Thankful Me

Photo: Statues of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on horseback face the white Nauvoo Temple at dusk Big cities are often named as vacation destinations, but small towns offer their own attractions. My husband and I traveled to Missouri and Illinois last month, and we drove mostly on two-lane highways and stayed mainly in less-populated areas. Nauvoo, Illinois, is such a place. Since I was a child, I have loved hearing pioneer stories. I read the "Little House" books of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I learned about the Oregon Trail and was proud to live in the Willamette Valley, and I sang "Come, Come Ye Saints" in church.  Though I am not descended from those who walked the Mormon Trail, I do share their faith and am thankful for their sacrifices. I have always wanted to visit Nauvoo, which housed the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1839-1846. I wanted to be able to see the historic buildings and imagine what life was like 175 years ago. 

Photo: A large Christmas cactus is covered with bright red blossoms As we head into the Thanksgiving week, I'm finding it easy to notice things around me that bring a sense of gratitude. I could have been born in a different place and time, but instead, I'm living here and now. The very fact that I don't need to worry about whether or not my basic needs will be met is reason enough to recognize what a blessing that is. Even in the here and now, though, there are those who struggle to obtain the simple necessities. While I may be better off than some, I am not better than any. Noticing things that I am thankful for brings me both a feeling of joy and peace along with a sense of responsibility to do what I can to help relieve the pain of others.  Each week, bloggers all over the world come together to share thankfulness. We get a glimpse inside the life of each person, and we recognize that gratitude comes to all, as they seek it. Won't you join us? This week,

A smiling woman and the caption: "Join us for RootsTech's 10 Year Anniversary to celebrate THE STORY OF YOU rootstech February 26-29, 2020 Salt Lake City In February of 2018, not knowing exactly what to expect, I attended RootsTech for the first time . What I learned is that RootsTech has something for everyone , from the most beginner of beginners to professional DNA genealogists. If you are interested in your own family story, come to RootsTech !  RootsTech offers over 300 classes, amazing keynote speakers, an Expo Hall packed with all sorts of vendors, and evening cultural events.  After an enjoyable experience in 2018, I returned in 2019, and even got my husband, John, to come one of the days to hear Saroo Brierley give a keynote address.  Photo: Saroo Brierley pauses from signing his book to smile at the camera with John and me Speaking of keynote addresses, this week RootsTech just announced that one of the speakers for 2020 will be David Hume Kennerly , a

Photo: A little wooden pumpkin with a sign saying, "Be thankful" I've decided to take a day-by-day approach to my list this week, starting with last Saturday, the day after I posted my last TToT.  Saturday morning--John and I, along with hundreds of other people, attended the funeral of one of our neighbors. It was mentioned several times that she was devoted to her faith and her family. I'm thankful for her example, for peace that comes from faith, and for the love of family. Saturday afternoon--We painted our master bathroom. It was one of the few rooms that didn't get painted before we moved into this house. While I know that not everyone would put such a dark color on the walls, we like the change. I'm thankful that John and I like similar colors.  Photo: A before and after. On the left, an off-white wall, and on the right, the wall is painted a darker blue color ("Puddlejumper") Sunday--We aren't the Tabernacle Choir at T

Photo: A wooden-framed sign that says simply, "thankful" When I started this blog, I thought hard about what to name it, and finally decided upon "Thankful Me"--not because I was a PollyAnna, but because I realized how easy it was to complain, and thought that if I described myself as thankful, I would be better at internalizing that trait. With the Ten Things of Thankful (started by Lizzi ), I found a community of bloggers who also were striving to look for the good around them. One of the observations I have made as I have read the many posts throughout the years is that those who regularly list things they are thankful for are also those who are regularly giving back--to their families, friends, and communities, whether in-person or online (or both). True thanksgiving isn't about getting up on a rameumptom  and declaring how much better off you are than your neighbor; it's humble gratitude with an irrepressible urge to help others. That's what I

Photo: Five children look over a fence at the zoo to see the rhinos Thanks to the miracles of birth and adoption, the children came quickly--five within an eight-year span--and twenty-eight years after the first arrived, the last launched. Those almost-three decades, which simultaneously passed by slowly and all-too-quickly,  provided plenty of on-the-job opportunities to develop skills in  teaching, nursing, child psychology, culinary arts, taxi-driving . . . in short, parenting. Just like that, it was over--not her role as mother, that would be forever--but the little moments like kissing boo-boos better, snuggling during bedtime stories, listening to budding musicians practice their instruments, and visiting parks each week during the summers. As wonderful as those moments were, though, and as easy as nostalgia could come, the empty-nest was always the goal: raising children to become independent, confident, happy adults. They are soaring on their own. The parents can relax a b

Photo: A two-lane highway heads off in the distance under pink clouds. I love to travel, and it's a good thing, too, because I need lots of practice in reporting on the various places I've visited. I always have ambitious plans of writing up wonderful posts as soon as I return, but somehow doing laundry takes priority.  Last month, John and I traveled to Illinois and Missouri, and while that might not sound like an exciting, exotic vacation, I can tell you that it was delightful.  While sitting in the airport awaiting our departure, I pulled my boarding pass up on my phone, and realized that my seat had changed. My first reaction was not happy, but when I realized that John's seat assignment had also changed, and we had been upgraded to Comfort Plus, I was quickly OK with the change. (Thank you, #Delta!) I had only ever flown coach, so to have a little more leg and seat room, priority boarding, a designated overhead bin, and better snacks (including fresh fruit!) w

Photo: A brilliant sliver of a sunset under cloudy skies Although the number of good moments in October outnumbered the sad, I'm still thankful it is now November! November brings: 1. a time change. I'm thankful that mornings will be lighter earlier. 2. John's birthday. I'm thankful for him, and love thinking of ways to make his day special. 3. Drexel's birthday. He will be 7 years old this month. Time passes so quickly! I'm thankful for him; he's a good dog.  4. Thanksgiving. I'm thankful we have a designated day to remember to be thankful. 5. Oldest granddaughter's birthday. She will also be 7 this month. Time passes so quickly! I'm thankful for her; she's a sweet girl. Other things I'm thankful for this week: 6. Books. I read Educated   and started It's All Relative. Educated is thought-provoking on many levels. I'm looking forward to finishing It's All Relative ; I started it in the Baker City Public Library