2016 Gratitude List

I am thankful for the big things: the people who make my world beautiful every day, both here in Morocco and in my other happy home in Canada; for the many places in between that I’ve been able to visit this year (twelve airports, if I’ve counted correctly!); for the rich cultures and histories that intersect my days; for meaningful work; and for the provisions that allow me to keep on living this colourful, promising life.

But every Thanksgiving, I take a few hours to collect all the smaller thanksgivings I’ve recorded throughout the year as well – those things that, at the end of each day, remind me that there is always, always a little goodness to be found, or to create, with a small turn of the mind.

Here, then, is my 2016 Gratitude List, beginning with last year’s Thanksgiving trip to an all-inclusive resort in Southern Morocco, and ending with yesterday’s roast chicken at home. I invite you to walk through my year of thankfulness with me:

• ALL INCLUSIVE mama mia
• Candidness
• Finally, a fantastic massage
• Spa girls who like their jobs
• Ocean awesomeness
• Heated pools
• Three swims in one day
• Fibroids made it through the massage
• Being served
• Being warm
• Being liked
• Reasonable traffic
• This last resort
• Hot and cold running water
• (especially hot)
• Found my foot cream
• Cooperative people
• The alphabet
• Cork is coming
• Release time
• A place to stay
• A plan
• So so so many things
• Normal toes
• Jamila will take me to the doctor
• C’s class got it
• And they might get it again one day, even if they didn’t today
• My choir kids are getting it
• I never have to worry about my earrings getting vacuumed up here
• Found rainboot heaven
• The concert will be just fine
• I will be just fine
• The surgery is neither serious nor urgent
• J.A.M.I.L.A.
• Disclosure
• Bedtime
• Found the market
• Found the fabric
• Found the seamstress
• FOUND THE CAR
• Found the mosque
• Found the seamstress again
• Found the mosque again
• Found the car again
• Did not panic
• I am confident
• Optimistic
• Not bleeding terribly heavily
• Pep-talky?
• Team efforts
• Knowing my stuff
• Joyful children
• Joyful me
• Nailed it!
• The class that didn’t show up
• Car flexibility
• Being warm enough
• Being appreciated
• Chilling out
• Got to the doctor’s and the bank
• At least I know my card still doesn’t work
• Didn’t hit anyone
• Stick shift is mostly easy
• It will be okay
• Another driving day done
• Bicycle tire is pumped up
• Hair could be worse
• There are lots of ways to warm up when you’re cold
• I can avert all the Christmas fuss
• The terminals at the airport aren’t really terminals
• I have friends with cash
• I’m still reasonably happy
• Spaghetti
• “Gloria, it will all get done.”
• That extra éclair
• Rim took me to the bank
• And the bank gave me money
• Woohoo!
• The Internet is easy for me
• I had a successful drive
• I get to place my order over the break
• Got the website sort of done
• Anticipation
• I’m ready for my visitor
• And I had a nice last day
• A friendly negotiation
• A simple pharmacy
• Ice cream
• A pretty little place to stay
• I got some walking done
• Sometimes a French lesson is just what one needs
• It was awful, but it’s over
• The best Moroccan tour guide ever!
