What are you thankful for? | 4 minute read

I, Justin, am sitting in a cozy home in the woods, being stared at by a cute dog with pointy ears. Andrea is still in her pajamas, the coffee is on, and her parents are making breakfast. It’s a slow Saturday. We slept in a bunkie with a tin roof last night, lulled to sleep by the constant drip of raindrops.

These small joys are all things I’m thankful for. Later today, we’ll be golfing with Andrea’s family and tonight, if the rain holds, we’ll have a bonfire. Tomorrow I’ll visit my family, which will include meeting my niece for the first time.

At some point this weekend, I’ll go for a long run as part of training for an upcoming race. I’m thankful for a body that, despite it starting to feel its age more and more every year — is strong enough to do things like that.

For this week’s post, I thought it’d be a good idea for all three of us — myself, Tyler, and Jon — to share a list of things we’re thankful for. Maybe it’ll help you create your own.

Tyler

Loss of a family member, a job, and a home marked my year. The lagging indicators —grief, financial stress, and endless to-dos — made it harder.

And through it all, there are my kids, grounding me.

Achieving, challenging themselves, and believing in themselves.

My daughter didn’t get into her choice of Girl Guides, so she went to a new troop — no friends, no familiar faces — and found a leader who loves crafting as much as she does.

She passed every swim level and now trains with kids five years older — faster and stronger — and she’s diving deep and rising up.

My son started a new school. What used to be a two-minute walk is now a bus and a streetcar. Despite that, he hasn’t been late once. He made it as a goalie on a rep hockey team. He’s meeting new faces and facing new challenges every week.

Even if it feels like I’m drowning in six feet of water, their smiles keep me afloat. Everyone has their own storm. Mine might seem small to them. Theirs might be the biggest thing they’ve ever faced.

I’m grateful to watch their struggles and strengths, to serve as a reminder to face my own and power through. 

Jon

I have a reminder on my calendar to do a deep reflection on things I’m grateful for every Monday. One theme that came up constantly this year is "community". I mean it in the literal sense, like living in a part of the city that has a true community feeling. Neighbours who say hello and look out for our house when we’re on vacation.

But I also mean it in the figurative sense, like the community of friends I have even if they live in different countries and we mostly keep in touch on the phone. Or the community of Dads I have to vent to when I feel like I am failing as a father. Lastly, I’m thankful for the community we’re creating here at Saving Sundays with Justin and Tyler. 

The pebble

The challenge

Enjoy your Sunday and, hopefully, an extra day off on Monday.