It was over 15 years ago that I came upon the idea of keeping a gratitude list, and since then I have maintained the habit of taking a few minutes each evening to reflect on the goodness of the day.  Some days are naturally radiant, and sometimes it requires some serious excavating to find a glimmer of light.  But without fail, I have always found something for which to be thankful.

Nine years ago I began the tradition of posting the year’s list to my blog each Thanksgiving.  It’s a way for me to travel through the ups and downs of the year through a lens of positivity and good humour, and to share with others the little sparkles that have sustained me through that time.  I’ll warn you — it’s a rather long read; but maybe it will inspire you to find the sparkles in your year as well.  Happy Thanksgiving!

  • Advice is just advice
  • Triage
  • When things are calm
  • When conversations go well
  • When I finish reading OSRs
  • When I remember I have pretzels in the car
  • When there is no longer a dead squirrel on my driveway
  • Getting the hang of things
  • Starting to feel settled
  • On the way to competence
  • Extra minutes in the day
  • Not having COVID
  • Nailed the band music
  • Was almost on time
  • Got my planning done
  • And my progress reports
  • Functionality
  • Apple sauce
  • Manageable work
  • Advil Cold and Sinus
  • Art class at last
  • Indoor recess in other rooms
  • No outdoor duty today
  • A basement with a big desk
  • Not being in charge
  • Well enough to work
  • My plants didn’t freeze
  • Extra apples
  • Warm enough to walk
  • Rediscovering an old coat
  • Gathering leaves in the sunshine
  • A bike ride is never wasted
  • Forgetting the snacks is not so bad after a good breakfast
  • Forgetting my bank card is not so bad when no one shows up anyway
  • When I’m not cold
  • Returning to physical activity
  • Clean sheets and a freshly made bed
  • A tidy place
  • Not running over the annoying lady’s dog
  • Clarification
  • Voice mail
  • Finding the Class Act kit
  • The things I do do well
  • Art on walls
  • Feels like home
  • Colleagues
  • Gems
  • Pavlov
  • These last little bits of daylight
  • Freshly picked sweet yellow peppers
  • A successful book club
  • Getting to the gym
  • People who paint flowers
  • Clean doors
  • No one cared if I had hallowe’en spirit or not
  • A warm November
  • I can afford to eat
  • Affirming words from on high
  • Not having a yeast infection
  • When my students behave themselves
  • And say things to make me smile
  • Laugh, even
  • I get to play music every day
  • I’m beginning to like my apartment
  • It’s all about the art
  • One step closer to friendship
  • Free pizza and popcorn
  • Vowel progress
  • Asynchronous learning
  • Sunshine for picketing
  • Getting into the zumba class
  • A day of quiet
  • Having one thing that I like in this cold city
  • That being the band
  • Saints to remember on All Saints Day
  • A friendly, welcoming church
  • Things to do
  • Possibilities
  • The new girl is settling in
  • A mechanic across the street
  • A priest around the corner
  • Getting out of bed and going to the gym
  • Heating pads
  • The Noisy One has left the building
  • Murdoch with Joc
  • Choices ahead
  • Freedom, independence, and unencumberedness
  • Friendly faces
  • Snow tires on in time for snow
  • Barre is just the antidote to traffic woes
  • (a worthwhile drive)
  • I might have found the thermostat
  • I am starting to care less about imperfections that I can’t change
  • A warm scarf on a cold day
  • My dishes are so squeaky clean
  • Siri
  • Who found my lost phone
  • Loaner cars
  • Good people
  • Free pizza
  • Safe drives in crappy cars
  • Not really losing my phone today
  • Sounding boards
  • Inertia
  • Supportive people
  • Affirmation
  • A fully peopled day
  • There are still options
  • I can sing
  • I have time in the evening for it to take 2 hours to do a 1-hour gym class
  • Getting some math planning done
  • Realizing that any outcome could be okay
  • Getting the counting assessments done
  • An uneventful day
  • Time to cut the laminating at the board office
  • Subway
  • Mild weather in November
  • Former students who remember me fondly
  • I have a calm class
  • A pleasant weekend ahead
  • Even acquaintances can boost one’s mood
  • Supports exist, for the asking
  • The feeling of having done yoga
  • Still got 2.5 hours of band in
  • Up for air
  • Tolerable days
  • A calm class
  • Pep talk potential
  • Humour
  • First flute material
  • A flute lesson
  • No indoor recess
  • Tomorrow is always different
  • I’m advanced!
