80. Today I am grateful for making it home safely

Today was the first major snowfall which came this afternoon. I am from the Vancouver area and so winter driving is foreign to me. Sure, we would get big snowfalls every now and then and icy roads, but like many Vancouverites, I didn’t drive then. Up to now I had always taken the bus or rode with experienced winter drivers. Now I have to experience winter driving and I will say that driving home today was pretty scary. I learned that snow and mud tires are not good on ice and so I will be looking at getting real snow tires. Although, I am assuming there will be a mad dash for winter tires this week.  I also learned that my breaks work great, so that’s good! Driving home today I prayed the whole way that I would get home safely without hitting anything (I was sliding a lot) and I did. I know that Heavenly Father was watching over me but I also believe that he expects me to help keep myself and others safe which includes getting tires made for icy conditions.

79. Today I am grateful for the baptismal covenant

Melissa, Dad, Sara-Jayne
November 11, 1990

On November 11, I wrote about remembering the sacrifices the soldiers made for their country during times of war. November 11 is also an important date to me personally as it was the day I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was eight years old. When I was baptized I took upon myself the name of Christ and promised to always remember him. This act of remembrance is even more important than remembering the sacrifices of the soldiers. Christ sacrificed himself for the world.

Last night I was sorting through a couple of boxes I still had to unpack and I found a printout of this quote by President George Q. Cannon:

“When we went forth into the waters of baptism and covenanted with our Father in Heaven to serve Him and keep His commandments, He bound Himself also by covenant to us that He would never desert us, never leave us to ourselves, never forget us, that in the midst of trials and hardships, when everything was arrayed against us, He would be near unto us and would sustain us. That was His covenant.”

I am grateful for the baptismal covenant and to know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I know that I am never alone. I am also grateful for the example of Jesus Christ who showed us the way and provided a way for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven.

78. Today I am grateful for the first snowfall

I woke up this morning to a dusting of snow on the rooftops. Although, summer is my favourite season, I really like the transitions between the seasons and I love the first snowfall. There is something romantic and magical about snow. I feel like the Christmas season should start today!

Ask me again, how I feel about the snow in January ... hahaha.  

77. Today I am grateful for those who fought for our freedom

Harry Johnson, WWI

Today at 11:00 many people paused for two minutes of silence to remember those who have fought to keep our country free. I went to a Remembrance Day ceremony today at the University of Alberta and behind me sat two young children with their grandparents who they talked to them a bit about Remembrance Day and what it meant. The little boy started talking about soldiers and said “Soldiers are people who go to war because they care about their country. Some of them come back and some of them don’t”. I thought that was pretty profound coming from a child who was probably about 5 or 6. I also appreciated that these grandparents where teaching their grandchildren the importance of remembering.   

On Remembrance Day there are two soldiers that I like to take the time to remember: My Grandpa Harry George Arthur Johnson and Great Grandfather Harry Johnson.

Harry G.A. Johnson, WWII

Great Grandpa Harry was born June 25, 1873 in Binfield, Berkshire, England and later moved to Fulham in London. He   served in the First World War with the 1^st battalion of the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). During his service he became terminally ill and was sent home where he died on April 7, 1917. He is buried in the Fulham old cemetery among the other casualties of the First World War. He left behind a wife and six children, ranging in ages from 7 months old to 14 years old.

Grandpa Harry was born April 16, 1906 in Fulham, London, England. I recently found the ship record that shows that he immigrated to Canada when he was 18 years old. He landed in Halifax and lived in several parts of Canada before settling in Vancouver. When the Second World War broke out, like his father, Harry Jr. also answered the call to serve his country. Grandpa Harry served with the 10th Field Squadron Royal Canadian Engineers. I have his war medals that were given to me by one of my uncles which is a pretty cool heirloom to be in possession of.  I was 6 years old when my Grandpa Harry died but I do have fond memories of him which I am grateful for.

Grave site of Harry Johnson
Fulham, London, England

My Grandpa wanted to be cremated and have his ashes spread across his father’s grave site. My uncle fulfilled his request and took his remains to England. In 2001, I went to London, England with my dad and we visited Great Grandpa Harry’s grave site. In memory of My Grandpa and his service with the Canadian army we placed a small Canadian flag at the grave site.

 I am grateful for the service given by my grandpa and Great Grandpa and hope to pass on their stories to future generations.

Is there anyone in particular that you remember on Remembrance Day? What is their story?

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning
  We will remember them.”

(For The Fallen, Laurence Binyon)

76. Today I am grateful for little surprises

I got into work this morning to find a pretty mug and package of apple cider on my desk. Little things like that do help you to feel appreciated, especially when it is not expected.

75. Today I am grateful for dental & health benefits

I have now passed the 3 month mark at my job and received information about the benefits package. There isn’t anything I immediately need but it is reassuring to have benefits.

74. Today I am grateful for gloves to keep my hands warm

I have only had to wear a hat and scarf a few times this fall but my hands get cold easily. Therefore, I am grateful for gloves to keep my hands warm.