came back
• and was nice
• my mom, a packing wizard
• art on yellow walls
• mom, a cleaning machine
• and the essence of empathy
• a small composter
• slowly making progress
• the end is in sight
• mom wiped out my cupboards
• almost settled
• cheerful walls
• bright colours
• finishing rooms
• paying my customs fees
• best pizza ever
• falls without injuries
• someone to help me over the bumps
• laminating help
• swimming weather
• FALLOW
• good what-ifs
• nice appliances
• things can be replaced
• how one’s perspective changes among like-minded others
• at least I didn’t leave my glasses in a hotel room
• they were only an hour away
• all the ways people enrich one another
• at least my sweater is only 45 minutes away
• sparkling water and granola bars
• worms rehomed
• me rehomed
• a successful bike ride
• perfect weather
• half pints
• a bigger bathroom
• with a toilet that flushes
• I can tuck my hair behind my ears
• people who are always happy to see me
• the hair will grow eventually
• cancellations
• edgy haircuts
• cheerful artwork
• colourful blankets
• smooth pavement
• windows that open
• private laundry
• oil pastels
• rainwater that reaches my plants
• things that fit in a suitcase
• good, challenging workouts
• safe travels
• encouraging words
• doing what I like with people I like
• floating in a lake on a hot Saturday afternoon
• dock yoga
• board games on a Sunday afternoon
• good reasons for tears
• not going on a boat ride
• finally arriving
• not having to drive
• new digs
• people who put up with me
• solutions sought
• compassion
• compatible roommates
• generous friends
• when people don’t force me to talk
• I might be starting to warm up
• whale fins
• contributing
• a pleasant afternoon
• surviving the un-date
• even without a jolie robe
• a nice memory
• smooth travels
• uber
• a fridge full of food
• dishwasher arrived
• three good meals
• rollerblading is fun again
• Canada won gold
• rollerblading, biking, and swimming all in one day
• family time
• turkey dinner in August
• writing poetry
• ketchup on burgers
• accent improvement
• Micah time
• all being well
• I like my bedroom
• at least I have a car
• a man with initiative
• it only rained a little bit
• my dishwasher works!
• survived another first date
• newish cargo cover
• no one will know if I do it or not
• pears and ice cream
• my prescription came in
• I’m not teaching 4-8 music and art
• beginning to like my apartment
• having a music room in my apartment
• bare cupboards
• clean surfaces
• nice people
• friendly staff
• printing at last
• and a key
• and laminating
• on track
• survived the filling
• got lots done
• not freaking out about my 23 kids
• taking RCFI’s surplus to LAFI
• an adequately stocked classroom
• emergency crayons and erasers
• finding enough pochettes at four dollar stores
• finding magnets at Wal-mart
• we got the bench in the cars
• rollerblading is easy now
• perfect swimming weather
• a day without working
• a break in the rain for rollerblading
• my new job will only be new for a little while
• it’s not rocket science
• he was stopped
• I did the brave thing
• a surplus of food
• being physically ready
• if not mentally
• no one got lost
• the one who peed had a change of clothes
• I had help
• we’re getting there
• they can line up, sit on the floor, sit at their desks, and be quiet
• I’m in a band!
• time to walk in between school and choir, even on a staff meeting day
• a warm, choral hug
• I finally taught a math lesson
• and an arts lesson
• agenda, calendar, and AIM all in one block
• helpful LSTs
• journals and erasers
• slicking tomatoes
• the rain stopped
• half a swing on my porch
• a nice neighbour
• a nice bike ride
• pool noodles
• S thinks school is nice
• my car isn’t that colour
• I have more than enough content to work with
• my appliances work
• I don’t have mice
• chick peas are good for me
• eventually I will figure this out
• don’t worry about the timetable, she said
• I’m sort of settling in
• there are nice pockets in my neighbourhood
• I don’t live in a highrise
• it’s almost like having a townhouse
• there are colours around me
• I’m not a bus driver
• imitrex
• diagnostic help
• it never happens here that I open my shower curtain to see a giant cockroach (but three years later, I still find myself bracing for it)
• apology/appreciation cards
• at least there are no screamers, criers, or runners
• somebody might have learned something
• not biking in the rain
• lentil curry soup
• not having to skimp on groceries
• not being functionally late
• getting new band music
• plenty to eat
• my neighbour has no pets
• I have materials
• there are people to help
• no one’s counting minutes
• I don’t have a flat tire
• I don’t have to do everything perfectly
• there are only 9 months left of school
• colouring pages
• the CBC indigenous music playlist
• finishing diagnostics
• sun
• four hours of flute playing makes for one rubbery, but happy face
• a swing on my porch
• and a spring in my step
• permission to not be awesome
• choir feels good
• sufficient pizza
• pleasant parents
• the new alto will become a tenor
• tomorrow I will wear a warmer sweater
• at least I didn’t spill all my tea
• when the chatterbox is away
• a day of normalcy
• wise words from a human face
• relative calm
• more relative calm
• feeling about a month away from being competent
• a ride to Michigan
• warm clothes and blankets
• a break from the routine
• family time
• rollerblading with Joc

Want more?

2021 Gratitude List

2020 Gratitude List

2019 Gratitude List

2018 Gratitude List

2017 Gratitude List

2016 Gratitude List

2015 Gratitude List

2014 Gratitude List