2019 and An Attitude of Gratitude

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.