2019 and An Attitude of Gratitude

12/30/19, the 364th day of 2019 and the 52nd Monday of the year!  And, unlike most Mondays, I, once again, did not go to work today.  In fact, I have not been in the office since 12/20, which has been 10 days out of the office.  And I won't be in the office until 1/2/20, a total of 12 days out of the office and it's only costing me 2 PTO days!  I am grateful for Penn's Special Winter Vacation which allows me, each year, to be home with my family during this holiday season.  It's a great benefit and makes me feel happier to work in Higher Education at the end of each year.  Catching up on sleep has been nice too!  Wishing you all a restful start of the New Year!

12/29/19 is the last palindromic day (Day #363 of 2019) of the Teens (I know it's not the real end of the decade, but 2020 is the start of the 20s so....)  And it was filled with a lot of sports.  First, I worked the Collingswood Christmas Basketball Tournament where I worked the clock/scoreboard and I announced.  Then the afternoon was another stressful sports event as I worried (until the 4th quarter) about the Eagles game.  The season has had some real ups and downs, but the Eagles enter the Playoffs on a 4-game winning streak and most of their roster in the medical tent.  No idea what next week will bring, but I will be cheering them on!  And, for tonight, I just have gratitude that the Eagles made the Playoffs!  FLY EAGLES FLY!!!

During the Winter Break, we always have a lot of Family Movie Nights.  The 362nd day of 2019 was no different.  But, on 12/28/19, we found 80s movies on the On Demand.  Tonight's selections were Die Hard and St. Elmo's Fire.  CLASSICS!  So happy to be able to share my teenaged movie favorites with my teenager.  I am grateful for 80's movies and the nostalgia they bring up, and the fact that my teen likes them as much as I did/do!

So the 361st day of 2019 brought another Sherr Family Tradition. On 12/27/19,  Sarah  made us the egg casserole recipe that I got from  Beth Hagovsky , a colleague from "the good old days" in Penn Student Affairs. I love the recipe, it is ALWAYS good, and it makes me also remember the community we had way back then, that we still have, occasionally, when we get together, and also as FB friends. The best part about working at Penn has been all of the wonderful people I have met, and this recipe makes me think of them (and, as I said, it is SO GOOD!)  :-)  So, tonight, my gratitude is for Egg Casserole. And the happiness, on so many levels, it provided today.

12/26/19, the 2nd Day of Christmas, and we made it into a Family Movie Night.  On the 360th day of 2019, we went and saw Knives Out! and it was FANTASTIC.  It was a great time out as a family and the movie was as good as advertised (+97% on Rotten Tomatoes).   It just made us all very happy and, because of that, I am grateful for our family movie night to Knives Out!  We have 2-3 more movies we want to see over break, and this was a fine start!

What a wonderful 359th day of 2019 12/25/19 was.  Of course, we all knew it'd be a good day, it's CHRISTMAS!  And we made the trek to York, PA for the whole Walters Family Christmas Dinner.  And. of course, it was delicious.  But, after Dinner, my favorite Walters Family Christmas Tradition occurred.  The six cousins sat in a circle and, after guessing who had their name, swapped Christmas presents.  And there were smiles, and laughs, and some really nice presents were exchanged.  But it was not really about the presents, it's more about the smiles and laughs and family time together.  That is why my unending gratitude is for the Christmas Cousin Swap (and all of the other Christmas Day celebratory activities).  MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Because of some stomach pains, I missed some of the activities on the 358th day of 2019.  As 12/24/19 is Christmas Eve, the family made the trek to Philadelphia for all of the holiday attractions.  Thankfully, Sarah FaceTimed me from the Comcast Show and I enjoyed the rest, vicariously, though pictures.  And then we had a wonderful family lunch with the Maddens as well.  I so look forward to this day of family and food and fun and then off to Old First for the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service.  And the service was beautiful tonight, Alexa and Anna played piano preludes, we sang in the Choir, the message was really relevant, and the music was wonderful.  I am so thankful for all of this today, and my gratitude is especially for Family Christmas Eve Traditions.  Merry Christmas, everyone!

