This weekend I unearthed a piece of paper from one of our staff devotions earlier this year. A colleague had put up all kinds of pictures and asked us to go around the room, finding one that spoke to us. There was so much variety in the pictures that it was difficult to choose. But I did find one. It was a photograph of a woman pointing. It struck me that I wanted to be that woman. I want to be a woman who points to God. I want to show where I see God in my life. I want to be a woman who points out the gifts God has given to others and one who points out the goodness in situations. Sometimes I also need to have others pointing for me. I need to have my eyes opened to see and to look for God.
The woman in the photograph had a calm, and yet excited, look on her face. I want/need that. I am continuing to strive to BE STILL, so that I can become more like that woman. The challenge continues to be balancing the BEING and the DOING.
My list of gifts continues......
887) popcorn
888) long weekends
889) observing a wise colleague dealing with student issues
890) encouragement from colleagues
891) technicians who can set up wireless internet
892) wireless and secure internet
893) word games
894) being able to bless someone else the way I have been blessed by others
895) the generosity of others in giving time
896) the generosity of others in thinking of my needs (Thanks, B.K.)
897) being inspired at convention
898) the pleasant surprise of creating a pleasing piece of art
899) learning a simply art technique to use with students
900) the huge heartfelt hug meeting up with a friend I hadn't seen since summer time (Thanks, J.R.)
901) experiencing complete confusion during an activity during a workshop - which will help me understand anew when children feel lost
902) lunch with colleagues
903) rides with colleagues
904) successfully taking public transit home (something I do extremely rarely)
905) the passion of others - coming through in their presentations
906) walking through the exhibits and realizing how muchI already have and that I don't need anything more
907) Skyping with two of my sisters
908) figuring out how to download an e-book from the library (although I'm not so sure I like reading that way, to be honest)
909) a colleague/friend gently reminding me of the gift of my life (Thanks, G.E.)
910) Saturday morning - still in pyjamas, chai tea in hand, listening to Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Cafe
911) the prospect of a day with no demands or "to do" lists (or at least the prospect of ignoring these)
912) the excitement of students for things they're working one - so much so that several took the work home to work on
913) the gift of rest
914) walking down the hall, or across the field and having a small hand slip into my hand
915) hugs in the hall from former students
916) growing relationships with students, the relationships becoming stronger as we spend more time together
917) great news a colleague received about her dad's health
918) roaming the crowds of teachers at convention and periodically seeing familiar face and exchanging smiles and greetings as we passed each other
919) finishing a bag for my computer
920) the sound of silence
921) peanut butter on toast
922) the satisfaction of having fresh homemade lunches (pizza rolls) in the freezer, ready to get me through report card season
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Big Picture
I saw an amazing play this afternoon. It was called "The Big Picture." This play tells the gospel story - from creation to Revelations. It was done beautifully - truly showing God's amazing love, faithfulness, and forgiveness. If there was a DVD of the play, I would have bought it as it would be amazing to watch again.
Throughout the play, several lines were repeated many times. Simple yet powerful lines and reminders.
1) Are we there? Not yet. Quite the statement for our lives. Are we there? Not yet. But we'll get there. During the play, I thought that the line would change at the end of the play - during Revelations. Are we there? YES! But that was not the case. And, in retrospect, that makes sense. We aren't there yet. But we will get there.
2) Trust me. God spoke those words many times during the play. Reminding us that we can trust Him. Unfortunately there were also times during the play that the words were uttered by those we cannot trust. Reminding us that we need to be discerning and listen carefully to the voices so that we know who is speaking to us.
3) I cannot help but love you. How powerful to see the actor portraying God speaking these words to people from the Biblical story. And then to realize that He speaks the words to me as well. Wow.
4) Abba will provide. God, our Father, will always provide. Seeing that again through the stories from the Old Testament was powerful.
5) Go. The people in the Bible were repeatedly commissioned to do the work God had for them. He sent them out. He sends us out. The words were also used when the people were banished (albeit temporarily). At one point during the play, the disciples were being sent out, told to go, to teach and heal. The words teach and heal were repeated several times. That got me thinking that those words are a great summary of what our job as disciples is. To teach and to heal. Pretty simple. And pretty difficult!
6) With me, nothing is impossible. A reminder that God is all-powerful and that we must not let our doubts limit possibilities.
