2019 and An Attitude of Gratitude

The 334th day of 2019 was the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  So that meant that 11/30/19 was the day of the Christmas Parade in Collingswood.  We have loved this parade since we moved into the area.  I have great memories of watching with the kids, usually in the freezing cold, with the smiles on their faces.  And now, years later, the girls were characters in the parade (Mr. and Mrs. Frosty, at that!) as volunteers with the school's Interact Club, and I drove the truck for the third annual Oaklyn entry into the parade.  And, as I drove down Haddon Ave and heard the music from the bands and saw the smiling people (especially the kids), I was filled with happiness.  And that is, I guess, why I like the Christmas season so much.  So, in the proper holiday spirit, I have much gratitude for the Collingswood Christmas Parade.  Only 363 days until the next one in 2020.

We had a very busy day on the 333rd day of 2019.  11/29/19 had to be a great day because the palindromic days are running out for 2019.  Today we got  Christmas Tree, we picked up Alexa's new (used) car, the Fall decorations were put away, the Christmas decorations were brought out, the Christmas lights are hung outside, the girls sang at the Collingswood Christmas Tree Lighting, and then, to cap it off, we all went to see Frozen 2!  Wow - I really liked Frozen 2.  It was a different kind of Disney Movie but it was amazing and enjoyable and I sang along and I got goosebumps at times and, well, it was a great family outing.  My gratitude is for Disney Movies!  I love 'em and rarely miss 'em!  Two Thumbs Up for Frozen 2!

The 332nd day of 2019 is Thanksgiving.  So we loaded up the van on 11/28/19 and headed West to York, PA for the Walters Family Thanksgiving Dinner.  And with Lauren's recent engagement, our family has grown by one.  All in all 16 people (15 Walters/Sherrs/Holdredges and Sarah's Aunt made 16) had a wonderful day.  A great meal (thanks, Winnie and Jim!), football, fun conversation, pictures, and a lot of laughter and love.  On this Thanksgiving, I have so much gratitude for family.  I cannot think of anything I am more thankful for.  Both the family I saw today, and those I could only text with, but I was with them in my heart.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The 331st day of 2019 is the busiest travel day of the year.  That's right, 11/27/19 is the day before Thanksgiving, a day when many people traveled to their destination for tomorrow's Thanksgiving holiday.  But not me!  First, I am lucky that my project allowed me to work remotely today, so I did not have to go over into Philly and, better yet, I did not have to drive back at the end of the workday.  And we are going to York tomorrow, so we stayed home tonight, to take care of the dogs (ours and our neighbors') and we'll be driving early tomorrow.  So, tonight, I have gratitude for the lack of a commute today.  It is amazing how relaxed one can be when not dealing with people on the road.

In the evening of the 330th day of 2019, I was in the Cafeteria of Collingswood HS for the induction ceremony for those students being inducted into the Foreign Language Honor Societies.  But Adam, you say, one of your kids is already inducted and the other is not eligible yet.  Yes, that is true, but in the ceremony on 11/26/19, Alexa got to give a speech, in Spanish AND English, as to what her Spanish Education has meant to her.  I was so proud listening to her words (in both languages, but I pretty much only understood the English) and I am filled with gratitude for foreign language instruction.  I do not remember liking my classes in French as much as Alexa and her classmates like theirs (in Spanish, French, German, and Latin!)  CHS continues to impress.

The 329th day of 2019 was the Monday before Thanksgiving.  That meant that 11/25/19 is Bonegiving.  This Low Brass Thanksgiving party started 15 years ago (or thereabouts) as, ironically, a protest event but, in the ensuing years, it has grown to be an inclusive event filled with food, music, mirth, and did I mention food?  It is one of my favorite traditions that the Penn Band has and, tonight, as I head off to bed, I am filled with gratitude for Bonegiving!

Today, 11/24/19, is Day #328 of 2019.  As with most Sundays, after Church, I counted, with my counter colleagues, the offering that was collected.  So, on day 328, the Loose Offering was $27 and the total cash was $273.  I know it might sound geeky, but this is where my gratitude lies today.  I love that these are more numbers to make me happy.  And I am glad that a simple set of numbers can start my day off in a good manner.

It was the last football game of the season on 11/23/19.  But, after the game (loss :-( ) on the 327th day of 2019 a bunch of Penn Friends got together and hung out, had dinner, and played poker, all to celebrate the impending birthday of one Jeffrey A. Porten.  I have known Jeff for 40 of our 50 years, from Masterman, through Penn, to now.  Celebrating was fun and I have gratitude for Poker, Porten, and Penn Band Friends.  It was a great day!

It was another Gym Night for OMAYSC on 11/22/19.  So I spent the evening of the 326th day of 2019 in the OPS Gym with 58 kids, 5 counselors, and three other chaperones.  And, once again, it went well.  One of the main reasons is that we were encouraged to buy a Gaga Pit last year.  It has really made these Gym Nights run smoothly.  So, tonight, I have gratitude for OMAYSC's Gaga Pit and for Amy G., who convinced me to obtain it!

