2020 Gratitude List: A Covid Thanksgiving

Did you know that Daniel Defoe, author of the iconic Robinson Crusoe, also wrote a chilling Journal of the Plague Year? This year’s Gratitude List is a sort of Plague Journal as well, with a five-month preface and a seven-month inventory of hidden kindnesses in changing times.

And so, from 2019’s indoor festivals to 2020’s back yard Thanksgiving, here are 578 tiny treasures from an otherwise tumultuous year:

• no break-ins today
• computer progress
• all that’s next
• no emergencies
• no losses
• extra chaperones
• and tomorrow we stay put
• the things that did get done
• despite the others that didn’t
• reprieve
• when someone left the meeting
• autumn bike rides
• new franco-friends
• book sales
• this is not my forever job
• TPT
• glue and syrup
• I’ve got this
• double pep talks
• running green lights
• bicycles, libraries, and votes
• leaving work at 3pm
• down duvets
• words from the past
• new choir shoes
• I have lots of brooms
• no one followed me home
• shaved ham
• not freaking out when I couldn’t find my book
• finding my book
• a clean oven
• a 5-minute drive to French
• allies
• leftovers
• central heating
• chocolate milk
• Moroccan jewelry
• compassion
• appreciation
• kind gestures
• sweet good-byes
• privacy blinds
• literary festivals
• just down the road
• grand pianos
• Goodlife Fitness
• not buying shoes
• sturdy orthotics
• NPs with power
• not going to school
• gourmet pizza
• piano time
• cathartic time with friends who get it
• girls’ shopping day
• timely snow tires
• people who sing, but not too much
• French-ease
• winter biking
• fresh towels
• anglicans
• helpful staff
• helpful spreadsheets
• baby bok choy
• library jobs
• shopping sprees
• BodyPump
• optimism
• experience
• transportation choices
• books that continue in my mind
• music connections
• sweet reunions
• the power of story
• poetry and its makers and lovers
• declining at will
• mature six-year-olds
• other people’s offspring
• bake sales
• hot yoga serendipity
• strings
• recorder fun
• possibilities
• kind people
• updates
• not hating supply teaching
• living the GoodLife
• structures
• friendly schools
• six hours/day of French
• travel memories
• plenty of 2nd altos
• lights everywhere
• cancellations
• declinations
• exhortations
• explanations
• free soup
• fuzzy pants
• the slow rebound
• boredom
• train sounds
• field trips
• being others’ top choice
• the crinkle of my down duvet
• bazaars
• baroque music
• such an assortment of memories
• excellent customer service
• rewards and exchanges
• easy days
• observations
• sound naps
• goodwill
• libraries
• thrift stores with libraries
• schools with libraries
• double gym classes
• cardio
• energy
• networking
• writerly people
• low expectations
• warm winter wear
• le petit chaperon rouge
• leaving at 11am
• big long buffer naps
• BB time at last
• best hamburger ever
• best conversation
• hermit huddle
• the end of construction
• warm family fun
• the whole family together at Christmas
• sleeping in
• new contracts
• good books
• fresh air
• those who endure my presence
• live theatre
• walking weather
• barley tea
• advil
• menno-soup
• roast beef with N
• sweet Micah, the love of our lives
• connection
• reconnection
• jigsaw puzzles
• chili and scoops
• no intruders
• popcorn
• clear skin
• walking distance
• French books at the library
• double preps
• I don’t have to go back there
• I am a friend
• LST love
• netflix at last
• phone numbers
• sleeping in
• a cozy house
• hermits
• diversions
• interview offers
• Pierre is funny
• just chill
• it’ll be okay
• small milestones
• by Friday, my French is usually pretty good
• little connections with little people
• winter wear
• meaningful conversation
• leaving early when I’m bored
• staying home when I want to
• acceptable tea
• progress
• plenty of sleep
• a picketing buddy
• again, the tea
• no evacuations today
• swapped cars
• safe drives
• fun fam
• ckeckmarks
• the car is OK
• kind adults
• helping hands and hearts
• bring hope
• nearly friends
• rest
• clean sheets
• lay a garland
• pizza
• a new entrance to the parking garage
• double naps
• incredible stories
• hugs at work
• a new choir!