There were a couple of other aspects of the play that touched me. When God spoke to people, He physically breathed His spirit into them. Powerful to see. When the prophets spoke, the actor portraying the prophet and the actor portraying God both spoke in synchronization, symbolizing how God speaks through the prophets. Again, powerful to see this done visually.
Throughout the play a stone was used as a symbol of the covenant God has made with His people. It was passed from person to person. It was amazing to see that kind of physical representation of God's covenant. Made it all the more real and powerful, that's for sure. At the end, the actors all stood at the front of the stage, reaching out towards the people, each with a smaller stone in their hands. The covenant goes on with us. What a gift!
If I had the opportunity to see this play again, I would go in a heartbeat!
And now it's time to update the list of 1000 gifts.
854) the way my new coat feels, wrapping me gently nd richly
855) spontaneous dinner out and trip to the fabric store
856) curling up under a fleece blanket
857 - 860) - Saturday mornings, chai tea, reading the paper, listening to Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Cafe
861) opportunity to chat and encourage a friend after church
862) laughing with my students
863) opportunity to connect with individual students
864) a bright full moon rising
865) bright planets in the night sky
866) the constellation Orion (well, knowing a specific constellation and recognizing it in the night sky)
867) visiting a dear colleague
868) chatting with two of my siblings in one night
869) marvelling with my brother over the possibilities for vision - miracles in the making
870) observing students as they organize themselves and discuss a novel together
871) soup lunch at school - yum!
872) freshly cut hair
873) sewing time with friends
874) hearing that a book I gave a friend is blessing her
875) church dinner and fellowship around the table
876) gentle chiming wind chimes
877) lunch and a play with a friend
878) creative gifts of playwrights and actors
879) a play which tells the story of God and His love for His people (see post above)
880 - 885) repeated lines in the play - Trust me. I cannot help but love you. Abba, forgive me. With me, nothing is impossible. Abba will provide. Are we there? Not yet.
886) the symbolism of a stone and God's faithful promise throughout generations
Throughout the play, several lines were repeated many times. Simple yet powerful lines and reminders.
1) Are we there? Not yet. Quite the statement for our lives. Are we there? Not yet. But we'll get there. During the play, I thought that the line would change at the end of the play - during Revelations. Are we there? YES! But that was not the case. And, in retrospect, that makes sense. We aren't there yet. But we will get there.
2) Trust me. God spoke those words many times during the play. Reminding us that we can trust Him. Unfortunately there were also times during the play that the words were uttered by those we cannot trust. Reminding us that we need to be discerning and listen carefully to the voices so that we know who is speaking to us.
3) I cannot help but love you. How powerful to see the actor portraying God speaking these words to people from the Biblical story. And then to realize that He speaks the words to me as well. Wow.
4) Abba will provide. God, our Father, will always provide. Seeing that again through the stories from the Old Testament was powerful.
5) Go. The people in the Bible were repeatedly commissioned to do the work God had for them. He sent them out. He sends us out. The words were also used when the people were banished (albeit temporarily). At one point during the play, the disciples were being sent out, told to go, to teach and heal. The words teach and heal were repeated several times. That got me thinking that those words are a great summary of what our job as disciples is. To teach and to heal. Pretty simple. And pretty difficult!
6) With me, nothing is impossible. A reminder that God is all-powerful and that we must not let our doubts limit possibilities.
There were a couple of other aspects of the play that touched me. When God spoke to people, He physically breathed His spirit into them. Powerful to see. When the prophets spoke, the actor portraying the prophet and the actor portraying God both spoke in synchronization, symbolizing how God speaks through the prophets. Again, powerful to see this done visually.
Throughout the play a stone was used as a symbol of the covenant God has made with His people. It was passed from person to person. It was amazing to see that kind of physical representation of God's covenant. Made it all the more real and powerful, that's for sure. At the end, the actors all stood at the front of the stage, reaching out towards the people, each with a smaller stone in their hands. The covenant goes on with us. What a gift!
If I had the opportunity to see this play again, I would go in a heartbeat!
And now it's time to update the list of 1000 gifts.