  • Musical connections
  • I can read music
  • I can sing
  • I can play instruments
  • I don’t need to be a music teacher to do those things
  • Pershky and borscht
  • A social life on the horizon
  • The oboe and organ resuscitated the orchestra
  • I was able to sing
  • I’m not getting sick
  • Records of the past
  • Perspective
  • Sitting with people whose names I know
  • The calming corner sometimes works
  • The lesson plans that printed
  • Printing capabilities
  • Benefits
  • 4pm appointments
  • When I don’t have to scrape off the car
  • In general, people follow traffic rules
  • I had a good day for no good reason
  • Defensive drivers
  • New friends
  • Right hand turns
  • Happy tears
  • Concert fun
  • Bean soup
  • New boots
  • Safe drives
  • Early work hours
  • The blue cable
  • An enjoyable concert
  • Finding my charger
  • Double prep, no-duty days
  • I am going to a concert with a friend
  • I am doing auditions and living life
  • Easy no-bus days
  • When at least a few students get the math
  • A successful Bonhomme
  • Not parking at City Plaza on Friday afternoon
  • A comfortable couch
  • Stew and friendship
  • Too much free time
  • When someone calls and makes me smile
  • Work computers
  • When I have no yard duty
  • And there are croissants
  • I’m in the club!
  • Made it to Kingsville ahead of the storm
  • Power came back on
  • Family is together
  • No one seems to have caught my cold
  • Gifts given and received
  • A peaceful holiday
  • A short-ish wait at the walk-in clinic
  • Eye drops
  • A short wait at the pharmacy
  • A ride to Windsor
  • New PJs
  • Piano time
  • Exchanges
  • Clear eyes
  • Coughing less
  • A caring family
  • Micah time
  • Super pizza
  • A quiet New Year’s Eve with family
  • Not coughing
  • A quiet, dullish day
  • Avatar with the boys
  • Flute music to practise
  • Finishing the math unit
  • My car battery if fine
  • Honest mechanics
  • Flat pancakes
  • Report cards well underway
  • Manifest matinée
  • Chores completed
  • Gold medals for the home team
  • Beauty, connection, stimulation, passion
  • Loaner cars
  • A garage across the street
  • Attorney Woo
  • I love my band
  • I have a flute teacher
  • I noticed the oven was on
  • My car started all weekend
  • I can go to the library on Tuesday
  • My little space heater
  • Small moments of connection
  • Post-rehearsal socials
  • Holding my own in the band
  • Beautiful sounds
  • My car works
  • A happy day
  • Clean dishes
  • I’m in the club!
  • New choir, new me
  • My car started this morning
  • I’m learning my band music
  • My car started again this morning
  • On Saturdays I do not work
  • Not even if I should
  • It’s a day of otherness
  • Electric heaters
  • Heating pads
  • Blankets
  • Mom is in good hands
  • C is nearby
  • I have a fireplace in my music room
  • A supportive team
  • A warm bed
  • Painting
  • Art brings happiness
  • Almost being done report cards
  • Clean bedding and clean pyjamas
  • Keilke
  • Playing in bands: beauty and connection
  • Pretty snow
  • A warm house
  • Mom is on the mend
  • Liking my new choir
  • A bad lesson can just be forgotten
  • POOF – it’s gone
  • J singing “Beat It” during guided reading
  • Finishing report cards and Early ID
  • When socializing after band is the best part of the day
  • Safe snowstorms
  • Feeling like it’s manageable
  • Music just makes everything better
  • Not getting nasty notes on my car
  • At least my toilet still works
  • At least one of my neighbours is nice
  • Kind words from on high
  • Caring less
  • It’s ok if the math flops
  • Exposure
  • Band day is the best day of the week
  • When I practise, I get better
  • I live in a flute-friendly house
  • I eat what I wish
  • I will not teach Grade 1/2 forever
  • Half done the year
  • One of my three is leaving
  • A wonderful flute teacher
  • Band connections
  • The days when the children win
  • Having more time than work
  • The mouse was dead
  • I did not throw up when I picked it up
  • My arsenal: traps, wipes, gloves, peanut butter, and expensive gadgets