There was no question as to what was for dinner on the 325th day of 2019.  11/21/19 included a fundraiser for the CMS PTA at Jalapenos.  So, we had an excuse to get food from one of our favorite restaurants and it was for a good cause ("we had to go, it's for the CHILDREN!")  I have gratitude for PTA Dine and Donate Fundraisers and especially when they are at Jalapenos!

At the end of the workday on the 324th day of 2019, the NGSS Team found ourselves together still.  No, we were not working, it was an office Happy Hour event!  We had a really nice time, good conversation, and were able to see each other in a more relaxed, non-work space.  But, what made this event on 11/20/19 better was that it was in the New Deck.  I feel like the New Deck is my Cheers.  Not that I drink, but I like their food and I feel like, when I go there, they DO know my name.  So it made me realize that I have a lot of gratitude for The New Deck Tavern.  Yum!

On the 323rd day of 2019, a good, necessary talk occurred.  So, on 11/19/19 (or, as someone told me 19-11-19  which is neat on day #323), that is what I am grateful for.  I have gratitude for a good, necessary talk.  It's best to talk it our when there are issues on the table.

The 322nd day of 2019 was a Monday in the Fall.  SO, when I got home (after Band) in the evening of 11/18/19, Monday Night Football was on.  And, because we had players on our fantasy teams in the game, Alexa and I were following every play.  And, thanks to Travis Kelcie and Keenan Allen, our teams won and there were whoops in the Sherr House during the 4th quarter.  It made me smile.  I am grateful for our Family Fantasy Football League and that it makes watching football at home a lot more fun.

So, on the 321st day of 2019, the Sherr Family made a trip to the Palestra to watch Penn Women's Basketball AND to play in the Penn Band.  Sarah took this picture on 11/17/19 and posted it on her FB Wall and I have been smiling at it ever since.  As Sarah said, "the family that plays together, stays together!"  A lot of changes for our family are in the future in the next three years, so I will hang on to these moments as long as I can.  I am immense gratitude for my Penn Band family today.  I hope we keep making music together forever!

I was honored, on the 320th day of 2019, to have been asked to give remarks at the Celebration of Life for Charmaine Hamilton.  Charmaine started in Penn's Registrar's Office on the same day as I did (5/2/16) and we even received our offer from Penn on the same day (4/15/16).  So, as I walked to the podium on 11/16/19, one of my goals was to not break down into a sobbing mess.  And I succeeded!  I hope I also was able to convey how much Charmaine was loved by all who came in contact with her.  Her infectious smile, her wonderful laugh, her amazing desire to help all those with whom she came into contact.  The themes were strong for all who made our remarks.  Love, Joy, Faith, Family, and Service to others.  This is why tonight, and for the past two weeks or so, I have had so much gratitude of the life, and smile, of Charmaine Hamilton.  And I am so happy that I was able to meet this amazing person, even though I only had three plus years of k...

After the work week had ended on the 319th day of 2019, I found myself, once again, in Oaklyn Public School.  "WHY, Adam?!?", you ask.  Well, 11/15/19 was the evening of the PTA Minute to Win It event at OPS (in the Gym).  The PTA President asked for my assistance in running the clock in the Gym and, of course, I said YES!  It was a great event.  Some of the kids were a bit unruly but, well, they're kids!  I had fun and was able to volunteer in a school that gave my kids so much!  Tonight I have gratitude for the OPS PTA.  They are so dedicated to the kids, parents, and teachers of OPS, and even let old parents come back to help!

So it's pretty cold on the 318th day of 2019.  I mean, not FREEZING cold (that will come later in the season), but cold enough and 30 degrees cooler than earlier this week.  And, as I headed out on an errand in the evening of 11/14/19, I did not feel like putting on a big coat, so I opened the hall closet and found....... a WDW fleece!  Purchased years ago and has been living in the closet, I wondered if it would fit.  And it DID!  Moving in the right direction in that department and grateful for fleeces that fit on this chilly fall evening.....

I rushed home from work on the 317th day of 2019.  11/13/19 was the evening of the banquet for the CHS Field Hockey Team.  Yes, tears flowed, but I stayed in control.  We heard great speeches for Alexa and her teammates.  We ate good food.  We watched a moving slide show.  I have so much gratitude for the CHS Field Hockey Banquet.  One last evening to enjoy Alexa's FH career.... one last....

I could not believe it on day #316 of 2019!  I was sitting in the Law School on 11/12/19, listening to the inaugural Civility Lecture and I was enjoying it and agreeing with the speaker.  Which is remarkable because he is the President of PRINCETON!  And then I was at an event in the Perry World House where I was sitting in the audience watching a debate on immigration between members of the Penn Political Union (PPU) and Gov. Jeb Bush (yes, THAT Jeb Bush).  And I think Jeb won (he even had me almost convinced).  I was there for both events because I was serving as an Open Expression Observer.  Doing this duty has gotten me into many interesting events and, usually, I am pleasantly surprised at how interesting these events are.  And, without Open Expression, I likely would not have had the chance to experience these.  So, tonight, I am grateful for Penn's Open Expression.  But it's time for bed and I am tired - Goodnight!