854) the way my new coat feels, wrapping me gently nd richly
855) spontaneous dinner out and trip to the fabric store
856) curling up under a fleece blanket
857 - 860) - Saturday mornings, chai tea, reading the paper, listening to Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Cafe
861) opportunity to chat and encourage a friend after church
862) laughing with my students
863) opportunity to connect with individual students
864) a bright full moon rising
865) bright planets in the night sky
866) the constellation Orion (well, knowing a specific constellation and recognizing it in the night sky)
867) visiting a dear colleague
868) chatting with two of my siblings in one night
869) marvelling with my brother over the possibilities for vision - miracles in the making
870) observing students as they organize themselves and discuss a novel together
871) soup lunch at school - yum!
872) freshly cut hair
873) sewing time with friends
874) hearing that a book I gave a friend is blessing her
875) church dinner and fellowship around the table
876) gentle chiming wind chimes
877) lunch and a play with a friend
878) creative gifts of playwrights and actors
879) a play which tells the story of God and His love for His people (see post above)
880 - 885) repeated lines in the play - Trust me. I cannot help but love you. Abba, forgive me. With me, nothing is impossible. Abba will provide. Are we there? Not yet.
886) the symbolism of a stone and God's faithful promise throughout generations
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Light and Dark
I've been thinking about light and dark a lot lately. Partly because that's the science unit we just finished. Partly because it was just Christmas and light is a huge part of that time. Partly because it's winter, and the light is starting to come back. One of my colleagues made a thought-provoking statement on Monday (although she is prone to those and does so on a regular basis). She commented that darkness is most often looked at negatively and she thinks that there is a lot of good in the shadows. It's not all bad in the shadows. I think she's right. After all we wouldn't see the stars if not for the dark. We wouldn't see the moon and its changes if not for the dark. Darkness makes the light seem brighter. And that's a good thing.
Some of the good things I see - in the light of day and in the dark of night when I slow down and try to be still.....more gifts...
802) the insights of children
803) the gift of the written word
804) phrases that evoke emotion
805) dinners out with special people (J.S. and K.M.)
806) hugs and cuddles with dear girls
807) dinner with family (after being forgiven for forgetting to come for tea after work - oops!)
808) sunlight sparkling on the snow, looking like a carpet of diamonds
809) successful lessons - students working and learning
810) a bus so we didn't have to walk to the arena in frigid weather
811) fog on a winter morning, resulting in lacy dusts of frost on trees and plants
812) weather " warming up" enough that running errands isn't such a chore
813) being able to help a friend forget her anger and frustration for a few hours
814) energy to do a few things
815) talking on the phone with my mom and one of my sisters
816) encouragement from colleagues
817) nights of good, deep sleep
818) the sense of community I feel when I run into people I know when running errands
819) the feeling of satisfaction after tidying things up
820) a parent who offered to teach the skating lesson when I was nervous about being on the ice in my boots
821) coming home after a brisk winter walk and curling up in my favourite chair with a magazine and a cup of chai tea
822) sunny blue Alberta skies
823) yummy new recipe - and it's incredibly easy
824) my rotary cutter and cutting mat
825) having fabric scraps to use to make an iPad case
826) delighting in a new book to read -STATE OF WONDER
827) a new sweater for a ridiculously low price
828) hugs and laughter with children after church
829) celebrating communion
830) conversations at church
831) hugs from young and "less young" after church
832) the way prayer can settle my heart and calm my nerves
833) completing a very challenging quilt challenge (yes, I know I used the word challenge twice - deliberately so
834) dinner with colleagues - spontaneous plans (thanks C.V., K.G., and S.B.)
835) completing some marking and recording
836) students demonstrating confidence with a skill they didn't think they'd learn
837) the surprise of enjoying a book I didn't think I would like (Yes, I judged a book by its cover.)
838) finishing making an iPad cover - and loving it!
839) online tutorials
840) the joy of creating and the interplay of colour
841) coming home to a clean house
842) cards and e-mails from friends
843) my microwave rice cooker that cooks yummy brown rice in 18 minutes
844) gift cards
845) finding a new winter coat for an AMAZING deal - and it's even sort of dressy
846) browsing through my quilting magazines
847) completing some household chores that had been waiting for me
848) a weekend with time to be still
849) tea with friends and catching up on life
850) clean laundry
851) cozy blankets comforting me when I'm awake and can't sleep
852) a spontaneous hug from a student I wouldn't have expected one from
853) positive meetings with parents
Some of the good things I see - in the light of day and in the dark of night when I slow down and try to be still.....more gifts...