  • There was no one else involved
  • My bumper didn’t fall off
  • R taped it up for me
  • It will be okay
  • Empty traps
  • Skipping the vestry meeting
  • French connections
  • Yesterday is yesterday
  • Getting to the car place before 5pm
  • Things that make heat
  • Post-rehearsal socializing
  • Finding old songs on my computer
  • I will teach children to sing
  • Wednesday evenings are for laziness
  • The days when I get to teach music
  • My car has stayed together all week
  • Chowder and film with H
  • Band and French connections
  • Not feeling lonely
  • Chili in the fridge
  • A play on Super Bowl Sunday
  • Surplus dilemmas
  • Meeting neat people
  • Singing with kids
  • My dishwasher works well
  • My apartment is comfortable
  • I have a music room where I spend time each day
  • My bumper should be okay on the 401
  • I have choices
  • Next year is a big birthday year, thus justifying a big trip
  • I have friends
  • And one even lives here
  • The opera with my Peterborough peeps
  • And band with my London peeps
  • = a perfectly happy day
  • With thanks for a largely uneventful, though stressful drive
  • Long weekend day of rest
  • Another day of rest
  • When I can actually play my band music
  • Ginger beer at Beertown
  • I helped A through his day
  • I accomplished things
  • Snow days
  • All is well
  • That ends well
  • More safe travels
  • I am going on an adventure
  • I love band
  • A stable month
  • Another safe drive
  • Band is fun
  • Even when I am the weakest link
  • I managed to chop up the boulder at the end of my driveway
  • A carpet in my classroom
  • When I teach less
  • When the ice melts
  • When my car stays together
  • When I stay together
  • It’s really not a big deal driving around with duck tape on my bumper
  • Not being late despite London traffic
  • Not going anywhere near Toronto traffic
  • A strong back
  • Not driving in the storm
  • A very warm coat
  • A better shovel
  • I am able-bodied
  • Lunch with Jennifer
  • Dinner with mom
  • Out ‘n Back catering
  • Band and conversation
  • = beauty and connection
  • When my neighbour gets his karma
  • The snow will melt
  • At least I don’t have to wear kevlar
  • Evenings off
  • A soundproof music room
  • My class, compared to others, is pretty good
  • For now
  • My bulletin board looks fantastic
  • No plow poop to shovel
  • That I checked my email before leaving work
  • When I find a parking spot downtown right away
  • When I’m on time despite myself
  • When I’m not cold
  • When I’m in tune
  • Easy, though questionable parking spaces
  • I do things despite the fear
  • Nailed the Schubert
  • Pleasant company
  • Being of some help
  • I was there
  • I am here
  • ICU
  • Capable nurses and doctors
  • C and D are there
  • Support
  • My new student is smart and adorable
  • Maybe the next new one will be, too
  • Sleep
  • My other new student is smart and adorable
  • I have bugs instead of mice
  • Kids who can count
  • Mom is getting better
  • No more snowbanks
  • Being kind and good-humoured
  • When they make harmony and it sounds good
  • When I finally find a parking spot I can manage
  • In general, I have more space than I think I do, rather than less
  • My kids, at least, can read
  • There are things I do that are not work
  • And people who say hello, how are you
  • Sparkly dishes
  • Getting things done
  • Caring less about the impossible
  • When people visit me
  • A choir that is friendly and stunning
  • Someday I will not teach math
  • A band that is friendly and incredible
  • Outdoor recess
  • A screen protector that did its job
  • And got replaced for $20 in five minutes
  • When my expectations are so low that any success is a pleasant surprise
  • When I am at ease with myself
  • When there are no snowbanks to navigate around
  • Tax refunds
  • Days off
  • Tender lamb
  • Family time
  • Having a heart
  • Moroccan soup
  • Baseball bonding
  • An afternoon in the sun
  • When yard duty is warm
  • When my bandmate is there
  • New jeans
  • Soon I will know my fate
  • Survived without Smart Ink for a day
  • I’m not at P.A.
