2019 and An Attitude of Gratitude

More than one time on the 273rd day of 2019, I found myself in conversation with people.  And, each time, on 9/30/19, the conversation turned to my kids.  I do not mean to brag, but people, today, kept telling me how great Alexa and Anna are.  I, of course, agree, but it's nice to hear it from others.  My gratitude tonight is for the fact that my daughters make me proud.  Man, they really do!

Although it is Sunday, we did not go to Church on the 272nd day of 2019.  Why?  I'm glad you asked!  Well 9/29/19 was the day of the Oaklyn Town Picnic.  And it was a great day (I mean, with 272 and 929 how could it NOT be???)  I love seeing our community rally together for these events and I truly enjoy living in a slice of "small town" while having resources of Philadelphia right near by for the Big City vibe.  Our whole family worked the grill together today so we had family bonding, had fun. served others, and enjoyed the picnic.  What could be better than that??  My gratitude is for the Oaklyn Town Picnic tonight and I wait to see, in the Summer when the Eagles' Schedule comes out, when our next fun picnic experience will be.

In the evening of the 271st day of 2019, the Sherr Family, for the last time in 2019, went to cheer on the Philadelphia Phillies.  It has been a disappointing season, in my opinion, but I have always been of the philosophy that a bad day at the ballpark beats a good day in many places.  So we sat, on 9/28/19, in our usual seats, the ones I get to buy from Dr. Kramer, and enjoyed a win and three homeruns!  That's a lot of bell ringing in the outfield!  I am so grateful for Dr. Neil Kramer and the opportunity he gives us, each year, to buy a smattering of games and to create family memories, and to watch our Phighting Phils.  We'll be back, next year, 4/2/2020 is the Home Opener!  "There's always next year!"

So at 2:55PM on the 270th day of 2019 the parents of Collingswood High School got a text to read our email.  In the email in the afternoon of 9/27/19, there was a letter from the CHS Principal telling us about an incident in the School where a gun was found in a student's backpack after other students reported seeing it to the School Counselors.  There is no question at all where my gratitude lies tonight.  It lies with those students who saw something and said something and with the counselors, teachers, and administration of the school that handled it swiftly and without alarm.  The overall event saddens me and makes me nervous, but at least when something like this happened, the procedures were followed and worked well.  Not sure how long it will take me to get to sleep tonight, but I will not stop thinking about this for a while.

It has been a crazy week and the news on the 269th day of 2019 is churning and churning.  So, to escape from the "real world" on 9/26/19, I turned to sports.  And, yes, the Phillies were again disappointing, but, WOW, the Eagles pulled it out (I am still not sure how).  So, tonight, my gratitude is for sports as a distraction from reality.  It seems with each passing day, I need more and more sports.  :-).

I know it's one of those contrived holidays (most are, right?), but I was happy to celebrate National Daughters Day on the 268th day of 2019.  So I spent a lot of 9/26/19 reflecting on how amazing my kids are.  They are growing up to be really cool, smart, sweet, beautiful people and they make me proud almost every day.  So tonight, my gratitude goes to my amazing daughters.  I hope and pray they stay as amazing as they are and cannot wait to see what is in store for them in the future.

It was the culmination of months of work on the 267th day of 2019.  On 9/24/19, the citizens of Oaklyn headed to the polls to vote on the School Bond Referendum to provide our K-5 town school with a new HVAC System (Warm), a Security Vestibule (Safe), and new Windows to prevent mold and leaking (Dry) as well as a new roof (more Dry!)  I have worked for the past few months with OEF and the PTA and the people in favor of the "Warm, Safe, and Dry" Referendum.  And today, the vote was positive with a 4::1 margin.  So, my gratitude flows for the YES VOTE.  And for the people of Oaklyn who overwhelmingly supported the kids and teachers of the town..... this is so good for the school, for the town, for us all.  WAHOO!

