It’s the time of year to count your blessings. It’s not so hard to remember to be thankful for the big things, especially now that I work for a children’s hospital. Every night when I tuck my kids into their own beds instead of a hospital bed, I feel thankful.
But at a time when it has been crazy busy in our household and I’ve struggled to manage all the little things that weigh on my mind and wear me down, I’m doing my best to take stock of the little things that lift me up.
Here are 4 of my favorites:
-Teeny Ballerinies (and Friday mornings to watch them)
I love watching Daisy May during her weekly ballet class. A dozen or so 3-year-old girls twirling in pink tutus and tights is one of the sweetest things I can imagine. I am so thankful for the 4-day work schedule that allows me to have a little bit of magical time with my baby girl.
-Stolen moments
My husband and I work tag-team schedules, so we are desperately short on time together. We haven’t had a “date” since early September, when we went out of town for a wedding. That’s just the way it is. But it makes me treasure and savor those stolen moments we find: a 10-minute coffee date after the kids get on the bus and before I jump in the car to commute downtown; brunch with friends on a lazy Sunday; a late-night cocktail in our kitchen after the kids are asleep.
-A Trio of Laughs
Arguments between our children can be like Chinese water torture. It’s the endless repetition that starts to crush your soul and break your will. But lately, I’ve been noticing more incredible moments when I overhear the three of them shouting and squealing, and as I go to break up the squabble, I realize they’re laughing. Having fun. TOGETHER.
-Off-the-Air Holidays
I am so thankful that I had many years of life-changing and eye-opening experiences as a TV journalist. I am thankful I had the privilege for several of those years of helping Indianapolis celebrate the start of the holiday season by emceeing the “Circle of Lights” celebration on the day after Thanksgiving. It was a really, really cool thing to be a part of. But now, I’m most thankful to have holidays off with my family, so I can enjoy traditions instead of reporting on them. Two years after leaving the news business, it is still a shock to me that I automatically have holidays off.
While Indy is lighting up Monument Circle this year, I will be with my parents, husband and kiddos, looking into their eyes and feeling thankful for every moment along my winding path that brought me to this one.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