  • No split grade next year
  • I can ask parents for supplies
  • I have a steady, well-paying job with a good pension
  • When my classroom is warm enough to wear sandals to school
  • When everyone is hot and tired and thirsty and all they want is to put their heads on their desks with the lights out
  • At least it’s not that job
  • Or that one
  • Brilliant weather
  • Every now and then it’s okay to have chips for supper
  • And then eat lentils for a week
  • N is okay
  • A friendly choirmate
  • I like my bandmates
  • Solidarity
  • People who deal with the ants
  • Satisfying naps
  • Flute competence
  • Not teaching intermediate
  • Well-behaved children
  • Weekends to look forward to
  • La mélodie du bonheur
  • I am Julie Andrews
  • While there are positives I don’t have, there are also negatives I don’t have
  • Good friends reunited
  • Someone came to help with choir
  • Time to practise and sleep before going out
  • Every safe drive
  • Only talking when I feel like it
  • Bedtime
  • When A writes a whole page in French
  • And I’m so proud
  • I am housed, employed, secure
  • I am healthy
  • I am alive
  • My family is safe
  • I live in a peaceful place
  • A day with great people
  • Puzzly family fun
  • Rollerblading season
  • I like my choir
  • When the band music gets easier
  • When the children burst into song
  • When the chili is delicious
  • My children sing beautifully
  • And sometimes lustily
  • Efficacious couch naps
  • My little Von Trapps stole the show
  • I remembered that I forgot my parking pass
  • I have two people in London to text
  • When the kids are funny
  • When there is enough to eat
  • There is always enough to eat, theoretically
  • When I get free plywood, cut to size
  • When I get to the bake sale just on time
  • When there are friendly people in my life
  • My choices are still good ones
  • The chicken stew is tasty
  • I did my school prep early in the day
  • Their parents will teach them to brush their teeth
  • When I can warm up the house by opening the windows
  • I like the people in my choir
  • It’s not winter any more
  • No one has rejected me lately
  • Suitable conversation
  • Little bits of progress
  • No one will steal my swing
  • In the end it’s quicker just to make stuff
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Experiments that work
  • Possibilities
  • Whee!! I’m a music teacher again!
  • All the things there’ll be no more of
  • And all the things there’ll be
  • House white on the patio
  • When my bike isn’t stolen
  • Report cards well underway
  • Caring less each day
  • Brownies
  • This year (this job) will end and be no more
  • One day, it will work itself out (the housing dilemma, I mean)
  • Everything feels lighter
  • Eggs and oatmeal in the fridge
  • No more GB+ for me
  • No more permission forms, BAS, learning skills, parent calls, fractions
  • No more MATH
  • No more class placement meetings
  • I reiterate: no more math
  • 50% of Marie Antoinette done
  • 50% of report cards done
  • Good buns
  • A family
  • BBQ
  • Rollerblading
  • My favourite hat is not in a hotel room somewhere
  • Of the job, house, and husband, at least I have the job
  • Day 2
  • Wednesdays
  • Got it all done
  • A successful book fair
  • Despite the fire drill
  • Finishing BAS and GB+
  • Risotto and stuffed squash
  • When the landlord is feeling generous
  • When mom and I are puttering in the garden
  • When I get mammograms instead of going to work
  • Rototillers
  • Triple mix
  • I have choices
  • I do not teach grade one, except in practice
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Beautiful planting weather
  • I have a friend
  • Who thinks I’m funny
  • Veggie garden planted
  • Noticing that my daybook was off by a day the day before it mattered
  • An understanding flute teacher
  • Salvaging my hosta
  • Meredith had a kleenex
  • Lunch with colleagues
  • An adult day
  • When I actually get through to the people I am calling
  • When it rains and I don’t have to haul six buckets of water to my garden
  • A choir I like
  • Sprouted seeds
  • The pride guy who fixed my bike chain
  • Choir: beauty and connection
  • A 50-foot hose
  • Rain on the garden
  • An uneventful day
  • No more painting
  • A helpful flute lesson
  • Meat pies
  • People who do all the talking
  • Compliments
  • More compliments
  • My friend is coming
  • Travel plans
  • Meaningful conversations
  • Friendship
  • Good digestion
  • A functional bike cover
  • Hope
  • A peaceful day
  • When the parent phone calls go okay
  • When the choir people are friendly
  • When there is pizza at meetings
  • Another successful day of not losing my favourite hat
  • A smooth field trip
  • No melt-downs, not even over popsicles
  • The end of oatmeal and pitas is in sight
  • Packing is going well
  • Getting the laminating cut before 4:30
  • Benign results and extra tests
  • Gym classes to relieve tension
  • Naps to relieve boredom
  • I have income, food, and shelter
  • I have books and netflix
  • Not hanging around for someone else’s midlife crisis
  • Finding white impatiens at Home Depot
  • Calm days
  • No more yard duty
  • No more math!
  • Maybe no more renting
  • Maybe it has a wet basement anyway
  • Painless staff parties
  • No OSR filing next year
  • No CLST paperwork
  • I don’t have to buy a house if I don’t want to
  • No walking students to the back to be picked up
  • No making sure people don’t forget things
  • Summer!
