Life has been so stressful and hard this year. I was going to write about what’s made it a hard year, and maybe at some point I will write a little bit about that. But I have decided that I want to focus on what’s going “right” in my life right now, and focus on the blessings in my life, even if all I can see are tiny ones that I might otherwise label as “a given”.
Things I am Thankful For Today:
It started snowing a few days ago. It snowed more last night and there’s finally enough on the ground for the kids to enjoy so they are playing outside in the backyard right now enjoying some winer-time fun and making some fun childhood memories. I am thankful we get snow here every winter for them to play in. I know that a lot of people dislike snow because it can be frustrating and inconvenient (at a minimum) to deal with every winter, but I grew up on the western side of the Pacific Northwest where we rarely got snow in the winter. Maybe a light dusting once a winter every other winter or two and only one “real” snowfall (about 4 tot 6 inches) every 3 to 4 years back then. Getting to experience snow in the winter as a kid in the PNW was a welcomed surprise for me, my sisters, and our friends. It was so fun and so special and I just love seeing my kids smile and laugh and giggle and having a blast as they let themselves become utterly and totally absorbed in the fun of winter snowfall. It’s magical just watching them have fun like that.
Today I have less muscle weakness and more energy. I’ve been struggling with more muscle weakness for the majority of the last 2 or 2.5 weeks now. But today is better. Only my hands have been a little weak a few times today, and that is such an improvement from earlier this week.
I got showered, dressed, and ready first thing this morning today. I haven’t had the chance to do that first thing in the morning for a few weeks. It might sound weird, but it’s one of those small things that help me feel more “accomplished” each day because it helps me feel like my morning is off to a “strong start”. Not that showering first thing in the morning actually does or does not. It’s just something that me, personally, get my mindset on a positive and upward trajectory for the day.
These are just a few things I am thankful for today. My kiddos are now back inside and warming up next to the fireplace after playing in the snow, and are now requesting hot chocolate. I love so much that they associate playing in the snow with drinking hot chocolate to warm up with after coming back inside from the winter cold. It’s one of those “small thing” that tells me we are building family traditions, after all, which is something I often lament that I don’t feel like I am very good at or knowing how to make fun or meaningful enough memories for my kids to look back on one day and actually reminisce over with fondness for those memories we made together. But hearing them excitedly ask just a moment ago, “Mom, can we have hot cocoa now, please?!” tells me that maybe I am doing better than I thought I was.
Off to make some hot chocolate with my not-so-little Littles.
– Stacy