802) the insights of children
803) the gift of the written word
804) phrases that evoke emotion
805) dinners out with special people (J.S. and K.M.)
806) hugs and cuddles with dear girls
807) dinner with family (after being forgiven for forgetting to come for tea after work - oops!)
808) sunlight sparkling on the snow, looking like a carpet of diamonds
809) successful lessons - students working and learning
810) a bus so we didn't have to walk to the arena in frigid weather
811) fog on a winter morning, resulting in lacy dusts of frost on trees and plants
812) weather " warming up" enough that running errands isn't such a chore
813) being able to help a friend forget her anger and frustration for a few hours
814) energy to do a few things
815) talking on the phone with my mom and one of my sisters
816) encouragement from colleagues
817) nights of good, deep sleep
818) the sense of community I feel when I run into people I know when running errands
819) the feeling of satisfaction after tidying things up
820) a parent who offered to teach the skating lesson when I was nervous about being on the ice in my boots
821) coming home after a brisk winter walk and curling up in my favourite chair with a magazine and a cup of chai tea
822) sunny blue Alberta skies
823) yummy new recipe - and it's incredibly easy
824) my rotary cutter and cutting mat
825) having fabric scraps to use to make an iPad case
826) delighting in a new book to read -STATE OF WONDER
827) a new sweater for a ridiculously low price
828) hugs and laughter with children after church
829) celebrating communion
830) conversations at church
831) hugs from young and "less young" after church
832) the way prayer can settle my heart and calm my nerves
833) completing a very challenging quilt challenge (yes, I know I used the word challenge twice - deliberately so
834) dinner with colleagues - spontaneous plans (thanks C.V., K.G., and S.B.)
835) completing some marking and recording
836) students demonstrating confidence with a skill they didn't think they'd learn
837) the surprise of enjoying a book I didn't think I would like (Yes, I judged a book by its cover.)
838) finishing making an iPad cover - and loving it!
839) online tutorials
840) the joy of creating and the interplay of colour
841) coming home to a clean house
842) cards and e-mails from friends
843) my microwave rice cooker that cooks yummy brown rice in 18 minutes
844) gift cards
845) finding a new winter coat for an AMAZING deal - and it's even sort of dressy
846) browsing through my quilting magazines
847) completing some household chores that had been waiting for me
848) a weekend with time to be still
849) tea with friends and catching up on life
850) clean laundry
851) cozy blankets comforting me when I'm awake and can't sleep
852) a spontaneous hug from a student I wouldn't have expected one from
853) positive meetings with parents
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Augustine's Prayer
I just finished another book that really inspired me. BE THE MIRACLE by Regina Brett. It is both encouraging and incredibly challenging. In it she quoted a prayer by Augustine.
Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy.
Move into me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend what is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
When I finished reading this the first time, I just had to take a deep breath. And now, too, after typing it, I had to do the same. Just breathe. That's what I want for my life. And it is such a huge job. Good thing I don't have to do it alone. And it is a good thing that I am forgiven every time I slip up. That's what gives me hope.
And the reason to keep seeing the gifts of God in my life.
769) lunch with my sister J - at my house
770) relaxed shopping with my sister, my cousin, and my aunt
771) finishing the backs for 4 (yes, 4!) quilts
772) starting a new quilt with fabric I already had at home
773) peacefully reading
774) playing with my iPad - and having some success
775) being able to host my niece and her boyfriend overnight
776) and being able to spend some time with them
777) successful use of time at school - getting lots done in a short time
778) a quiet Saturday at home
779) a glass of cold milk
780) a purple pen
781) word games
782) crossword puzzles
783) discovering new music and musicians
784) fun with technology
785) the right timing to talk to two friends after church
786) full moon in the morning sky
787) pink sky as I walked outside for supervision
788) seeing children bravely skate for the first time - and making great progress
789) stepping outside - to sunshine on my face, birds singing, and the happy sounds of neighbors chatting
790) the gentle music of my wind chimes
791) the sweet memories of a special day in Oz and two special women when these wind chimes were purchased
792) a visit to a quilt shop and lunch with a friend
793) the delight of seeing students and colleagues after a break
794) a phone call and Skype (first time on my iPad) with a dear friend
795) the wonderful gift of love my friend has been given
796) being able to delight in it with her
797) anticipating sliding into bed with fresh clean sheets
798) supper and conversation with a friend
799) enjoying new music - courtesy of the library
800) witnessing the baptism of children
801) a friend giving me a quote that made her think of me - and having recorded that same piece when reading that book......"
A child lies like a grey pebble on the shore until a certain teacher picks him and dips him in water, and suddenly you see all the colors and patterns in the dull stone, and it's marvelous for the stone and marvelous for the teacher.". From ALONE IN THE CLASSROOM by Eizabeth Hay
Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy.
Move into me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend what is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
When I finished reading this the first time, I just had to take a deep breath. And now, too, after typing it, I had to do the same. Just breathe. That's what I want for my life. And it is such a huge job. Good thing I don't have to do it alone. And it is a good thing that I am forgiven every time I slip up. That's what gives me hope.
And the reason to keep seeing the gifts of God in my life.
769) lunch with my sister J - at my house
770) relaxed shopping with my sister, my cousin, and my aunt
771) finishing the backs for 4 (yes, 4!) quilts
772) starting a new quilt with fabric I already had at home
773) peacefully reading
774) playing with my iPad - and having some success
775) being able to host my niece and her boyfriend overnight
776) and being able to spend some time with them
777) successful use of time at school - getting lots done in a short time
778) a quiet Saturday at home
779) a glass of cold milk
780) a purple pen
781) word games
782) crossword puzzles
783) discovering new music and musicians
784) fun with technology
785) the right timing to talk to two friends after church
786) full moon in the morning sky
787) pink sky as I walked outside for supervision
788) seeing children bravely skate for the first time - and making great progress
789) stepping outside - to sunshine on my face, birds singing, and the happy sounds of neighbors chatting
790) the gentle music of my wind chimes
791) the sweet memories of a special day in Oz and two special women when these wind chimes were purchased
792) a visit to a quilt shop and lunch with a friend
793) the delight of seeing students and colleagues after a break
794) a phone call and Skype (first time on my iPad) with a dear friend
795) the wonderful gift of love my friend has been given
796) being able to delight in it with her
797) anticipating sliding into bed with fresh clean sheets
798) supper and conversation with a friend
799) enjoying new music - courtesy of the library
800) witnessing the baptism of children
801) a friend giving me a quote that made her think of me - and having recorded that same piece when reading that book......"
A child lies like a grey pebble on the shore until a certain teacher picks him and dips him in water, and suddenly you see all the colors and patterns in the dull stone, and it's marvelous for the stone and marvelous for the teacher.". From ALONE IN THE CLASSROOM by Eizabeth Hay
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Gift of Light
The idea of light in the darkness has been resonating strongly for me lately. I have been loving looking up at the dark night sky and seeing the gift of the beautiful blue it is just after sunset. The extra gift has been to see the small points of light adding brightness to the darkness - both stars and planets. It is amazing how little light is needed to brighten things. What a gift the light is. And since we just celebrated Christmas, what a gift the Light of the World is!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Be Still
Today is the last day of 2011. It's a time to look back over the year. My year was not at all what I had expected. And yet, despite the rougher times, it was a good year. I can say that I was able to truly experience what it means to be a part of community - on the receiving end this year. And it was good. I can say that I experienced what it means to feel the prayers of others supporting them. And it was good. I can say that I experienced the feeling of knowing that it was God who gave the strength and the hope and the encouragement. And it was good.
Tomorrow is the first day of 2012. Now is also a time to wonder about what the new year brings. None of us knows what that will be. And that is probably a good thing. What we do know is that God goes with us into this new year. And that is more than good! God gives us hope and the promise of His abundant blessings. And that is also more than good!
For the last number of years I have focused on words rather than making resolutions. While that focus got blurred at times, having the focus to come back to has been such a blessing to me.
For the last number of years, I couldn't decide which of several words to focus on, so I had a couple. This year is different. I do have one focus that I hope to base my life on.
Be still. This comes from Psalm 46:10. "Be still and know that I am God."
I want to take the time to be still. This means taking time to stop. Taking time to see God. To know God. It also means trying not to worry. To still the thoughts that sometimes swirl through my mind.
As I was putting in the pictures for this post, a thought about being still occurred to me. Still waters reflect their surroundings more clearly than rough water. I want to be still so that I can better reflect the gifts of God.
I love the way it is put in the Message. "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God."
Be still.