• New friends, so unexpected
• Surprises are such fun
• A sunny, surfy day
• Yoga on the beach at sunset
• A family that loves me from afar
• Christmas without fuss
• Back to two
• Got what was needed
• It’s good to be home
• We can drop the car off in Marrakesh
• We’ve got tickets, bookings and plans
• At least I know the problem
• Finding a pencil
• Got to Madrid
• He watches out for me
• McDonald’s was open
• People are nice here
• Easy talking
• New streets
• Familiar feelings
• I brought my travel pillow
• He brought his hat
• A good day to sleep
• A spectacular meal
• Dry socks
• Second crocs
• Tea (warm)
• He eventually talked
• Eventually I will be myself again
• I am myself already
• Hotels are sorted out
• I’m sorted out
• He’s sorted out
• The frozen yogurt and the Whopper hit the spot
• Google Maps works on airplane mode
• We found what we were looking for
• Star Wars, art galleries, metro, fun
• Enough Euros to get out of the parking lot
• Caught the plane
• Caught the train
• Missed the taxi but caught another
• Patient, kind, and principled
• Lesson plans done
• It’s okay
• Back in the zone
• A life full of friends
• A life that is good
• “I will wait for you”
• “You are it”
• A bed
• Girlfriends
• People who make sense
• Sweet days
• He is alive
• Without head injuries
• People are there with him
• And they have each other
• Good girl time on the Corniche
• Friends who pray
• A dry, organized, decorated apartment
• Information
• All the normal things went normally
• Suddenly I can pray again
• People care
• Everyone is coping
• I am coping
• Spinach
• Generous portions of couscous
• A warm, dry bed
• Friends who share lunch money
• I have a satisfying job
• And plenty of cute coats to keep me warm
• God is cradling Nathan
• And me
• Sniffles departing
• A wifi hotspot under a palm tree
• Prudent leadership
• Days of rest
• I got a plane ticket
• I’m going home
• Tomorrow will be new
• It was new, and good
• Extra eclairs
• Tolerable French
• Hugs
• Flight sorted out
• There is a moon
• Rollerblading prayers
• Orff novelty
• Birthday cake
• Orff glee
• Eager singers
• Warm lunches
• Cute hats
• Space heaters
• Flexible friends
• Nathan is breathing, talking, swallowing
• Heard prayers
• Nathan is eating, joking, making us smile
• Tubes are coming out
• Lungs and bowels working as they should
• The whole family breathes at last: oh, what relief
• He will live
• And, I hope, live well
• Prayer is always an option
• A warm Moroccan winter
• A bed and time to sleep
• Someday, I will quit T.M.
• The days are getting longer
• Eventually my water heater stops wheezing
• Comments on my blog always cheer me up
• My choir likes me
• Everyone loves Orff
• A breakthrough
• Skype
• Class progress
• Choir hype
• I love my job and my job loves me
• 24 laps of prayer
• Napping power
• Kids that follow directions
• Enough to eat, and more
• Movement
• I got my money back from Mr. Bricolage
• (indirectly)
• I got bread
• I will get over this
• Lunch out, to cure my funk
• Good friends, popcorn, comfort
• Well, at least the silence broke
• Lasagna
• Bearable French
• Sweet Ann
• A Canadian passport
• Too much time
• Two good classes after the three others
• I’m not sick
• I’m not bleeding
• The big sadness always passes
• Eventually
• Every sadness lifts
• Good, good days
• At last, at last, I’m myself again
• No drama here
• Pharmacy factures
• Purse fixed on the spot!
• An outing
• Spring
• Lunch out with the girls
• Sunny, sweaty rollerblading
• Pasta Mondays
• PD funds and car payments
• Belgian chocolate
• English-speaking pharmacists
• Unlimited free laminating
• Not working in Lindsay
• Not doing 25 conferences
• One mosquito-free night
• A photo of Nathan
• SPRING
• Kind-hearted goalies
• Warm lunches
• Sunny friends at sunny beach
• Decent wine
• Liking the job I have
• The second taxi driver was not an idiot
• I was not an idiot
• I got a haircut
• I did not buy a $100 djellaba
• I’m not out in the rain right now
• I squeezed a rollerblade in
• I have plenty of food
• A generous cousin
• Rainboots
• Accommodating teachers
• Accommodating everyone
• All the birthday love
• M is not allergic to CAS meds
• My girls were passably ready and somewhat calm, sometimes
• I know how to read sheet music
• Ravioli finally
• No more girl drama
• No more diarrhea
• Still another day of weekend left
• A quiet day to get things done
• Knowing what to pay the taxi driver ahead of time
• Not getting wet
• Getting the French R, sometimes
• People who pick things up at the pharmacy for me
• And other people who phone French doctors for me
• Big, after-school naps to blot out the big, bad days
• Not having to supervise snacks at the concert
• Finding food
• Nothing blown up yet today
• I’m going hooooome
• Tomoorrrrrowww
• And I got my doc docs
• And sushi
• And fun
• Homecoming
• Brie
• Canada
• Hospital humour
• French talk
• Home home home
• Bright ideas
• Being wanted
• A doc on the job
• Christmas cheer
• A start
• The telling of stories
• An English ultrasound report
• A compassionate nurse practitioner
• A patient mom
• An empty suitcase
• Friends far and wide, up and down, all around the world
• It’s so easy to book flights and appointments. Too easy!
• Christine, travel guide
• Airbnb and good timing
• Plans in place
• I’m going to Paris!
