Practice Gratitude

I don’t know what goal to use for this entry, but I put it here, because part of me feels grateful that it didn’t happen to my son.

This morning at 7:42am, one of Adam’s classmates was driving to the job site, where they are doing the home building course and somehow, the young man’s car went off the road and struck a tree, killing him. Adam’s class heard about what happened at noon and they were given the rest of the day off. The boys who returned to school were met by a grief counselor. I received a call at 1pm from the school, informing us about what happened. The young man was only 19 years of age and had his whole life ahead of him. His parents must be crushed. He was well known and liked by his 14 classmates.

This afternoon, I spoke with my son about what happened. He called in to work and asked if he could stay home. He didn’t feel like going in from 3pm-6pm. Later on, I kept on thinking about my son’s car mishap two weeks ago and immediately realized that it all could have been so much worse. My prayers go out to the parents of the boy who was killed. May they somehow eventually find peace after learning the devastating news from this morning and the loss of their loved one.

As our Canadian Thanksgiving approached this year, I clearly became aware of how much I have in my life and how much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow Canadian 43Thinger friends!

-Beautiful first full day of Autumn.
-Healthy and delicious food (had avocado at lunch, yum).
-A home to return to at the end of the day.
-Precious 43Things friends.
-The safe return of a friend from vacation.
-Our family pets.
-The wonders of modern medicine.
-Having an open schedule this evening.
-Friends who care about me.

-My singing friends, who want to have a rehearsal this Thursday.
-My 43Things friends, who regularly give me an emotional boost!
-The beautiful hot summer weather over the past week.
-Being able to get the wagon in for needed repairs at the garage.
-Good, fresh food, including corn on the cob!
-An old friend who spent time with me this past weekend.
-My elder son being able to find a new part-time job.
-An end to a very busy working day and that I have a job to go to.
-Enjoying reading about other 43Thingers who love their pets.

-Getting a chance to “get away from it all” for 24 hours this weekend.
-Enjoying a beautiful, sunny Sunday.
-Having a nice drive home this evening, seeing 4 deer and a fox.
-Having a station wagon so I could pick Adam and his bike up out in the middle of nowhere. ;)
-Being able to afford gasoline for the car.
-Having friends here on 43Things.
-Having food in the fridge to graze on.
-The wonders of medical science.
-Our A/C still working, although not at peak efficiency.

-Getting my son moved safely, without forgetting anything major.
-Enjoying my mini-staycation.
-The beautiful Summer weather that has just arrived.
-Friends who care about me.
-43Things.
-Medical science.
-A chance to spend time with my younger son this afternoon.
-A chance to show my younger son that I care.
-Having a job to go back to after my staycation.

-Friends who care about me and make me smile.
-Our A/C is still working, even though it qualifies as ancient.
-A beautiful late Spring day!
-A surprise cancellation of a rehearsal which gives me some free time.
-A nice conversation with a work colleague about her two sons.
-Healthy children.
-Having money in the bank to pay our final municipal taxes.
-Pets who were both happy to see me when I got home tonight.
-Free pizza lunch at work today (it was delicious!).

-The rain clearing up by the time I left work tonight;
-Two healthy sons (who give me gray hair!);
-43Things friends;
-43Things friends with good memories;
-Warmer late Spring weather;
-Having a job that allows me to work to live;
-Someone at work who asked me a technical question and I knew the answer, lol;
-A comfortable bed and pillow to rest my tired body on;
-People who put up with me when I’m feeling down.

-A warm home on a cool morning;
-The sun, peeking out of the east, in the blue sky;
-Technology;
-A comfortable pillow;
-Cold and sinus medication;
-43T friends;
-43Things;
-A job to rush off to;
-The caring that friends show to me.

-My 19 year-old son’s successful orthodontic surgery today.
-My son starting his recovery from surgery.
-The medical professionals who care for my son.
-Today’s medical technology.
-A reliable car.
-A house to come home to, after a long day.
-Good, hot food to eat.
-Friends’ blessings and well-wishes.
-Friends who care.