On the way to work on the 266th day of 2019, I did not feel right.  I was light headed and nauseous and was rapidly getting fatigued.  So I turned around, called out sick, and went back home for 9/23/19.  So, while not grateful that I did not feel well, I have gratitude for being able to rest on a sick day.  Not all working people have that luxury, so I feel lucky and blessed that I did today.  And now, feeling better, I head to bed and hope I still feel better tomorrow AM.

Sundays usually start at Church and the 265th day of 2019 was no different.  On 9/22/19, at Old First, we celebrated the 292nd Anniversary of our congregation but also honored Michael Caine as he celebrated 10 years of ministry with us.  It was a wonderful, poignant, uplifting service and so, tonight, my gratitude goes to the first 10 years of Michael W. Caine.  Looking forward to the next ten+ years!

It was a pretty relaxing day for me on the 264th of 2019.  While Alexa and Sarah got up early to volunteer at the PTA Mum Sale, I was able to sleep in.  In the afternoon of 9/21/19, we went to Mapleshade to play a Fall Ball Softball game in summer-like weather (today is one of the last days of summer and all....).  It was sunny and we were in the less protected dugout (from the sun at least).  The girls were really hot, but I did not notice myself being as hot as they were.  I realized that, for me, it truly is not hot temperatures that bother me as much as the humidity.  So tonight, I am grateful for low humidity and that I will sleep nicely tonight (because I did turn on the AC, it's gonna be close to 90 tomorrow!)  Goodnight!

Age gives one better perspective.  I wish I knew then what I know now on the 263rd day of 2019. And that is that I have a great sister.  I did not appreciate that enough growing up (we have gotten along a LOT better since I moved out and went to college).  But today, on 9/20/19, I was happy to wish her a Happy Birthday and reflect on how wonderful she has been as a sister.  I am grateful tonight for having a great sister.  Too bad 12-year old Me did not know that.  Glad I do now!

So I was driving home from work on the 262nd day of 2019.  Happy because of the numerology of today (262, 9/19/19, 9:19:19 (twice)).  And as I turned on to the penultimate street in my commute, I heard the familiar song and saw the truck.  That's right, on 9/19/19, the Sherrs had dinner backwards since I jumped out of my car and got us all treats from Mr. Softee.  It's a treat we have less often than we used to (because we want to eat better), but tonight I am grateful for Mr. Softee and the truck being in the right place at the right time.  It really hit the spot!

After work on the 261st day of 2019, I found myself at the Inn at Penn having Dinner with Mayor Kenney from Philadelphia. Well, on 9/18/19 I was not the only one.  It was the annual dinner for the Mayor’s Scholars Program at Penn. And Mayor Kenney laid out his plans and encouraged these young Philadelphians at Penn to engage with their city and to stay after Graduation.  I am grateful for the Mayor’s Scholars Program, both for assisting me with the first few years of college and also for providing the current students with great events such as tonight. These brilliant young students give me hope!

It was a busy, busy afternoon evening on the 260th day of 2019 (this is why this is being posted a day late, I collapsed and fell asleep last night before I could post.....).  First there was Colls FH vs. Haddon Township (ended in a 1-1 tie but went into OT).  Then Sarah and I rushed to the School for the Senior Trip Parent Meeting and then we finished 9/17/19 in Delran with a Softball Game (7-1 win!)  The beautiful weather made it easier and it was tiring, but a lot of fun!  And as I sat in the dugout as bench coach for the Fall 2019 Mustangs, I smiled ear to ear.  Once again, Bob and Shawn have put together a team of amazing kids who love the game and play it right.  And it was fun to coach them and, win or lose, I know it's going to be a great season.  My gratitude Tuesday night flowed for Fall Ball.  Softball is so fun, and in the fall, with this team, it's going to be great!

As I was driving to work on the 259th day of 2019, a tribute to the recently departed Ric Ocasek came on the 80s on 8.  And, on 9/16/19, I lingered in the van, even though I was parked in the garage already, until the song was over.  I heard the song again on the way home today, so I think, for tonight's gratitude we need a song of the day to represent my gratitude for the Cars' magical music.  So glad they were inducted into the Hall of Fame before Ric passed.