• I went to Paris!
• Taxis, planes, shuttles, and trains all worked out
• Two awesome hats
• Some vague answers, sort of
• Art art art art art
• Enough money
• Shuttle showed up
• Gate 21 was close
• Shopping!
• Super-cousin-love
• Triple tea
• Again
• Long, glorious, life-saving naps
• Tuesdays
• Sleep, my only escape
• Longer days, longer rollerblades
• Deirdre and the duty swap
• Eleni, Andree, Carolyn, help, hope
• Better days
• Kind people
• Functioning
• Surgery booked
• Friends who help
• A weekend off
• Okay driving
• Andree
• Decisions made
• Having cleaned
• Art and flowers
• Fibroid humour
• Best friends
• French is still fun
• At least the little kids like me
• Didn’t get rained on
• Megan’s in charge
• Impermeable rubber boots
• A car to drive in the rain
• Enough French to tell the esthetician not to wax my bum
• Richard, music sub
• Leftover fish
• All the medicines that keep me functional
• Julie, Rim, Lorraine, Amelia, and the paperwork that finally arrived!
• I got to sing in a wee concert
• Scarves to share
• A job to miss
• Mother hens everywhere
• Successful surgery
• Without drama
• Easter dinner
• Spring sun
• Day off
• Another day off
• Time to read and write and sleep
• Being loved at choir
• Being able to love others
• The bleeding is tolerable
• I CAN DRIVE
• Another lazy day
• A pretty decent return to work
• I didn’t fry my tea kettle
• Successful driving and parking
• A steady drip of friends
• Nice!
• A walk to the beach
• Oranges and stir fry
• I have bottled water, hand sanitizer, and moist towelettes
• I’m not bleeding all that much
• The taxi guy was kind and honest
• I am funny sometimes, and so are other people
• Dialogue, however trivial
• I saved the sidewalk chalk for after the rain
• Easy days
• Not taking things personally
• The right flight
• Only one conference
• Back on the blades
• Hula hoops
• Movement
• Coatlessness
• ENERGY
• Warmth
• Adrenaline
• Someone was happy to see my face
• I am not doing a piano exam
• I made five stops in Casa today
• Biopsy is clear
• It’s just good to be happy
• MSA isn’t inspecting my apartment
• 4/5 of today’s classes were good – that’s 80%
• Got my medina money
• Got to ISCAE and back without my phone
• At least it’s only one butt cheek that hurts
• Wissal, my translator
• I checked my FB before leaving for choir
• I have a few friends
• There are a limited number of Wednesdays in the school year
• And I will be in different countries for the next two
• Good credit
• Rogers
• Sun on the track
• Coatless
• Largo escargot
• Cuckoo where are you
• Cream
• Pebble beaches
• French ballets
• Airplanes
• Homophones
• Layers
• Laughter
• Living the large life
• Art
• The colour blue
• Italy
• Being full
• Being funny
• Being on vacation!
• I did not hit anyone or anything with my e-bike
• Antihistimines
• People who put up with me
• Not getting caught on the train
• Being interested in things
• Having at least a little bit of a home
• Living alone in it
• Spending a whole day in it without leaving or seeing anyone
• Big sleeps
• Figuring stuff out
• Smiles from someone
• Humour
• The office
• Liking my job
• And my sub
• And my life
• Free yogurt
• Melons
• Painless packing
• Samed picked me up and spoke French with me all the way to Marrakesh
• I saw the guy smoking at the window
• Nice cabbies
• Nice cabs
• Freedom of movement
• New bonds
• Happy happy singing
• Helpful people
• People who bring me food and love me
• Joh Hannah Lyla Susan Lisa – Grace
• I got my brain back
• Layers coming off
• Puzzles
• Being good at things
• A job made for me
• Cute clothes
• White underwear
• Short sleeves
• Not having to go out if I don’t want to
• Clean rooms
• Dry laundry
• Party clothes
• Such a short walk to my classroom
• Staying home
• I like Kamalee’s curtains
• A roomy taxi
• I have a home somewhere
• My choirrrrrr… they love me…
• Piano courage
• Four stops, one evening
• Surviving the recorder
• Crossword puzzles
• Not getting drenched
• M came in before H started saying “peepee”
• Despite it all, I like my job
• Or at least I did yesterday
• Hassle-free stitch removal
• My stuff’s just up the hill
• Restorative sleep
• Garage band
• Clay’s gadgets
• Being alone
