2023 Gratitude List

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