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Gratitude Post: Let's Have Each Other's Backs

 I started my day today with gratitude in my heart. It was a chilly 25 degrees when I took Sarah to school. I slipped out of my warm bed, pulled on a sweatshirt, and slipped on some shoes. I went from my warm house to the garage and turned on the heat in the car. As the garage door was closing, I was feeling grateful that I could park in a garage and not have to scrape windows or clean snow off of a car that was parked outdoors. I felt grateful that my children could go to school, they were healthy and not in quarantine. Emma sent me a text shortly after I returned home from dropping of Sarah and asked if I could bring her yoga pants to her at 8:55. On the way to the school, I was grateful that I was available to take them to her. That is a luxury that not all moms have. I'm grateful that I can teach her accountability and responsibility--lessons that she has learned well. I'm more grateful that I can teach her love, compassion, forgiveness, and that when you make a mistake you can ask for help and someone who loves you will have your back. 

I'm grateful for science and healthcare workers. I'm grateful for military families and government leaders. While none of the institutions, nor the people in them are perfect, there are many who make sacrifices and the hard decisions. I'm grateful for the ones who listen to their colleges, patients, and constituents; for the ones who listen to me and who have my back. 

I'm grateful for friends and neighbors. There are some who I know will have my back and show love to my kids. So many people have a place in my heart for the love and attention they have shown to my children. Their teachers who are working extra hard right now to provide meaningful learning experiences and reach out to them when they are doing their coursework at home either by choice or mandate have a special place in my heart. I'm grateful for the friends who let me borrow their things and their skills as well as the ones who bring us gluten free and nut free treats. To the neighbors who put up with too many cars and trailers and occasional loud engines, I cannot thank you enough!  I'm grateful for childhood friends and mentors, some of whom I may only connect with on social media or are a part of a cherished memory. The parents of my children's friends and PTA moms have become my friends. Business associates have places in my heart. This pandemic has taught me how much I need people in my life. I like to think I'm fine to hole up in my house and do my own thing, but that is lonely. 

While it isn't the same as face to face communication or hugs and handshakes, technology allows me to stay connected as never before. I am grateful for it. Zoom and Marco Polo have become almost daily friends. Out of state family can smile, dance, tell jokes, and share holiday decorations in their homes. We can play games and offer support. Good old fashioned phone calls and texts have been a lifeline to my in-laws during this time where we are unable to get together.  We can have church meetings and school classes online with friends we live next to, but are unable to have direct contact with. 

I'm grateful for my new church calling that allows me to renew old and gain new relationships. I get to work on a committee and share ideas and learn from each one of them. This morning I held a Zoom meeting with the Relief Society Activities Committee. I was able to throw out some ideas for a Christmas activity and we discussed other possibilities and they brought up concerns and ideas that I hadn't thought of. That is the beauty of working together with people who have your back. Earlier this week I received training from stake leaders. We watched a video together and gleaned inspiration from each other while sitting in our own eight different homes. 

I'm grateful to belong to a church that teaches us to look out for one another, to show love and respect, and to share what we have with others. I'm grateful to God for His constant patience with my shortcomings and for His bringing me together with people who will bless my life and help me to better bless the lives of others. He is the giver of all good things. He is always there for me even when I may not be seeking for Him as diligently as I could be. I am grateful for His life and for his sacrifice for me and for all His children. I am even grateful that He allows me to struggle and fall. I have learned that my personal struggles allow me to be more empathetic and able to provide better support to others. Without a doubt He has my back and I hope I can show Him that I have His.


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