Although 12/23/19 was a Monday, there was no work nor school for the members of the Sherr Family today.  That's right, the 358th day of 2019 was the first day of our official vacations!  Temple is closed, so is CHS, so I took a PTO day (and tomorrow too!) so we'd all be off.  We got to use the Free Passes to Longwood Gardens that Sarah won in a basket auction.  Such a nice oasis of color and flower smells in the winter season!  But my favorite part was as we walked out of the gardens and passed all of the trees and bushes lit for the season.  The displays were beautiful.  And some of the houses, as we drove home, were amazing as well.  My gratitude for today is for Christmas Lights.  They add so much to the season.

It was a very musical day on 12/22/19.  That's because we not only went to Old First on the 357th day of 2019, we also spent the afternoon and early evening in Christ Church, rehearsing for and then performing in Carols for a Cause.  It was a group choir carol sing and the church was PACKED.  It was a great concert, filled with amazing songs, and we raised needed funds for the Homeless Shelter at Old First.  I love music, and I love Christmas, and I love a church packed with happy, singing people.  So tonight, I go to bed smiling, and filled with gratitude for Carols for a Cause.  So glad we're doing it again next year!

Here we are and, once again (well, at least three times out of four), the 355th day of 2019 is the shortest day (i.e. least amount of daylight) of the year.  And, 12/21/19 (12/21 - palindrome!!!) is a day of hope for me.  Why?  Because since today is the shortest day, that means longer days are on the horizon.  Yes, tonight, I am grateful for more daylight ahead.  Each day will be longer and more light is on the way.  During this holiday season, let's try to remember that some people may need this hopeful reminder more than you'd think.

The 354th day of 2019 was the last day I will be in the office for 2019.  So, on 12/20/19, I was sure to say "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" and "Happy New Year."  And, surprisingly, in return I got a lot of Christmas Cookies from people at work (AND at the cookie bake-off at the office party yesterday).  so as I sit here catching up on emails and munching on them, I am grateful for Christmas Cookies.  YUM!  Not a "crummy" gift at all!

I thought that, because 12/19/19 was the 353rd day of 2019, a palindromic day of good luck, if you will, that maybe the outcome would be different as the Collingswood Girl's Basketball team traveled to its rival Haddonfield's gym for the opening game of the season.  Alas palindromic karma could not get a win for our team, but I did enjoy being back in the bleachers watching basketball.  It is Alexa's second (of three) senior season so my gratitude tonight is for the senior basketball "Fab Four!"  These four have been playing basketball together for so long.  Rec, Travel, Middle School, High School and this is their last year on the court together.  Shout outs tonight go to Lulu O'Neill (who fights through every injury only to come back stronger), Sam Gurcsik (who promised me a 3-pointer in Pre-Game today and then HIT IT!, Jayana Murray, the fastest player up and down a court that I've ever seen, and, of course, my girl Alexa!  I will miss seeing these girl...

So last week the OEF Candy Order was delivered to the School.  I picked it up on Monday evening and, as last night was busy with OEF Meeting, on 12/18/19 (after the wonderful Choral Concert). planned to distribute it.  On the 352nd day of 2019, most of the rest of the Board came over and we divvied up the deliveries and off they went!  Tonight, therefore, I am grateful for my candy elves.  Many hands make light work and that was the case tonight.

As of 11:54PM on the 351st day of 2019, there have been 1,197 reacts to my post from last night.  My phone kept buzzing on 12/17/19, because people are reacting so positively to Alexa's news from yesterday.  I have to admit, it was really nice to see how happy people are for her.  Even on other Social Media platforms (like her Instagram story).  I am grateful for all of the happiness, and have gratitude for the 1,000+ reacts.  It's good to be connected.

So on the 350th day of 2019 I get to brag more than I usually do about Alexa Sherr.  That's because on 12/16/19, we found out that Alexa has been admitted to the Penn Nursing Class of 2024!  She has worked so hard for so long and I am so happy for her to have been able to get in to Penn.  And, because she is ED she will be attending in the Fall of 2020.  No more applications, no more wondering.  And, she will follow in the footsteps of Sarah (at the School of Nursing) as well as my sister and I, plus my parents, who, as Sarah and I did, met at Penn, and also my maternal grandfather.  Yes, tonight I am grateful for four generations of Quakers.  FIGHT ON PENN!

I had plans to make my yearly pilgrimage to the Kimmel Center on the 349th day of 2019.  After Church on 12/15/19, we came home, I changed into my musical themed Christmas tie, and got my tuba and got ready to go.  But some equipment issues (I guess a tuba repair will be needed from Santa) prevented my plans for coming to fruition.  It actually may have been for the best since we would have been stressed rushing to get Anna back over to her concert her on the NJ side of the river.  But, still, tonight, I want to express my gratitude for Tuba Christmas a wonderful, yearly occurrence that I will wait a while year to experience again.

It was a "stay in" night in the Sherr Household on 12/14/19.  And so, on the 348th day of 2019 a Sherr Family tradition was born as we, for the second year in a row, watched Love Actually together.  I know it's a sappy movie, but I like sap, and I like the sentiment through the movie. Especially the opening quote that, although, in 2003, was inspired by the events of 9-11, I feel is relevant in these turbulent times as well: " Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were ...

Whelp, on the 347th day of 2019, Alexa logged in to the Temple Univ. Admissions Portal and found out she was ADMITTED!  One down, a few more to go!  But she knows she's got one in hand and that eases her mind on 12/13/19 (lucky Friday the 13th, I guess :) ).  Tonight, because of that feeling of relief and because of her affirmative response, I am grateful for Alexa's First College Acceptance.  Hopefully the first of many.

On 12/12/19, at 12:12AM (yes, 23+ hours ago), the Last Full Moon of the decade happened.  So, on the 346th day of 2019, I am grateful for the last full moon of the decade.  And that it happened in a numerical fashion.  This made me AND my dad happy.  Going to bed happy.

So late on the 345th day of 2019, I had to go back over to Philadelphia to the Wells Fargo Center.  That is because, on 12/11/19, Anna had one of her Christmas Presents early and went to the 2019 Jingle Ball.  I am actually very glad that the girls are of the age where they can be dropped off and picked up at concerts and my ears do not have to ring all night.  But what made me happier was listening to them singing on the way home, still excited about the night's performers and the songs.  I am grateful for the Jingle Ball.  And the happiness it brought to Anna and her friends.

The 344th day of 2019 is one of the last 50th birthdays of my childhood friends.  It's been surreal, for the past 2-3 years, to see all of my friends hitting that milestone, then hitting it myself (and, frankly, 50 has been SO much better than 40 was), and then seeing the "final 50s" if you will.  If there is one thing that Facebook does, it's illuminate the birthdays of all of your friends and acquaintances.  So, on 12/10/19, I wished a hearty happy birthday to one Jeff Porten.  Our parents knew each other before we were born, but I think we met 10 years post-birth, in 5th grade, at Masterman.  Tonight's gratitude is for 50 years of Porten, and 40 years of our friendship.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEFF!

After work on the 343rd day of 2019, I went to the Platt Performing Arts Center (as I do on most Monday evenings).  But there was not a Band Rehearsal on 12/9/19.  Instead, the Penn Band held its elections and the next year's Board was chosen.  I am always impressed by the seriousness with which the membership chooses its leaders and I look forward to working with those who were elected in the coming year.  I go to bed (after an Eagles win - WOO!) with gratitude for the Penn Band Elections.