  • Family
  • Optimism
  • Forward-thinking
  • Plans
  • Not having to swim in cold water
  • Togetherness
  • Not teaching
  • Pooltime
  • Being here
  • BBQ chicken thighs
  • Mortgage specialists with initiative
  • Pre-approvals
  • Errands done
  • Shoes purchased
  • Guests hosted
  • Dresses viewed
  • When my favourite people are together
  • When the weather is nice for weeding
  • When my tomato plants tower
  • Still not cancer
  • Sunscreen, chlorine, and sunshine on my body
  • Perfectly grilled salmon steaks
  • Clean, swept streets
  • Decisive shopping
  • When the numbers go up
  • When the printer works
  • Not getting caught in the rain
  • French Lit fun
  • When the book finally starts getting interesting
  • When I find used books at discount prices
  • Weeding in the sunshine
  • Followed by a swim
  • That creepy Icelandic movie was just a movie
  • Having a nice time socializing
  • Having Iceland to talk about
  • A new friend
  • Steady, acceptable work
  • I’m not allergic to wasps
  • Not getting caught in the rain on my rollerblades
  • Fresh vegetables
  • I have everything I need
  • When you think the series is over and you discover there’s one more episode
  • When you have helpful conversations with insightful people
  • And that provides clear direction
  • The power’s on in London
  • I am occasionally of help
  • I still have three months to find the right house
  • My diva cup
  • Rollerblading warms one up
  • Drama games on the internet
  • Good books
  • Hamburgers
  • Useful resources
  • September is planned
  • Iceland awaits
  • All is well
  • Five days till I’m sitting in the Blue Lagoon
  • Good problems
  • Positive options
  • I can do either one
  • Thankful to have a choice
  • I have a reset button
  • It is called “Iceland”
  • New jeans
  • No pain
  • Relaxing days
  • Clean laundry
  • Good gifts
  • Bacon
  • Rollerblading weather
  • Saving money
  • Nice weather
  • Things to do
  • A day with family
  • Not forgetting my cup
  • Having a friend and three-quarters
  • CBC has revived This is That
  • Productivity
  • Imitrex
  • Soft potatoes
  • Not being a homeowner
  • Being here to help
  • E-books
  • Long summers off
  • Selfless people
  • It wasn’t essential that I buy TP today
  • My plumber thinks I’m looking good
  • A classroom with a piano
  • People who are happy to see me
  • Noticing that I’d given myself an extra yard duty
  • Having Iceland to talk about at social events
  • Finishing the laminating
  • And cutting
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Friends who help me set up my classroom
  • Being ready for school (ish)
  • It’s not winter
  • It’s not raining
  • I wasn’t on my way somewhere
  • My phone didn’t die
  • The uber guy waited
  • I’m home safe and sound
  • Routine resumes tomorrow
  • The rental is easy to drive
  • Apple CarPlay
  • No accidents today
  • Friendly teachers
  • A warm classroom
  • Being good at my job
  • Buying the extra insurance
  • The independent ones
  • The eager one
  • The ones who struggle, but hold it together anyway
  • Feeling at home in the band
  • Socializing with the choir
  • Not dreading Monday
  • I’m not in my neighbour’s shoes
  • Messiah elation
  • Music is happiness
  • When someone saves me a seat
  • When the band music isn’t too hard
  • When I find my way there and back
  • The classes that do go well
  • The kids who don’t get lost
  • Garden salad
  • When they all get to their buses on time
  • When they all sit properly in a circle
  • When they understand the French
  • When they keep the beat
  • When the body shop goes to bat for you
  • I don’t teach math
  • I don’t have to take Grade 1s to their buses
  • I have enough prep time to do my job
  • Fresh-tasting toothpaste
  • Sci fi
  • Getting things done
  • Long showers
  • Star Trek
  • Feeling, at choir, that I am perfectly happy
  • Only embarrassing myself a little bit
  • When they listen
  • Seeing dear friends
  • Full-time, permanent work
  • Colorworks
  • Nice weather
  • An insightful therapist
  • Sharing tomatoes
  • Finding things to do
  • Museums
  • An abundance of food
  • A ride to band
  • Strawberry beer
  • Days with no yard duty
  • The ones who behave
  • When they keep the beat
  • A sandal classroom
  • He got to the bathroom on time
  • An almost 5/5 day
  • Not having COVID
  • Or even a cold
  • No circus lasts longer than an hour
  • I have a musical weekend ahead
  • Beauty and connection
  • =choir
  • =band
  • Tomatoes for the neighbour
  • I like my job
  • I am good at my job
  • All is well
  • Those nachos were so good
  • My calming corner is working
  • I am socializing
  • Meet-the-teacher night is so much better now
  • It was very nearly a 5/5 day
  • Except for the evacuation
  • I will know to evacuate in English next time
  • Everyone together and healthy for Thanksgiving