I'm so Grateful

 I'm so Grateful                                                                                    December 31, 2020

As I write this blog tonight, I think of so many 2020 events. Many were so bad, sad, or scary, but there were many good things to come from this year, too.

As a former teacher, I saw so many "new teachers"-- the parents who had no ideas what their children needed to learn and found that teaching can be an exhausting job. However, parents plugged along and many actually enjoyed their extra work load. It was extra special time with family projects that sometimes made it exciting. I think many parents decided that they had underestimated the workload of the average teacher who, like them, might have a family, too.

As a parent, I was glad not to have small children at this time--I'd want them socializing with other children and being inquisitive in the world around them--but in this 2020 year, that was stifled. However, children were able to learn more from the parents who did provide extra learning opportunities, and those children continued to flourish.

In the medical field, brave men and women had to wear PPE constantly. They endured long hours with little rest. They stood for days and gave covid-19 tests to so many who drove up. However, these heroes endured the loss of some family time and visiting with their friends. Unfortunately, while saving many lives, they too, lost loved ones.  

As a volunteer, I continued donating to causes and working with those that I could. Many older citizens had to quit volunteering, though, and I imagine that laid heavily on their hearts. However, others, who now had extra time, and sometimes no job, stepped up and volunteered.

As an author, I was glad to see so many writers, illustrators, and local citizens reading to children. Not only were picture books read, but also poetry and chapters from middle grade books. Many of the picture books read are now on YouTube. Others were read on Zoom or Facebook. Many children could still hear a story, and hear it over and over.

As a museum lover, I was glad to see so many programs in history, science, and art shown on Facebook and Zoom. Children in Oklahoma learned from educational programs presented by the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, the Edmond Historical Museum, the Oklahoma City Zoo, and Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom. There are too many other educational programs in this region to mention, but I was so glad to see how they took part in educating the children who couldn't come to them.

Many of us thought of ways to help the children--our future. We didn't want them to get behind in school. We wanted to contribute to their education. We wanted to volunteer, to help others in any  possible way that we could. And, we did. There were many unsung heroes.

It was an  unusual year, but just sit down and think of a few good things that happened to you. Forget the sad, bad, and ugly things that happened. You're still here. You can breathe, read, write, pray, forgive, and forget. Let's forget the bad and just remember the good. I bet every day, you can think of something that didn't happen to you, and that's a good thing. Isn't it? 

I'm grateful. How about you?