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. :)