Day 30: I'm Thankful to be at the End of this List!

You know, I am truly grateful for so many things. It has been a great experience putting them down in words, but I am also truly grateful to be at the end of this 30-day list of things. Like Marily, I'm grateful for lists. I use them to know what to get when I go shopping, to keep track of some things, to make sure I don't forget other things, and for the obvious extrinsic benefit of seeing things actually checked off from them. It's therapeutic!

Every day, there are so many things I give silent thanks for, and perhaps I should write these things down on a more regular basis, but keeping a journal of any type has never been my forte'. I give quiet thanks all day, every day, for the many things that come my way to be grateful for, but I don't usually write them down.

There are many things I'm good at, but keeping a personal history or diary isn't one of them. I wish it was. There are so many things in my life, good and not-so-good, that I probably should have chronicled for posterity, but it just didn't happen. Maybe, when I get less busy (haha), I'll start re-creating some of those events. (not!) I know myself. That's one thing I'm good at, and I know that writing stuff down is not one of the things I'm good at. I truly hope someday to change that, but it's not lookin' like it will be any time soon. The Lord knows what is in my heart, so I'm hoping He'll help me to remember things, so I can eventually write them down.

Suffice it to say, I have difficulties in my life that I have to deal with constantly. Who doesn't? But, I have so many things to be grateful for that 30 days is not sufficient to list them.

No, I don't plan to continue doing a day of thanks in this blog forever, even though it wouldn't hurt if I did. You can see that it took me like more than 2 years to get around to finishing the last 10 days of this list. One reason for this is the fact that it takes time to put down into words the way I feel about my children, and obviously, I can't do 30 days of thanks without spending a day on each one of them.

My life has been full of adventure, learning, and doing, along with many trials and hardships. I'm not a "sit-around-and-do-nothing" kind of person. I never will be one of those. I suppose that the fact I'm in my third year of a 5-year college plan, to start a new career, is proof enough of that. I love people, and I LOVE making and doing things. I'm so grateful that I am still physically able to keep making and doing things.

I just pray I'm always able to do so.

Day 29: I'm Thankful for Transportation

I am so thankful to be able to get around. Despite the whole not-having-a-car, for a really long time, I am able to get around town and get to things and places I need or want to.

I am able to have a bus/rail pass from school that is no longer free, but seriously inexpensive at only $40 per semester, and $25 for the whole summer. The bus situation in Mesa is pretty dire, but manageable most of the time. The light rail is really fun, and I have gotten well-acquainted with it through traveling to Phoenix's Downtown ASU campus for the past 3 semesters.

My classes for my college minor, Nonprofit Management, are all at the downtown campus. I have a few things to finish up an "incomplete" in 2 classes, and I'll be DONE with my minor classes. Yay! I'm thankful for that, too!G

I'm also very grateful to my amazing and loving son, Jeremiah, who has faithfully picked me up at the ASU Business College after my Monday night accounting class for the ENTIRE spring semester. When I learned that this "required" class was only given at night, I asked him if he had the time, and would be willing, to be my ride home on Monday nights. There is no bus going north on Stapley Drive in Mesa after 6:30 PM, so I either had to figure out some way to get home, or not take the class.

Thankfully, he was not only able, but was also willing. It has been a very fun and special experience enjoying those Monday night times to visit with him, catch up on things, and sometimes go by Taco Bell for food on the way home.

Jeremiah, you are my hero! Thanks so much! That class was REALLY HARD! I'm glad that class is over with, and I got a B!

Woo hoo!

The Third Day of Thanks! I Love School!

Well, today, the weekend is over, so it's back to school. Today, I'm thankful for school.

I'm thankful that I am able to go back to college after a long (very long) time away. Yes, I said it - I'm thankful for school. I love learning, and have sought learning in many different areas throughout my life. I'm grateful for the thirst for learning I have been blessed with. Now, I'm working toward a degree in order to start a new chapter in my life. I'm very thankful for the people who have helped make it possible for me to do so. I'm ever so grateful for people who believe in me and my ability to achieve my goals. And, I'm grateful for the renewed measure of health I've been granted in order to be able to pursue my dream.

I'm grateful for so many wonderful and interesting things to learn about and to learn to do. I'm grateful for people who love to teach. I'm grateful for the many choices for education that are available these days. I'm grateful for an inquisitive mind, and for a mind that can actually grasp the concepts I'm learning, and usually remember them.

I'm very thankful for the church's emphasis on the importance of continuous learning. I'm also extremely grateful for being given brilliant children and grandchildren. I'm so very thankful for having had, and continuing to have little children around to teach, and to learn from. I'm grateful for their example of open and eager thirst for knowledge. And, I'm grateful for the example of my parents concerning the importance of education. I'm grateful for being able to learn about spiritual things, as well as secular things.

Yay for School! And, Yay for LEARNING!!!