I have fallen off the documentation wagon when it comes to listing the things for which I am grateful for the week. Given the events of this week, I feel like an intentional look at my glass as half full wouldn’t be such a bad idea. So below is a partial list of the things for which I’m grateful this week. In no particular order.

1. I’m grateful that I’ve been through this layoff thing before and can share that perspective with those who are experiencing it for the first time.
2. I’m grateful that I don’t really like this job and this situation (like time x2) feels like a “get out of jail free” card – even as it adds a scary layer of uncertainty and danger to paying bills.
3. I’m grateful that this time there is a severance package (which was missing from the last two times.)
4. I’m grateful that times have changed such that the severence package includes a “pay for COBRA at your regular rate” during the severence period, at least.
5. I’m grateful for the communities of support I have around me this time. This is a stark contrast to the other times.
6. I’m grateful that DS1 came home for the weekend with a couple of his friends. While I saw him for a total of 74 minutes the entire weekend, it was good to have him here.
7. I’m grateful (again!) that I have a house where I can extend hospitality, both to DS1’s friends and to the local sisters that came together from the ELCA and LDA communities for fellowship and conversation on Saturday.
8. I’m grateful that hosting that gathering and the boys motivated me to get a good portion of the downstairs cleaned. I hope to keep up the trend and be ready to host Thanksgiving in only a couple of weeks!
9. I’m grateful that my friend PrLE was installed as pastor of a very socially active inner city congregation today. (Although, I’m sad that I missed being there.)
10. I’m grateful for the musicianship of Paul Manz, organist, composer and arranger who died last week. (Although, I didn’t make it to the memorial service Sunday afternoon.)
11. I’m grateful for the amount of really great theater in this city and the disposable income (for a while anyway!) to go see some it. Specifically, this week I got to see “The Full Monty” with G. on Thursday night.
12. I’m grateful I’m developing the wisdom to stay home and not try to go to everything I’ve been invited to or “should” attend.
13. I’m grateful to have had the chance to watch “Men in Black” with DS2 on Friday night.
14. I’m grateful for G who came over to the house on Thursday afternoon to help with getting the house ready for company this weekend.
15. I’m grateful for the wonderful weather we’ve had the last couple of days and G who asked me to take a walk tonight after supper.
16. I’m grateful for my “No New Groceries” experiment and how it is cleansing my palate by forcing me to use the good food I have through my CSA and stored in my freezer.

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Just a reminder that I’m in the midst of the No New Groceries challenge. I expect to save about $1000 this month and have donated $100 to Lutheran World Hunger. I’ll donate another $1 for every $1 one of you donates to a hunger cause – local, national or international – up to another $100.

So far we’re up to $64. Anyone else?

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Bridge to … 2008
An email I won’t send. And one I did. 2007
Christian or not? 2004
Gary Hart 2004

November 8th, 2009 | Category: my crazy life | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL