119. Today I am grateful to be home for Christmas

Miky and the cute gingerbread house she made

Yay! I am Home! This year is the latest I have ever been home for Christmas. I guess that’s what happens when you’re working. I had a fun day at work though, joining the classroom for a pyjama party and watching a “Charlie Brown Christmas”. I am also really grateful for 2 of my coworkers, one gave me a ride to work and another gave me a ride to the airport which was really nice. I washed my car last night and it was nice to know that it would stay nice and clean and dry in the garage for the next 2 weeks.

Anyways, back to my family. I hadn’t seen them since the summer and as far as Christmas; there is just something about being with your family that increases the Christmas spirit. We watched The Kranks Christmas together tonight which was kind of corny but funny and also touched on family togetherness over the Christmas season. I am really excited for the next 2 weeks because I will be spending one week here in BC and a week in Utah with Melissa and her family. I will get to see everyone! J

118. Today I am grateful to know that there is life after death

Rachelle Elliott (middle)

In my first entry I wrote about a friend of mine who passed away and how I had wondered if she knew how grateful I was for her and our friendship. It was 6 years ago today. Rachelle was a friend who was always there when I needed someone to talk to, always there when I wanted someone to be with. She cared more about other people being happy or doing something for others than her own happiness and her own needs or wants.  She made me laugh.

Often something will happen and I will think to myself, Rachelle would have loved to have been there or she would have thought this was really funny. At the time Melissa (my twin) was pregnant with her first child and Rachelle was so excited for Melissa to be a mom and was really looking forward to meeting the baby. Perhaps she did.

It was hard to accept that Rachelle had passed away; it didn’t seem real until the day of her funeral. The funeral was held after Christmas and I was given an opportunity to speak. Over that Christmas season I reflected a lot on the Savior and the atonement and crucifixion. I know that Jesus Christ provided a way for us to return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father again. I know that each one of us has a purpose to our life, no matter how long our mortal experience is. I know that there is life after death and continuing work for us to accomplish and I am grateful for that knowledge.

117. Today I am grateful for the beautiful sunset on the shortest day of the year

As I was driving home from work I was amazed by the breathtaking beauty of the sunset. December 21 is famous for being the shortest day of the year and I am grateful that the day ended beautifully. While watching the sunset this evening I felt the love that Heavenly Father has for his children and for the earth. The sun setting symbolized to me that each day is a gift that should be cherished and that we need to take time to recognize the beauty of each day.

116. Today I am grateful for lunch with my co-workers and getting out of work early

Twice a year the agency I work for takes its employers out for lunch and give them the afternoon off (with pay). One is at the end of the school year before the classroom staff leaves for the summer and the other is just before Christmas. It was really nice to go out for lunch with my coworkers and get to talk with a few of them and it was also really nice to have the afternoon off. I really love my job and the work I do but it is also nice to have employers who recognize that it is important to have some time to yourself, relax and to feel appreciated.   

115. Today I am grateful for my brother, Craig



Craig on his first birthday

When I think back to my childhood one of the first things that come to mind is the fun I had playing with my twin sister and my brother. Craig is 3 years younger than me and for a long time it was the three of us. One of the games we would play was our own versions of game shows where Craig would be the game show host. We would also play star search where our parents would be the judges. We really need to dig out those videos. On second thought, maybe not ... hahaha. Craig has always been able to, and still does, make me laugh. I have plenty of stories to share with his future wife and children.

One of the things I admire about Craig is his desire and willingness to help others. This past summer I went home to BC for a week and one of the reasons I went was to buy my Moms car. However, I didn’t want to drive back to Edmonton on my own so Craig not only offered to come with me but he drove the whole way. I really enjoyed the conversations we had on that road trip and playing some more childhood games of “I am going on a vacation and I’m bringing with me ...” and taking turns naming countries, movies, etc beginning with each letter of the alphabet.

Today is Craig’s Birthday and I want to wish him a wonderful birthday and let him know that I am grateful that he is my brother.  

114. Today I am grateful for a Sunday school lesson on gratitude

Today our Sunday school lesson was on gratitude and I really liked how the Sunday school teacher gave the lesson. Being the last Sunday of the year our ward was meeting I think the instructors were able to choose their own topics. It seemed fitting that the topic of the class I attended was on gratitude. Our Sunday school teacher gave the class a topic such as “A person” or a “physical ability” and then gave each person an opportunity to respond. I have found that it can be difficult sometimes to come up with something I am grateful for each day. Particularly when it comes to simple things that may not readily come to mind; however, often simple things can bring so much joy.

I am also grateful for this Sunday school teacher; she is such a wonderful example to me of a genuine and sincere person. The enthusiasm, optimism and gratitude for life she shows, despite enduring many challenges has also been an inspiration to me.

113. Today I am grateful to be a bridesmaid

Yesterday I wrote about my gratitude to witness a friend’s wedding and today was another day of wedding fun at the reception. As one of her bridesmaids, I am also grateful that I was able to play a part in the planning and celebration. It’s not about the title of “bridesmaid” as I would have done everything I did (well ... maybe except for wearing a velvet dress) regardless. I am grateful though that my friend valued my friendship enough to have wanted me by her side as she planned her wedding.