Since it is 9/15/19, the 258th day of 2019 is still in the Summer.  Yes, September is a "Fall Month," but Fall does not start until much later this week.... So it was fitting that we, after Church, took the Youth Group tubing.  And, yes, I went in the tube along with four other adults and eight youth.  And, because there is a danger of everything getting wet (it did!), I left my cellphone in the van.  So, for the first time in forever, I went 5 hours off of the grid!  Longest waking time off the grid in the longest time.  And it was a refreshing afternoon.  I feel ready for the work week ahead!  So I am grateful for getting off the grid and maybe I should do it more often!

Even thought it was Saturday, I spent most of the 257th day of 2019 on Penn's Campus.  On 9/14/19, however, I was on the "other side of the fence."  I attended the Alumni Reunion Leadership Conference since I have joined the committee for my 30th reunion on Alumni Day 2020.  I have to admit, I had more fun than I thought I would and it looks like we have a group of really fun and excellent people to work with.  So, tonight, I am grateful for the Class of 1990 30th Reunion Committee.  I cannot wait until we bring back more members of the Class of 1990 than a 30th Reunion has ever seen (competitive much?)  :-D.

It was a full moon, Friday the Thirteenth on the 256th day of 2019.  But this day was not eerie nor unlucky at ALL!  After work, we hustled back over to Philadelphia to have dinner with our friends Mike and Sylvia.  Luckily they had a gift card to Stephen Starr restaurants, so we were able to, on 9/13/19, go to Buddakan and it was SO GOOD!  So, tonight, my gratitude is for awesome food, and awesome friends!  And it's time to take myself to bed!

There was supposed to be a softball game on the 255th day of 2019.  But at 5PM on 9/12/19, the skies opened up for 90 minutes and it POURED.  And, although are game was not supposed to start until 8PM, the field was unfixable in time.  I was sad.... but I decided to make the best of it, and got some needed tasks finished.  So I am not grateful for the rain out but, I am grateful for unexpected time.  Goodnight!

9/11/19.... Palindromic yet solemn.  I spent most of the 254th day of 2019 reflecting on 9/11/01.  And you can see my Dad's essay on my News Feed here.  But what it illuminates for me is how lucky we all are that my dad was late that day and he and his friend decided to breakfast in a hotel instead of at Windows on the World.  So, I guess, my gratitude tonight is for my tardy Dad.  Whenever things get overwhelming and I am running late, I often think of this day and consider that maybe, JUST maybe it's better off to be late.  I hope that if you are running late, and feeling overwhelmed, try to consider it that way.

Although yesterday's Day # was a palindrome, on Day #253 of 2019 palindromes were on my mind.  9/10/19 (91019) is the first day of ten straight palindromic dates.  But what made me smile, is that so many people contacted me, on FB, FB messenger, text, email, and more - ensuring that I enjoyed the start of these palindromic days.  So, tonight, I am grateful for palindromes, not just because I think the numbers are cool, but because it connected me with many people I have not spoken to in a while. <3 .

As the 252nd day of 2019's workday came to a close, a tragic announcement came to us all over an email.  One of our newer colleagues on campus has taken his own life this morning.  So 9/9/19, even though it was a double palindromic day (in advance of the upcoming palindrome week) with 9/9 and #252), the day was a hard one.  It's on hard days such as this that the spiritual discipline of finding something positive for this post may be difficult, but it's really important that I do so.  I did a lot of thinking driving from work to my Church meeting and then from Church to home.  My gratitude is for Penn's Employee Assistance Program.  During a rough patch in my career and life, I turned to them for, well, assistance and I was able to see a counselor who helped me through my issues.  It is so important that, when we are hurting, we get the help we need.  And it is important that the stigma of depression and other mental health diagnoses gets diffused...

The 251st day of 2019 is a Sunday.  And, like many Sundays, we started off at Church on 9/8/19.  And this morning was Welcome Back Sunday so it meant the Choir was back in session (YAY!) and it also meant our new organist was starting today.  His playing was fabulous today.  At one point, the hairs on my arms went up and I got goosebumps.  Not to get all spiritual on FB, but when I get goosebumps from amazing music at Church (as I often do), I feel that the Holy Spirit has touched me at that time.  And today, I felt that, which went great with Pastor Michael's sermon themes that "God is here, and you (we congregants) are wonderful!"  Today I felt God's presence and, yes, I felt wonderful.  So I am grateful, tonight, for organ music that moves me.  And grateful for all that made this morning's services such an amazing experience for me.