• Choir parties are universal
• Sunburn weather
• Always be thankful for satisfactory taxis
• Carolyn’s muffins
• Observation done
• Found my choir
• Conflict eased
• Joy joy
• Labeled competent
• Options
• Every day doesn’t have to be perfect
• Simplification
• Not chaperoning prom
• Got a good, good ticket
• Clean floors
• Peace and quiet
• Going home
• Clean everything
• A normal period
• All concerts eventually end
• (and usually, well)
• Tom would’ve backed out anyway
• I get to sleep now
• Some of my classes are making real music
• If I must decline a trip to France, I’m glad it’s because I’ll be in Austria
• Pleasant people
• Colleagues who are friends
• Apologies
• Double checking rehearsal days/places
• Children are so beautiful when they sing
• Competence
• Magical music
• Help moving tables
• Social fortitude
• Donkey hunts and crappy plays
• Sunburns = summer
• Kind words from next door
• Rocking Baladi
• Rocking CasaSawt
• Rocking Morocco
• Those people
• Finishing
• Beatkeepers
• Encouragers
• Good things
• Getting away
• At least the food is good
• Soon I will not be a walking beacon for rude men
• Didn’t stay lost
• Gate-side drop-off
• And pick-up
• No more G5 boys
• No more afternoons
• No more nonsense
• Catching people
• Easy errands
• Warm weather
• Sun love
• Half-days
• Eventually people remind other people to say “Good Night”
• Mixed feelings mean choices, and choices are good
• They imply options, and options mean freedom. I must be thankful for my options
• I can limit my social functions to three per day
• Practical purchases
• Sometimes I socialize
• I’m not moving far
• Happy chats about Morocco
• I can choose my vision
• I can choose gratitude, optimism, contentment
• Packing progress
• Mall proximity
• I’m not packing up a whole house
• I have a little tiny hammer
• An entirely manageable day two
• I am loved
• It will be okay
• I finished packing on time
• Empty planes
• Short lines
• Sleepy guards
• Climate control
• Helping others
• Heart chats
• CBC
• Found CDs
• Home again
• Swimming and Monopoly fun
• A touch of normality
• A library card!
• Bike time
• So many things are so easy here: hair, roads, doctors, all
• I can let that house go. It’s gone.
• And there are other houses like it.
• And even if there aren’t, I’ll be okay.
• One can return as easily as one can leave. You just get on a plane.
• Connection
• Confidence
• Solidity
• Knowing who I am
• Canada
• CBC – oh, finally!
• Extra-large tea cups
• Family fun
• Jocelyn’s bike
• Ice cream cake
• Canada blogs
• New underwear
• Duck songs
• Open windows
• Touch-up paint
• Forgiving drivers
• Modest swimwear
• A generous, energetic mom
• And her good health
• Driving ease
• Social ease
• Physical ease
• A second room in which to do French
• Probably not TB
• I drive
• His iPad
• Turkish lamb
• Extra pills in my purse
• Inspiring meetings
• A tiny bit of talking
• Not getting in accidents
• A kind and patient man
• Discussion
• Follow-up
• Perfect pool temperatures
• Pretty bike trails
• Plenty of underwear
• Holly, telus, mobile freedom
• People who sometimes talk
• Quiet days
• I don’t do all my shopping at Costco
• Rising iron
• A mom who is a friend
• My brand of products
• Ease
• I have a body that works
• I am thankful for biking and swimming six days in one week
• I get to see my love tomorrow
• So loved – so happy – so blessed
• And chatsim saved the day
• Independence and wantedness, together
• Culture everywhere
• People have beds for me
• Sarah W. in particular
• Good boob doctors
• Wise words
• Sarah’s neighbour’s phone
• Happiness with Annette
• Bacon, berries, chocolate, scones
• Cottage, quietness
• Pear products
• Soul talk
• Platinum lakes
• Antibiotics
• Hopeful diagnoses
• He talks
• A/C
• They came for dinner
• That’s progress
• I get ideas
• Dad left his story
• Mom likes to buy me things
• There’s still peace to be had
• I will be warm this winter
• Writing is a way of talking
• And reading is a way of listening
• An easy day
• The guy who fixed my bike
• They guy who gave me napkins
• Someone with a warm and generous heart
• And a perspective I need
• Happy tears
• Honest thoughts, open voices
• Milestones
• He’s not that A.H.
