Work Out Buddy

I've been on and off with exercising these past six months. Now, I'm starting to become more consistent because I have a workout buddy now. Before, I've been trying to do it all myself, which is possible, of course. It's just so much easier to go to the gym with someone rather than yourself. If nothing else, the other person can convince you to get up and go work out with them. I'm grateful to have a work out buddy (in my case, it's my wife).

Vintage Apparel

I enjoy dressing up. I like to look, feel, and act classy. When I noticed my wife looking online at vintage dresses, I was reminded of how much I appreciate that style. When did "vintage" style become cool? I don't know...but it is. I am grateful for vintage style, especially apparel (seriously, the suits back then, so dapper, right?).

A Wonderful Service for a Life Well Lived

I've only been to about three funerals, but my grandfather's funeral today was the finest I've attended. All of his children (my mother and my aunts and uncles) were in one place—something that hadn't happened in years—to comfort their mother. All who were at the service shared or listened to dozens of humorous and heartwarming experiences with my grandfather. The gravesite service was also very touching. There was a bagpipe performance, and prayer, and a military salute.

The luncheon afterwards was fun. More than anything, I was happy to be with family. For a day, we all came together to celebrate a life very well lived, and to appreciate each other's company and connections.

I already expressed gratitude for my grandfather, so today I am grateful for the beautiful service and celebration of his life that I was able to participate in. I truly felt that I had done my part in giving a proper goodbye to my grandfather.

Bonus: I am grateful that I was inspired this evening to remember a service commitment I had made. I arrived late to set up chairs for church, but I was there, and I got to help for the last couple of minutes before all the work was done. I have no other reason for remembering that I had committed to being there except that I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to keep that commitment.

A Good Neighbor

I did not expect one of our neighbors to come knocking on our door, but it happened tonight. The neighbor brought us some cookies and told us she was going door to door, meeting people, since she was new in the neighborhood. My wife and I are quite new ourselves, so we were excited to see someone else reaching out.

This inspired me. Now I want to take some initiative to meet some of my new neighbors! Also, the cookies were quite yummy. :)

Bonding Over Video Games

I've had a love/hate relationship with video games in the past. They're so much fun! But, do I spend too much time on them? What's funny is my wife likes some of the same game I do, so we often get to bond over how we're each doing in the games' story modes.

My wife and I have many similar interests, and I'm grateful for that. Video games, board games, games in general, is one of those things. :)

Grandfathers

I remember that I was about nine years old when my paternal grandfather passed away. His health was failing him, so it wasn't a shock to us. My dad went to the funeral, but the rest of my family didn't, only because the funeral was out of the way, in Canada. We all loved the man. I have some good, fond memories of him.

This afternoon, my mother called me to tell me that her father—my other grandfather—had passed away today. His health had also been poor, especially in recent years. We all knew his pain and troubles would soon end. He also lived far away for most of my life, so I wouldn't say I was very close with him, but I loved him.

That said, I didn't realize that it would take me about 15 minutes of silent sobbing after I heard the news for me to truly focus and get back to work. I suddenly remembered the love that man had given me all my life.

Changes are sometimes hard for me, but at least I understand why they happen. All I wish to say now is this: Gramps, thank you. Thank you for giving me and my brother a fencing lesson. Thank you for giving me a tie, a briefcase, and a glass chess set, tangible reminders of your life. Thank you for your love of music. Thank you, especially, for telling me multiple times how you expect great things from me. Thank you, so very much.

I am grateful for my grandfathers. My family means more to me than I can adequately say, and I look forward to seeing some of my extended family again as I pay my respects at the funeral.

New Computer...Loading...

I'm adjusting to a new computer, and I didn't realize how long it would take to set everything up on it, all the programs and such. I was hoping to get some things done on my computer, but they will have to wait until tomorrow.

But, I will say that I am grateful to have a new, working computer, even if I won't get a full use of it until tomorrow. :)

Snow Plows on the Freeway

I love snow, but the amount of it that poured on the streets today made me nervous. My wife and I wanted to run some errands in a town about an hour's drive away. I am grateful we were able to get to and from where we needed to go safely. Part of the credit goes to the snow plows.

Not once, but twice on our drive to the other town, a line of snow plows entered the freeway to clear the road. We stayed behind them, keeping our drive slow and steady. I am very grateful for the work done by today's snow plow drivers.

45th Peaceful Presidential Inauguration

I'd like to express my gratitude for today's presidential inauguration. Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, as is the way in this country.

Of course, people around the world have many varying opinions about this event, but I wish to emphasize the fact that the transition was peaceful. Perhaps other countries have experienced 45 peaceful transitions of power, from one executive officer to another, but I'm not aware of any from the top of my head. I am grateful that today's presidential inauguration ceremony was just as grand, dignified, and peaceful as it should be.

I wish President Donald Trump, his administration, other government officials, and the rest of the American people four years of success, progress, and improvement. Whether you like it or not, we still have a president, a Congress, and a Supreme Court, by the people, for the people, and of the people.

A Few Weeks of Daily Gratefuls

Hello! I know it's been several weeks since my last post, but it's been an interesting several weeks for me, mostly filled with illness and minor injuries. That said, I truly have very much to be grateful for, and I will share some of those things in a list:

I am grateful that I no longer suffer from flu symptoms.
I am grateful for my in-laws who convinced me to go to the hospital to get my swollen leg looked at.
I am grateful that my four days at the hospital were comfortable, and that I had very good care.
I am grateful my wife stayed with me each night at the hospital (she's such a trooper).
I am grateful the antibiotics worked.

I am grateful I was able to power through my fear of needles (for the most part, for a few days).
I am grateful for a wonderful team of competent, careful doctors and nurses.
I am grateful for the insurance my wife and I have.
I am grateful for the people who visited me while I was at the hospital.
I am grateful I was able to get things straightened out with work during my recovery.

I am grateful for good, quality hospital food.
I am grateful for the positive updates I was able to give to my family and my in-laws as I got better.
I am grateful for nice, friendly, encouraging phlebotomists.
I am grateful to be able to walk without pain or limp.
I am grateful for a successful ingrown toenail removal.

I am grateful the toenail surgery was much, much less agonizing than I thought possible.
I am grateful that illness, infection, and injury are all taken care of in a matter of weeks.
I am grateful for safe and speedy recoveries.
I am grateful to know that the next time I get a pedicure (if ever), I should tell the specialists to leave my toenails alone.

That should, more or less, cover the last nineteen days of gratitude. Of course, I could go on, but I try not to make these posts too long, otherwise I'd have to conclude with a TL;DR note (too long; didn't read). This is the internet, after all. ;)

It's good to be back.

2016

Today, I am grateful for the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen.

I have heard some say that 2016 was an awful year, perhaps one of the worst. Now, I can understand the disappointment, frustration, and sorrow regarding the tragedies that have been seen and broadcast this year. I can also understand such feelings at the passing of such greats as David Bowie or Carrie Fisher. Also, a fair chunk of America didn't like how the presidential election turned out.

But I am so very grateful for this year. For one, I'm sure there are other years in history that were actually worse than 2016 (for example, 2016 in America wasn't as bad as was, say 1929 when the Great Depression began).

For me (and likely many others in the world), 2016 was my best year yet. I graduated from college, fell in love, got a full time job, got married, and spent Christmas with my entire family (which hadn't happened in a few years).

I am grateful for 2016, and I look forward to the adventures and growth I will see in 2017.