Tomorrow is the first day of 2012. Now is also a time to wonder about what the new year brings. None of us knows what that will be. And that is probably a good thing. What we do know is that God goes with us into this new year. And that is more than good! God gives us hope and the promise of His abundant blessings. And that is also more than good!
For the last number of years I have focused on words rather than making resolutions. While that focus got blurred at times, having the focus to come back to has been such a blessing to me.
For the last number of years, I couldn't decide which of several words to focus on, so I had a couple. This year is different. I do have one focus that I hope to base my life on.
Be still. This comes from Psalm 46:10. "Be still and know that I am God."
I want to take the time to be still. This means taking time to stop. Taking time to see God. To know God. It also means trying not to worry. To still the thoughts that sometimes swirl through my mind.
As I was putting in the pictures for this post, a thought about being still occurred to me. Still waters reflect their surroundings more clearly than rough water. I want to be still so that I can better reflect the gifts of God.
I love the way it is put in the Message. "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God."
Be still.
Christmas will never end.
The Christmas celebration with my family has ended. My time with family was wonderful. We really enjoyed each other's company. Many of us went to a candlelight service on the 24th before getting together at my brother's house. What a delight to worship together and then to enjoy our annual book exchange. It is such a good way that we can all be involved and celebrate. Christmas dinner was, as always, delightful. And the game of Catch Phrase afterwards will not be forgotten. Thanks, Dad, for your contribution to the memories. And thanks for being able to laugh with us.
The celebration of Christmas is over. But Christmas is not over - and it never will be. The true gift - the gift of Jesus is eternal. And everyday! What a reason to celebrate each and every day.
My list of gifts continues - heading closer to 1000!
744) a beautiful sunset of reds and oranges
745) a tiny sliver of the moon shining brightly in the deep blue of a winter morning sky
746) a child reaching for my hand
747) the words of encouragement on Christmas cards from students
748) the contentment I felt when I watched my students focused and learning - even during the last few days before holidays
749) the feeling of peace leaving work for a holiday - especially since all my marking is done
750)pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate - and made by a student
751) celebrating a friend's birthday with her - and with other friends
752) finishing mending for my sister (which had been sitting here since the summer and only took 30 minutes to do)
753) anticipating the look on her face when she opened her "gift"
754) packing to go spend Christmas with family
755) an eagle at the side of the highway - close enough to get a good look at
756) arriving "home" to my parents and a sister
757) hugs from nieces and nephews
758) delighting others with gifts
759) playing games with family
760) laughing with family
761) the camaraderie of working together to put together our part of the Christmas dinner
762) finding that elusive puzzle piece I had been searching for (which shouldn't have been hard to find)
763) going for lunch with my parents and a sister - and being served by my beautiful niece
764) completing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle
765) coming back "home" again to my home
766) lunch with a friend
767) running errands without feeling rushed
768) the opportunity to attend a World Junior Championship hockey game with family
The celebration of Christmas is over. But Christmas is not over - and it never will be. The true gift - the gift of Jesus is eternal. And everyday! What a reason to celebrate each and every day.
My list of gifts continues - heading closer to 1000!
744) a beautiful sunset of reds and oranges
745) a tiny sliver of the moon shining brightly in the deep blue of a winter morning sky
746) a child reaching for my hand
747) the words of encouragement on Christmas cards from students
748) the contentment I felt when I watched my students focused and learning - even during the last few days before holidays
749) the feeling of peace leaving work for a holiday - especially since all my marking is done
750)pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate - and made by a student
751) celebrating a friend's birthday with her - and with other friends
752) finishing mending for my sister (which had been sitting here since the summer and only took 30 minutes to do)
753) anticipating the look on her face when she opened her "gift"
754) packing to go spend Christmas with family
755) an eagle at the side of the highway - close enough to get a good look at
756) arriving "home" to my parents and a sister
757) hugs from nieces and nephews
758) delighting others with gifts
759) playing games with family
760) laughing with family
761) the camaraderie of working together to put together our part of the Christmas dinner
762) finding that elusive puzzle piece I had been searching for (which shouldn't have been hard to find)
763) going for lunch with my parents and a sister - and being served by my beautiful niece
764) completing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle
765) coming back "home" again to my home
766) lunch with a friend
767) running errands without feeling rushed
768) the opportunity to attend a World Junior Championship hockey game with family
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