The 315th day of 2019 was palindromic in its own right.  11/11 (ok 11/11/19) was also Veterans Day.  So, my gratitude is obviously for Veterans.  Without their service (and for some the utmost sacrifice), the US would not be as free nor as safe.  THANK YOU VETERANS!!

I was in the mood for steak on the 314th day of 2019.  So, on 11/10/19, Sarah went food shopping and got some steaks.  She grilled them up and made an amazing dinner for us (and family who came over to share).  It was a great ending for a pretty amazing weekend.  I have gratitude for steak dinners and for Sarah for making such a great one for us tonight.

It has been almost 30 years since I graduated from Penn.  And, for the 30th time since I marched to Franklin Field for the Commencement Ceremony, Homecoming was celebrated at Penn on 11/9/19.  And it was a palindromic day!  Day #313 of 2019, and, if we use the European construct, 9/11/19 is also a palindrome!  And, as with many palindromic days, today was wonderful.  Started at a very meaningful unveiling of a memorial bench at the School of Nursing, then headed to the Palestra for the Women's Basketball opener (big WIN!), and finished up at Franklin Field for the Penn win over Cornell (whoo that was close!)  Then time with friends as the girls babysat for an alumni couple at a gala.  All the while we saw people we had not seen in a long time, there were hugs and stories, we met kids of friends that are grown up so much (or that we have never met before).  What a wonderful day and, although I am quite tired, I am heading to bed filled with gratitu...

The 312th day of 2019 was the last day off of school for the kids.  So there was no homework to do in the evening of 11/8/19.  So the family got together, after dinner, to watch our DVRed TV episodes.  We have a lot more to get to but it's time for bed.  And, as I head there, I have gratitude for TV Time.  Time together is such a valuable commodity these days....

It's been a long week, and I was pretty tired at the end of the 311th day of 2019.  And on 11/7/19, because it was a Thursday, I drove to Old First for Church Choir rehearsal.  And it does not matter how tired I am when I arrive, I always leave Choir Rehearsal rejuvenated and in a better mood.  Tonight, I am really tired again, and am filled with gratitude for the OFR Choir.

It was a rough start to the 310th day of 2019.  Yesterday, at work, we found out that one of our dearest colleagues had died suddenly.  It was a shock.  And, at 9AM on 11/6/19, we gathered in a conference room, our work team along with a counselor from Penn's EAP, and we grieved together.  It was not easy, but it helped that we were all together.  So, tonight, my gratitude is for my work family.  As with any family, there are times when we argue and fight.  But, in the end, we are there for each other in times of need.

The NCAA Basketball season opened on the 309th day of 2019.  And, amazingly enough, on 11/5/19 Penn Men's Basketball beat the Tide of Alabama!  Ivy over SEC!  YEAH!  And, with that win, I won a meal from a 'Bama fan friend.  So, tonight, I am grateful for meal wagers.  The thing is, when you win, you get a free meal.  When you lose, you still get to have a meal with someone you like enough to make a wager with.  Win Win!

After meetings at work, and a Penn Band Board meeting, I went to another meeting on day #308 of 2019.  11/4/19 found me at Church at meeting of the Administrative SLG.  I have been working with and on the Admin Team at Old First for decades.  And tonight was another great meeting filled with thoughtful people who care about the administration of the church.  It's not glamorous work, but it provides the foundation for so many other ministries at the church.  Tonight, my gratitude for the OFR Admin Team.  I so value the work of these teammates and I appreciate their dedication.

Day #307 was a Sunday where, in Church, we honored the Saints.  Friday was All-Saints Day, so the sermon on 11/3/2019 and the theme of the service was the saints in our lives.  It made me think, as I often do, about how lucky I am to have had so many saints in my life.  So, today in Church, tonight as I get ready for bed, I am reflecting on how much gratitude I have for all the saints in my life.  So many people who have done so much good for me and others in my life.  THANK YOU (you know who you are!)

On the 306th day of 2019, I really did not do much of anything.  I mean I ran a few errands, watched college football, and read a few emails.  But I mainly slept in, relaxed and tried to recover from whatever stomach issue has been ailing me, and played games on my phone.  So, with apologies on 11/2/19 for being an unproductive drain, I am grateful for a lazy Saturday and hope that it means the upcoming week will be much easier.  Now, after SNL, off to bed where we get an extra hour of sleep! GOODNIGHT!

At the end of the workday on the 305th day of 2019, I ended up in an old familiar place.  11/1/19 was the rescheduled OMAYSC Red Ribbon Halloween Dance at the Oaklyn Public School.  It was the usual cacophony of loud music, screaming kids, laughter, and disco lights.  And dozens of kids had their first School Dance and had a pretty good time dancing, eating pizza, and laughing.  But none of this would have happened without the volunteers that helped me chaperone.  So tonight I have gratitude for OMAYSC Chaperones.  Thank you Vince, Kate, and Amy!  Because of you, we were able to provide kids with a safe, fun, substance free event on a weekend evening.... the mission of OMAYSC.