'Thanks"giving 2016

My high school had an annual Thanksgiving assembly prior to us heading off campus in all directions. During the assembly students got the opportunity to express their gratitude in front of the whole school. Every one looked forward to this assembly and to hearing their peers say thank you for everything from their family to sleep to their teachers to 90210 and to good times in senior clubhouse. One of my high school friends has carried on the tradition all these years later by inviting people in her life to share what they are thankful for during the holiday season. She compiles all the entries of people's blessings and sends them back out to us. So 20+ years later here is my annual "thanks"giving post ....

I am so thankful for the love, support, and presence of my family and friends in my life. I greatly appreciate having a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen to me, and people to walk with me through the ups and downs of any given year.

I am thankful for the humbling experience of being a parent. Being a parent has been a wonderful blessing, but not without some challenge. This year has been one I have learned more about how my child learns and lives, while learning more about myself in the process. I am thankful for the moments when I have had to set ego aside in order to do right by my child and for the change in educational environments that I hope will serve my child better in the long run. I am also thankful for my partner in this parenting journey and can't imagine navigating the potholes and parades of life with anyone else.

I am thankful for my annual momcation which gives me the opportunity to recharge, recalibrate, and explore new terrains and experiences. I am also thankful for the Moutons who hosted me this year in Hong Kong and helped me finally cross that destination off my bucket list after almost 30 years.

I am thankful for gift of working with teens on the brink of adulthood. Through my work with students I learn and I grow as an educator and as a person every day. I am thankful that they allow me to be a part of their journeys. I am thankful for the real talk, conversations, challenges, laughs and for the many times I am inspired by them.

I am thankful for books as a means of escape, of information, of exploration and of inspiration. I am also thankful that I get to share my love of books with my son. My favorite time of the day is at bedtime when we each take turns reading to each other.

I am thankful for podcasts that help me pass my time as I walk around the loop (and exercise), but also as a way for me to learn and hear about things and from people who speak to my heart and to my interests.

I am thankful for social media and the way it has allowed me to stay in touch and connected to family, friends, classmates, and former students. I am also thankful for social media as a way to be connected to educators around the world and to expand my PLN.

I am thankful for English Breakfast tea. It starts my day. It soothes me. It helps me pause before speaking. And it reminds me of home.

I am thankful for feel good holiday movies. They may be predictable, but I look forward to the goodness, cheer, and love at the heart of the plot. i am also thankful for the remake of Anne of Green Gables airing tonight and of the release of some new Gilmore Girls episodes on Netflix. Part of the way I practice self-care is by make the time to be still and enjoy the stories portrayed in television and film.

I am thankful for all the people past and present who have cheered me on, stood by me, showed up for me, and influenced me in one way or another. I am who I am because of all the people I have touched my life positively or negatively.

I am thankful for the true emotion that exists within my laughter and my tears.

I am thankful for the moments when I get to sit in stillness with my thoughts and reflect on where I have been, where I am and where I am going. I appreciate that these moments give me an opportunity to just be present and to just make time for me and what I need.

I am thankful for the struggles, challenges, and disappointments of life from which I have grown and learned. It is by making it through these moments that I have found my strength, developed a better sense of self, and figured out more about who I am and want to be.

I am thankful for the times when I have taken risks. It is not easy to put oneself out there or to take a windy path to get to where one is going, but the ripple effect of my decisions and risks have resulted in me being where I am right now, having the family I have, and in me being who I am today. I am blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!