
I haven't had a chance to get online to post as many of the items that I am thankful for, but I kept track. This month I have noticed many little things that made my heart smile. Enjoy my little list.
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Usually I'm a just-on-time/just-a-little-late to church goer. (I could give excuses, but...) So this last week, I was EARLY! :) (I believe in celebrating small achievements.) Not my point. On my way I noticed many of our wonderful ward brethren walking to church. Seeing them reminded me how thankful I am for faithful men. Sometimes seeing their faith exemplified in their actions touches me more deeply than hearing their testimonies shared in testimony meetings.
I am thankful for faithful men.
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Similar to the previous one, I am thankful for faithful boys.
A few Sundays ago I watched, somewhat in amusement, as the Deacons in my ward became confused and frantically tried to administer the Sacrament. After regaining order, it was required to have more bread blessed, just for them. In my ward, the deacons administer to each other. As they did so my heart was touched.
I am thankful for faithful boys.
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I am thankful to see my piano students progress.
My dream as a teenager, (after going on tour with a theater company and then becoming disenchanted by agents at 14) was to be a concert pianist. I was pretty good - 17 years ago. My Juilliard-trained piano teacher said I had surpassed her teaching capabilities and suggested I move on to someone who could coach me in preparation for college auditions. That never happened. Life, or the surviving of life, got in my way. I was promised in blessings that I would "prosper in my music", but my dreams of Carnegie Hall have vanished as time has passed. I'm not that good at playing anymore. I miss my piano, and there is never one accessible to me anymore. I have been teaching for 19 years now. Crazy to think about that! And as I run into other teachers and other pianists I wonder how well I measure up. Mostly, teaching is a nice fall-back as it pays better than anything else I can get. So sometimes I feel like a fraud, and I am afraid that sooner or later someone will run in and say I need to reimburse these poor swindled parents. But then, I get miracles. A girl who struggled in controlling her hands when she started is now playing Arpeggios and Hanon exercises 1-4 like a pro. A little boy who would throw tantrums and yell "I hate piano!" and slam the door in my face when I got there is now on grade level two, diligently practicing an Etude far above his skill level because he likes it. And I overheard a teenager, who said she really wanted to play a different instrument when I started with her, tell her mother after a few lessons that I was "really good" and "unlike any other teacher." When their moms gush their kids are "better than their cousins" and thank me because their kids "love piano lessons" I know in small ways I'm making a difference. And I am "prospering in my music."
I am thankful for seeing my piano students love music and miraculously learn to play.
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I am thankful that 400 S is now open to the freeway!
I am thankful that Wal-mart was open on Thanksgiving and I got pumpkin pie.
I am thankful for positions that have opened on campus and that I may get a real job soon.
I am thankful I've lost nearly 40 pounds since July! (Woohoo!)
I am thankful my massage table feels like a bed.
I am thankful for my neighbor across the street who rescued me when I ran out of gas. (Can't wait til I have more funds, so I am not always running on fumes)
I am thankful for friends, esp those who were concerned about me Thanksgiving and called relatives to see if I could go to those homes for dinner. (Very thoughtful and sweet)
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I am very thankful for how peaceful and non-depressing this Thanksgiving was. I didn't feel the need to go anywhere. I don't belong anywhere, so it was nice I got to stay home. I hadn't realized how stress-relieving it is to not feel obligated to be somewhere. I spent the morning preening and primping in a at-home spa day, then went out to a bland predictable movie. Afterward, I had planned on going to Mimi's Cafe to pick up dinner, but they closed early, so I went to Wal-mart and bought a nice turkey and stuffing Marie Calendar dinner, sparkling cider, and pumpkin pie, and spent less than I would have at MC's. I called my cute sisters and got texts back from almost everyone I texted "Happy Thanksgiving" to. I felt loved, and remembered (mostly) and relaxed.
I am Thankful for my own little Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
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