This week I have a lot for which to be grateful. I have a lot for which I’m grieving too, but in the midst of that grief is a big measure of gratitude. In no particular order, and with no guarantee of comprehensiveness:

1. I got to play for worship again. It was good to be back with those folks making music.
2. I had the ready cash to get DS1 what he needed to set up dorm-keeping (let’s be honest, it’s not “housekeeping” quite yet.)
3. I had the chance in to say farewell to my good dear friends A&Z who are moving to Michigan so Z can begin his doctoral studies. They have been a cornerstone of my support network during and since the divorce. It will be hard to have them so far away. But I am grateful for having had them in my life for this season.
4. I spent the Wednesday with my Darling Son #1 helping him move into the next big chapter in his life. I’m overjoyed that he has made this step and know that he will have a marvelous experience. I’m grateful that I feel (despite the little demons that try to argue otherwise) that I have done a good job, so far and have equipped him to be independent while able to build a community around him, someone who can think for himself and make friends.
5. I am grateful for the many strong and amazing women who walked this journey with me this week (or last week or next week) Sr.N, PrL, JS and the other JS, JvH and Lisa and I’m sure several others that I’m forgetting just now as I write this. Not to mention women SrK and SrS who, while don’t have children this age yet, listened to me with empathy and sympathy and humor – and really good advice.
6. I’m grateful for a really good conversation with PrM on Thursday. It could so easily be the perfect next job/call if we can figure out the money part. Oh and if I can get my fingers (and feet) ready for a nominal audition/2nd interview.
7. I’m grateful for G, who despite some typically male foibles, really does a good job of listening empathetically.
8. I’m grateful for the way people behaved at the ELCA churchwide assembly (for the most part, anyway) and VERY grateful for the decisions that were made both around the Social Statement on Human Sexuality (I wrote about it back here too, when we studied it at the congregation) and about the votes on the resolutions. So many people I know and love have been under a pall for so long. The tears of joy and relief at finally being accepted and acknowledged by the church they love cannot be overstated. And I’m sure I’m stating it poorly here.
9. I’m grateful that these decisions by the churchwide assembly align with my reading of the gospel and ministry of Jesus that instituted a radical inclusiveness that offended sensibilities back then and apparently still does today. But those that are outside “nice” society are in. And that’s the way it should be. Way to go, Jesus!
10. I’m grateful for a weekend where I didn’t have to be too many places or have to do too many things. So that I could rest up from the very big and emotional week.
11. I’m grateful for a beautiful evening with a beautiful sunset and a crescent of a waxing moon.
12. I’m grateful for SrK turning me on to Sparkpeople.com, a FREE diet/exercise/healthy lifestyle tracking site that is built around Web 2.0 community style support. It’s a lot like WW online, but free.
13. I’m grateful that I didn’t try to start too much on sparkpeople.com this week. I was only going to track what I ate and not worry if I did it perfectly or not (which I didn’t) and try to get 8 hours of sleep a night (which I didn’t).