After a wonderful church service, complete with a Baptism, on the 342nd day of 2019, we found ourselves in a different church.  No we did not attend two worship services on 12/8/19, St. Andrews was the location of the ChildrenSong Winter Concert.  It was a wonderful performance but, I have to admit, I was biased towards the songs in which Anna was featured.  She had solos in two songs, including leading off a rendition of All I Want for Christmas (is You) .   And she played the flute accompanying another song.  I remember when she first joined this group and she was nervous about stepping out to be featured.  Now, after her experiences in ChildrenSong, the Middle School plays at Collingswood, and the CHS Choir program, I see a young performer with confidence and her talent is shining.  I am so proud tonight, and filled with gratitude for Anna's Solo, and all of the teachers, mentors, and choir-mates that have supported Anna along the way....

In the evening of the 341st day of 2019, I was at the theater.  It was, on 12/7/19, the Collingswood Middle School's production of Frozen, Jr.  We went as a family and, although I was not related to any of the performers, the show held my attention for the whole time.  I really appreciate the quality of the shows that are put on by these 6th - 8th graders and their teachers.  Better quality than some HS productions I have seen.  Music, costumes, and a bunch of great, enthusiastic, talented kids.  Mr gratitude is for the CMS Theater Program.  Hope to be seeing shows there for many years to come!

Coming home from work on the 340th day of 2019, I turned on to my street and gasped!  On 12/6/19, a local electrical company assisted one of my neighbors who have a large tree which they were not able to decorate.  This company loaded thousands of lights on to this couple's tree and it is magnificent.  I am filled with gratitude for the AEI Company (Advance Electric Incorporated) of Oaklyn, NJ.  A family company which is a pillar of our community and did a great thing, not only for the family, but for the whole neighborhood!

At the end of the 339th day, after running home for dinner and rushing off to Advent Choir rehearsal, we rushed back to get to Oaklyn before 8PM.  Why?  because 12/5/2019 was the evening of the Light Parade in Oaklyn.  These parades are a wonderful South Jersey small town tradition with fire trucks from all of the area towns participating in each other's parades.  My gratitude tonight is for the OFD Fire Truck Parade and for all of the participating fire departments (most of them, if not all, volunteers) who not only protect us, but also ensure the holiday spirit is alive and well in our communities.

Both Penn Basketball Teams (Women's and Men's) were on the road on the 338th day of 2019.  Yes, on 12/4/19, the Women played at LaSalle (win) and the Men played at Villanova (loss).  But, win or lose, there is something so special about a Big-5 Basketball game.  Yes, the Ivy League is the ticket to the "Big Dance," but a victory over a Big-5 opponent is just something special.  Tonight my gratitude is for Big-5 Basketball and the traditions that, although the games are no longer all played at the Palestra (where they should be), are still strong.

It was not THAT cold on the 337th day of 2019.  But, on 12/3/19, I was not feeling like going outside to get lunch.  But I was hungry.  So, I went online and ordered some Won Ton Soup from Beijing Restaurant (on Penn's Campus).  MAN, it hit the spot.  I am grateful for Won Ton Soup.  YUM!

Day 336 of 2019 was Day 2 of my Christmas Tie sequence.  I have 50+ Christmas ties and, on 12/2/19, I wore won for the 2nd time (no tie on Friday nor Saturday after Thanksgiving).  I love this season and I love wearing my ties.  Tonight my gratitude is for Christmas Ties.  More to come through 1/6/20!

12/1/2019 is not only the 1st day of the last month of the year and the 335th day of 2019, but it is also the first day of the Advent Season.  I love the Advent season and I LOVE the Christmas Season.  The music, the ties, the family gatherings. looking forward to the time off (and with family) between Christmas and New Years.  But today's start of Advent has been better than usual.  We started the day with a really nice service at Church and ended it with a wonderful dinner and hangout (and tree trimming) with the Crocettos.  But the event that inspired most of my gratitude today was our trip to the Kimmel Center to attend the Phila. Orchestra's Brass Section (with organ accompaniment) Christmas Music Concert.  How I love brass music (I mean, it is the foundation for most of my life's happiness given how important the Penn Band has been to me and the fact I met my wife in the group as well!)!  The music was amazing, the players were funny in their int...