• picketing pals
• bubble baths
• Canadian Tire points
• even crappy options are still options
• chocolate milk
• valentines
• birthday family fun
• multiple job offers
• smart ink
• going with the heart
• being glad I went with my heart
• picketing fun
• little boosts of confidence
• Freshco still has decently priced food
• friendly hermits
• curiosity is an excellent lure
• catered meals
• finding lost things
• not talking to people
• not waiting for TVARRIS calls
• not working at P.
• hugging gestures
• cancelled buses
• fruitful conversation
• not sliding off the road
• but mostly the cancelled buses
• glock stars
• lullabies
• the productive parts of the day
• the unproductive parts of the day
• it’s only half an hour to Strathroy
• it’s likely just a twist or sprain
• we rode the band wave for one more day
• and the whole class will be involved
• O. cared
• a tenuous reconciliation, sort of
• sleep
• increasing confidence
• my supper didn’t taste at all burnt
• finding the good knife
• having a decent day
• PA days
• classroom overhauls
• convos on the picket line
• at least I had a few good months
• and a few good references
• and I won’t have to deal with condescension any more
• nor do report cards
• wide open days of nothingness
• I will bounce back
• I always do
• VIRAL BLOGS
• MORE VIRAL BLOGS
• less viral blogs
• also confidence
• forced vacation
• forced to let it go
• the thoughtful ones
• fond send-offs
• intense rest
• sunshine through my windows
• finishing unpleasant tasks
• enjoying solitude
• finishing schoolwork
• maps
• epsom salts
• hot baths, hot chocolate, fleece pants, fleece blanket
• not rushing anywhere
• this is not a real plague
• the historic memory of which rests in our collective consciousness
• companionship
• good health
• walks and puzzles
• free Goodlife classes
• Temple Neuf
• flat pancakes
• adapters
• free delivery
• honesty
• laughter
• basement gyms
• saintly people
• not being in the U.S.
• seeing Micah’s sweet smile
• puzzles and pjs
• fiction
• laughter
• frozen mango chunks
• a safe, clean, pleasant place to be
• I have a doctor
• I had a nice staff
• I got some fresh air
• I zoomed to Morocco for yoga
• no one cares about my hair
• my country is free
• my groceries are clean
• there was a world before this worth remembering
• in general, people turn out to be kind
• positive parent calls
• forwarding stressors to others
• sausages
• sun at last
• ham dinner
• health and safety
• daffodils
• the kindly mailman
• beautiful bike trails
• seeds in earth
• the dirt is clean enough
• loving the home I have
• singing cardinals
• newness
• socialism
• an open-minded housemate
• zoom French
• Office space
• wide, empty paths
• 16 degrees
• BBQ season
• squash
• bean soup
• tranquility
• relativism
• text messages
• shelter
• not doing job interviews
• words
• my 23-year-old sewing machine still works
• we can make masks
• HW is open
• creative productivity
• improvements
• fresh air
• good health
• new muffins
• no stress
• photos to share
• and someone to share them with
• solving the crime
• in Old French
• interesting bike routes
• my current situation is not my final destination
• finding my plane ticket receipt
• a surplus of job offers
• and just the rejection I needed
• a shopping buddy
• not having a fever
• a stress-free pandemic
• sesame oil
• French yoga
• yardwork
• long walks in new old neighbourhoods
• new salad recipes
• having lime juice
• not doubling arduous recipes
• togetherness
• open windows
• daffodil forests
• breathable air
• free samples
• easy chores
• Chuck!
