Personal Stories

Ten Things I’m Thankful For

25 Comments

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Top Ten Tuesday

Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl invited us to share “ten things I’m thankful for” in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US.

I’m not going to lie. I’ve got a bad case of covid restriction fatigue at the moment. I just want to be able to explore when and where I want without worrying about whether I’m going to make anyone sick or whether the place I want to go is even open. Don’t worry, I’m still following the rules because I do understand the importance. That doesn’t mean I’m not inwardly chafing against restrictions though. So I’m stepping back to reflect on how blessed I really am in the midst of 2020.

Tired Dog
  1. I’m thankful that my family and friends are healthy. As far as I know, only one aunt has had covid and she did have a really hard time with it. But she’s on the mend and feisty as ever.
  2. My husband’s job and paycheck have been secure this year. He works healthcare so that should be a given but when states put a hold on elective surgeries when we first went into lockdown? That got scary. Almost every procedure is technically elective. He works with cardiac patients but the only people who were having procedures were the ones who were on death’s door. Luckily, his company paid him through the end of his contract even though he wasn’t working . Governors had lifted those restrictions by the time we were looking for a new contract. So many people still don’t have jobs, all these months later. We were blessed indeed.
  3. My husband’s job essentially pays him to explore this beautiful country! We took a leap of faith and left everyone we know and love behind in February 2019 and started traveling. We try to choose hospitals in interesting locations that we want to explore. He works a three-month contract filling in staffing shortages and we see the sites on his days off! Isn’t that a sweet deal?
  4. The ability to get outside and enjoy beautiful hikes and stunning sunrises and sunsets. I do miss visiting museums and seeing plays and movies and other indoor activities but I’m more of an outdoors person anyway. I’ve been pretty happy on trails and beaches this year!
Wildflower Meadow on Mt. Rainier
Wildflower meadow on Mt. Rainier
Copyright © Jennifer G.
  1. I miss seeing my friends and family but I don’t want to take a chance on flying home and making anyone sick. That’s a bummer. But I’m blessed to be loved by so many people! Others have toxic families or no families at all and here I am with wonderful parents and my awesome younger sister, my sweet little Granny, and umpteen aunts, uncles, and cousins. As an introvert, I only have a handful of close friends but those friends are my ride or dies and they truly get me.
  2. At our current location near San Diego, we’re staying close to my husband’s cousin and his wife and pretty little dachshund. They’ve adopted us while we’re here. My husband considers his cousin to be his third brother so it’s nice to spend significant time with them. We’ve always lived so far apart, we’ve never been able to do that before. It’s especially nice since we’re here during the holiday season. They’ve gone out of their way to include us and make us feel welcome.
  3. I’m thankful for technology that makes staying in touch so much easier. I truly despise video calls for whatever reason, but texting, calling, old-fashioned cards and letters, and even social media (a mixed blessing) mean that I generally know what’s going on, not just with my family and current friends, but even old classmates. I love celebrating milestones and day-to-day news with everyone, even from afar.
Photo of Phone and Keyboard
  1. Authors and books that take me to new places, introduce me to new ways of looking at the world, or expand my horizons.
  2. My husband works hard to give us this amazing life we’re living. He’s thoughtful and funny and my best friend. He’s up for any adventure. He encourages me in anything I want to do, whether it’s switching (or quitting) my job, starting (or restarting) my book blog, or planning a vacation to Egypt, he’s all in.
  3. I’m thankful for you guys! We all have so many demands on our time but you take the time to read whatever thoughts I have and comment and share your own thoughts and recommendations. Thank you so much!

That’s my list! What are you thankful for? Link up every Tuesday at That Artsy Reader Girl!

I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in beautiful Asheville, NC. I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase merchandise through links on my site.

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25 Comments

  1. I hear you. Covid restriction fatigue is real and I’m feeling it, too. I miss hanging out with my girlfriends (it’s getting too cold and rainy to play mah jong outside), miss going out to eat, miss seeing my daughter and granddaughter, and miss traveling and exploring new places. But this too shall pass. We just have to hang in there and look for the good. Nobody in our family has had Covid, but a good friend and his family all had it and he wound up in ICU. He’s better now, but it was really scary. The brother of one of my mom’s friends just died of Covid, which was heartbreaking to hear. I’m glad your husband is still working! I am so grateful to all the healthcare workers who continue to show up with such bravery and dedication. We felt very safe at the hospital last week when my husband had his surgery and I was thankful he was still able to have it since it could be considered elective. Yes, I’m also thankful for technology (and this blogging community), but I’m not a big fan of Zoom. It’s nice to have for a f2f visit with friends and family every now and then, but it still feels forced and artificial to me. Thanks for reminding me to make my own gratitude list. It’s so important to look for the good right now. Take care!

    Reply

    1. I think my problem with Zoom is that I can’t multi-task. I’m usually doing dishes or cleaning something while I’m on the phone but with Zoom I have to actually sit down and make time for just that call. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. My mother-in-law loves FaceTime but I usually end up just sitting there and smiling until my face hurts while other people talk. I mostly refuse to get on those any more. I’ll say hi on a holiday but otherwise I just keep doing my thing in the background. I did get on a Zoom call with my parents on Thanksgiving and it was nice to see their faces since I haven’t been home since February because of covid.

      Reply

  5. It’s so good in these weird times to stop and think about what we have to be thankful for! It really is important, and your list is a good reminder that even the little things are worth celebrating. I love the Mt. Rainier pic! I haven’t been there in ages, hope to be able to travel and visit it (and my family in the area) soon. (Well. For relative values of “soon”.)

    Reply

    1. I truly did need this reminder of how much I have to be thankful for.

      We visited Mt. Rainier once in 2005? when my brother-in-law lived in Yakima. It was so cloudy, we didn’t even see the mountain so we just kept driving. The only time we saw it that trip was when we flew out and broke above the cloud layer.

      We just happened to hit peak wildflower bloom when we visited this year for my husband’s birthday. We were there on a Thursday or Friday so it wasn’t very crowded either. Words can’t do it justice. It was unbelievably beautiful.

      I hope you are able to visit the area, and most importantly, your family, soon.

      Reply

      1. That’s so cool! I have fond memories of visiting my WA family more when I was young, and hope to go back again soon. We haven’t been in a while… it’s easier to find excuses now that I’m the one who has to plan the trips, LOL. So much easier to have let my parents plan them for me. Oh well. One of the “perks” of growing up and moving out, I guess?

        Reply

  8. Hi there Jen! Yes, even through all this chaos this year, we still have many blessings to count. The important thing is to be able to see that!

    I am also grateful for technology and for all you guys. I think the blogging community is a bunch of such wonderful people and I always love to just escape into this world.

    Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

    Elza is Thankful for

    Reply

  11. Beautiful pic! That’s awesome you guys get a chance to see new places and travel like that. I’m glad it’s working well for you guys. And ooh San Diego sounds nice! 🙂

    Reply

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