The 250th day of 2019 was a September Saturday.  September Saturdays typically include watching college football on TV and 9/7/19 was no exception.  What WAS unique today was that we were watching Army vs. Michigan and #3 on Army is FB Sandon McCoy.  Sandon is the son of my Sister-in-Law's sister, so, although not related by blood, we have seen Sandon at many family functions and we are aware of the hard-working, humble, young man that he is.  So you can imagine how happy we were when we saw he scored a Touchdown!  And to hear the announcers praising his play was also really great.  I am so grateful that I saw Sandon on TV and very proud of the football player (and, better yet, young man) he is becoming.

Those who know me, know that I like working in groups.  They also know that I like to solve problems.  And, on the 249th day of 2019, I got to work with my colleagues at Penn and we solved some problems (I think) on 9/6/19.  I am grateful for problem solving with colleagues.  Was a great way to end the week!

We had the first of many meetings of Senior Parents from CHS on the 248th day of 2019.  9/5/19 was the College Bound Senior Parent meeting and we got a lot of good advice from the Director of Counseling at the high school.  There was a lot of anxiety in the room (and it was just parents), but I was sitting with the parents of Alexa's classmates from OPS.  This parent group has been together since Pre-School!  And we made each other smile and even giggle during the presentation (but we did not get in trouble!)  And that's what I love about my fellow Oaklyn Villagers.  I am grateful for the Oaklyn Parents of CHS Seniors ('20).  I really hope that, even after Graduation next year, we still find times to hang out!

Well the 247th  of 2019 was a landmark day.  On the morning of 9/4/2019, we gathered on the steps of our home on the "First Day of School" for the last time.  Alexa is starting her Senior Year this week and, frankly, it is a little overwhelming thinking about all of the "lasts" (and, frankly, firsts) in the coming weeks and months.  But, in the moment, I am grateful we were all together for our last first day of High School together.  I look forward, with anxiousness and excitement, for what is in our future.

The 246th day of 2019 ended with us hosting the opening Team Dinner for the Collingswood Field Hockey Team.  It was great to see them all enjoying each others' company and, I hope, enjoying the food we cooked (and bought) as well!  I saw a lot of smiles on 9/3/19.  We look forward to a great season that starts off tomorrow against big rival, Haddonfield!  Tonight I have gratitude for Colls Field Hockey, ROLL COLLS!

So I was cleaning out the Little League Snack Stand with the (sainted) Sarah Jayne Sherr on the 245th day of 2019.  And we found ourselves with a bit too much to handle.  And I texted a few people and, BOOM, on 9/2/19 people were coming up to the stand to help (and, yes, to get some free Slushee too, but.....)  We could not have gotten everything we got done (and yes, as I stated below, I DO need to mop) without "a little help from our friends."  I am grateful for friends I can always count on.  And I am glad I have more of them than I can count on both hands....

I always love the Sunday before Labor Day and the 244th day of 2019 was no exception.  Yes, 9/1/19 (Palindromic in its own right!) was the Annual Seafood Picnic at the Walter's House (Sarah's parents in York, PA).  And, as usual, it was filled with family, laughter, lawn games, board games, great good, crab cracking, Aunt Cheri's PB Cup Cookies, Grandma Walters' Chocolate Cake, and, this year, the first annual draft in the WFFL (Walters Family Football League).  I am filled with love for the people at this picnic and am so happy that this tradition continues and is loved by all.  It is also fun to see the cousins growing up and, now, most have boy/girlfriends and it is neat to see how they fold in to the family dynamic.  My gratitude, as I head off to bed with an ear to ear smile, is for the Walters Labor Day Seafood Picnic, and to all of those who worked hard (especially the hosts) to make it as amazing as ever!