• not driving
• asparagus
• online appointment bookings
• suggestions (making them)
• successful, almost-normal outings
• Dr’s appointments by phone
• hope for French
• ma deuxième mère
• variety
• projects
• optimism
• more projects
• pay for work
• good French
• a warm day
• French lit!
• I “seem to be keeping up”
• liking French again
• biscuits
• wind
• nostalgia
• knees up
• not cooking
• not shopping
• a big deck to distance on
• soil, seeds, sunshine, and water
• bungee chair weather
• experts
• liberty of movement
• donors
• passwords
• unions
• sucking it up
• staying awake
• saying words
• breaks
• not saying words
• two homes
• and choice
• quiet gardens
• hammock trees
• tires changed
• platz
• stay safe have fun
• blessings
• presentation pride
• zoom outside
• rest
• a cool, dark basement
• grilled asparagus
• printing
• dirt
• coriander
• container gardens
• literature is back in my life
• sunburned shoulder blades
• sleep on demand
• outings
• the little wee library
• a surplus of reading
• utility
• a family bubble
• compliments
• pancakes and peaches
• bike time
• finding a pencil
• finishing
• starting
• pausing to breathe
• kleenex
• chnipsprat
• successes
• plans
• hopes
• phase 5 high advanced
• gourmet garden salad
• so much laughter
• every day, laughter
• postings and interviews, however unwanted
• when the zoom people start to feel like friends
• a small bit of confidence
• a generous data plan
• hotspotting
• job offers
• acceptances!
• security
• rubber stamps
• communication
• trees
• shade
• space
• school instruments
• masks
• laws
• contracts
• another new job!
• confidence
• preparedness
• hand sanitizer in abundance
• socializing
• grilled zucchini
• small groups
• jamming with Joc
• Micah time
• Chuck has returned
• no one saw me fall off my bike
• not being an octopus
• phonétique
• swimming season
• air in tires
• potatoes not that badly burnt
• clean pyjamas
• working two jobs
• eye-watering laughter
• amidst all the crazy, I’ll have a steady job
• I have a union
• callouses
• seeing Nathan
• when zoom meetings end early
• I was able to listen
• it wasn’t me
• hotpads
• scrubs
• popcorn
• essay bonding
• class reminders
• a great bike route
• Quebec
• yard sale fun
• a safe place
• diversions
• things that finish
• zucchini chocolate chip muffins
• new writer-friends
• affirmation
• PAPERWORK!
• contracts — they feel so good
• the piano survived the move
• yoga
• steak with the fam
• a home
• choices
• powerpoint
• got the printer working
• help
• excellent hearing
• honesty
• catharsis
• all’s well
• being helpful
• not being laid off
• English is close to French in the drop-down lists
• Bach on guitar
• fresh lettuce
• quaint homes
• safe streets
• being useful
• Popeye’s on the porch
• the many who care
• a break from isolation
• friends who get me
• great radio
• great hair
• waking up before my laundry got drenched
• porch fun with the fam
• knowing things
• not being displaced
• one can wash away the covid (one hopes)
• fuzzy hoodies
• principals who are human
• neighbours
• canceling things
• social ease
• that moment on the bike path when I was happy
• Karima saves the day
• people are nice to me
• I got to all the places
• I like my job
• I really like my job
• I’m not so bad at it at all
• finding the left behind things
• naptime
• reading time
• supportive colleagues
• new bike paths
• Lee Valley tea
• Christmas shopping
• other people’s computers
• double preps
• gruff people who care
• lasagnas can be replaced
• having a bell on my bike
• plenty of food
• a cart
• advice
• socks
• vocal strain
• normal French
• kids like me?
• invitations
• a weekend without schoolwork
• a weekend with books and TV
• music room hope
• Bach all day
• Why were they so nice to me???
• and will they be nice again tomorrow??
• refunds
• quiet classes
• teachers who care
• the people I was kind to
• the small moments of understanding
• not being rained on
• finding the path
• getting stuff done
• a full meal
• audiobooks
• a covid Thanksgiving