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.