• Comfortable being
• Smart packing
• Girl bonding
• Paul at Shopper’s Drug Mart
• Not being cheated on
• Moments of self-tolerance
• Car-freedom-pool-time
• E-books
• Self-determination
• Walking distance
• Forgiveness
• Dentist wi-fi
• Restless returnings in sight
• Garbage trucks on narrow streets
• Upcoming adventures
• Flirting a little
• Productive car talk
• Literature
• Catching lessons
• Argan oil
• Blue jeans
• Family time
• Movies, meals, swimming
• Surrounded by kindness, always
• Travel buddies
• Sweet hellos and good-byes
• Judit who likes us and saves us money
• Hungarian buffets
• Traveling is in me
• Hungarian bread
• Thermal baths
• Subway tickets
• I followed my heart and went to the baths
• Again
• If you wait long enough, you do eventually get to the front of the line
• Caught the train to Vienna
• Travel apps
• Subway maps
• Battery lasted all day
• Still on holidays
• School can wait
• Solo adventures
• Pretty cemeteries
• Helpful Austrians
• Yucky wieners
• Resonant lobbies
• Florian carried my suitcase
• Bavaria is beautiful
• I am content
• The Fraulein Maria Bicycle Tour
• There are mountains
• Soft bread
• Francis and Giles
• Hiking companions
• Maps, schedules and photographs
• Alpine lakes
• Hearty lunches
• Happy hearts
• Salt baths in mountain valleys
• Finding my way home
• Again
• Big skies
• Home is coming
• Colours
• House help
• Food
• Back to work vibe
• Not being new
• No big requests
• Unpacking is done
• I am learning to live with someone
• I got my books!
• Gradual readjustment
• Orange juice
• Avocado juice
• Moroccan pastry
• Bright ideas
• Building plans
• Imitrex and rosé
• Construction music
• Strawberry juice
• I like my roommate
• I like my bedroom
• I like my whole apartment
• And I like my job
• My bosses
• My classroom
• I still remember how to drive a standard
• A big place to live
• Cool breezes
• Rest
• Skating and stretching
• Nice purple pillows
• Blog posts
• Cooler weather
• Enduring pilates
• Big new music rug
• Classroom progress
• Confident, relaxed preparedness
• They know how to line up, sit down, and keep the beat!
• Going to bed early
• Only being stressed out about reasonable things
• Going out and being socially functional
• Loving year two
• My choir tolerates me
• And so does my roommate
• Lasagna is done
• Hammock yoga
• Any yoga
• Acrobatics
• Lasagna success
• Tiny toenails on tiny toes
• A car to drive, daily
• 10-minute parent nights
• chill time with honest friends
• being myself again
• Venice!
• Directing my own activities
• Not getting lost or stranded
• The princess of Venice returns
• IT
• Good health
• Good children
• Good teaching
• PD in Warsaw!
• Got my photos done
• Got pool info
• Got friends
• Fresh lamb with new friends
• Christmas ideas
• Bread
• Empty parking lots
• Google maps
• Nice Midas men
• 3/3 = success
• People who park for me
• And remind me to turn my lights off
• Not having to park today
• Grade 5 victory
• Susan’s sweater
• Club soda
• New connections
• Alcohol
• Signed papers
• Easy prescriptions
• Language exchange
• GPS-weaning
• Sunday traffic
• Improvements
• CasaSawt loves me
• Yoga villas with pools and palm trees
• Feeling good
• Tango
• Impressive French
• is golden
• Yoga buddies
• Monopoly
• H & M
• Roommate love
• Lambchops and wine
• Not getting stuff done
• Not falling off my paddleboard
• Not getting covered in fish guts
• Ginger chews
• Being reasonably happy in this world
• Advil Cold & Sinus
• Mona for missed turns
• Getting caught up
• Alto heroism
• Tip top tailors
• Haircuts
• Nice children
• Life without politics
• Easy meetings
• Easy days
• Holiday booked
• Apartment painted
• Light fixed
• New stuff
• Not driving
• Not going to the medina
• Cozy, happy, yummy thanksgiving fun