Days of Thanks #16

Today I am grateful for small problems.  We were scheduled to leave tomorrow morning at 7AM for a much-needed week-long vacation in St. John, with little Jackson and big Jackson (my dad) along for the ride.  Yesterday, little Jackson woke up with a fever and cough, and today, a whole 15 hours before we were supposed to take off, he was diagnosed with the flu.  The flu.  Against which he was vaccinated two months ago. 

We cancelled our tickets for tomorrow (and fortunately we bought trip insurance).  If he seems OK, we may decide to rebook for Sunday or Monday (amazingly, the ticket prices haven't gone up astronomically since July). 

I am bummed, for sure.  But all I keep thinking is that there are so many worse things than having to postpone or cancel a very nice vacation.  So many worse things. 

Days of Thanks #15

Today I am so grateful for my dad.  He has been such a huge help to us throughout this entire time we have been staying with him while our house is under renovation.  He was there for us all summer long during my chemo, right there waiting to hang out with Jackson at every moment when I had to go lay down.  And he's been there for us all fall, with Jackson's repeated sick days when I had to teach and Ed had some work thing to do. 

Today, again, he was there for us.  Jackson woke up with yet another fever and a croupy cough.  Ed was in DC today and I had a project I had to finish up at work before we leave for vacation on Saturday (fingers crossed that this bug will not waylay us), and once again, Dad stepped right in when we needed him. 

Good dads can be hard to find.  I'm grateful for mine. 

Days of Thanks #14

Today I am grateful for books and for their ability to expand our experience miles, even worlds, beyond the 5-foot radius in which we usually live our lives.  I want to read more, more, more. 

Days of Thanks #13

Today, when I feel so tired from too few hours of sleep last night, I am grateful to be able to crawl into a bed.  With soft sheets.  And warm blankets.  And a roof over my head.  The little things for some are everything to others.  I am grateful to have been the beneficiary of such incredible privilege in my life. 

Days of Thanks #12

Today I am grateful yet again for an unexpected moment with my little boy that I might have found frustrating in days before.  He had trouble settling down for bed with his daddy, and then he woke up 45 minutes later with a bloodcurdling scream.  I went in and picked him up, and he was obviously very upset by something.  I turned on the light for a little while and rocked with him and once he'd settled back down, I turned off the light and put him back in his crib.  He wouldn't let me leave, so I stayed there and sang "You Are My Sunshine" until he seemed to be almost asleep, but as soon as I stopped singing, he started to cry again.  So I laid down next to the crib and put one arm through so he could hold my hand.  Eventually, he let go and turned over to get comfortable and go to sleep.  I was just happy to be there. 

Days of Thanks #11

Today I am grateful for an impromptu sunset walk to Merritt's Pasture with my precious little family on another beautiful, warm December day. 

Days of Thanks #10

Today, I am grateful for a beautiful, sunny, warm day on which to remember my child's life.  I am grateful for new traditions to remember her in our new-old hometown.  And, as ever, I am incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and friendship and remembrance that has accompanied yet another birthday we have celebrated without Hudson.  So many wonderful One Good Things.  So many little pieces of our girl's spirit being shared with the world.  Today, above all days, I think about the dandelions, and I imagine each little deed spreading Hudson's sweet presence to those who need it most. 

Thank you all so much, my friends.