We are supposed to be in Banff tonight. Covid cautions prevented that from happening and we canceled our bucket list train trip last minute, but we decided to go ahead and take one of the weeks and cross off another bucket list bullet point to go road tripping to Arizona via Fort Worth last week. It is something I love about Sam – he is a spontaneous traveler and we just drive by the seat of our pants sometimes…

We wanted to surprise a grandson and showed up at his basketball game last Saturday before heading to San Antonio and the South Texas border for a scenic drive through Big Bend and on to Arizona. After the win and lunch, all of a sudden, Sam thought we should ask if the two oldest grandchildren could accompany us on the trip, and within an hour, we changed all our plans and added two travelers, changed our route, and off we went.

Odessa to Van Horn to El Paso to Tucson to Phoenix to Scottsdale to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon to Albuquerque to Santa Fe to Angel Fire to Tucumcari to Amarillo to Wichita Falls, and back to Fort Worth and then home to Kansas City.

Six days, almost 4000 miles, lots of laughter, things we have never seen before, and more gratitude than I can possibly name one by one.

I am more than grateful for this past week and the experiences that filled the days.

I am more than grateful for safety and health as we traveled.

I am more than grateful for time spent with two of the best kids in the history of the world. They never once minded getting up before the sunrise, were meticulous about packing their bags and being ready to go, helped load and unload every single time, kept the vehicle clean, always said “thank you,” and never complained about anything at all. It was a joy to hear them pray and experience seeing mountains for the very first time.

I am more than grateful for a driver who made us laugh and stopped every time we needed a picture. Sam was so patient and provided much entertainment in the form of his “character voices.”

I am more than grateful for an alternate plan for a Canadian disappointment. We will take that trip one of these days.

I am more than grateful for the awe beauty and vast difference in landscapes.

I am more than grateful for kids who never minded our insistence on masking and washing hands; I am more than grateful for a good supply so we never ran out.

I am more than grateful for a 16+ hour drive yesterday so we could wake up this morning in our own bed.

And I am more than grateful for a sister who took care of Banana and Split so we didn’t have to worry about our kids at home.

It was a great vacation with forever memories…

Several years ago, I took part in Bingo therapy when my mom passed away and I needed therapy to fill the void and soothe the grief. I volunteered at an Assisted Living facility every Tuesday night and made many friends and adopted moms. That hour and a half never disappointed.

These days, thanks to my wonderful dad who asked me to do this, I play the piano for an hour after work on Thursday evenings at his apartment complex. Almost no exceptions, I leave work exhausted, and no exceptions, I leave Dad’s place completely filled and renewed.

I am no concert pianist or cocktail bar virtuoso. I am a church pianist with no sheet music. I play what comes to mind, and sometimes it is a jumbled mess of pieces of hymns mixed with fluff music that just flows with my emotions. If I am happy, it sounds happy. If I am feeling melancholy, that is what they get. If I am thinking about Mom, it is some of her favorites or what was sung at her memorial service. If I am reminiscing about growing up in the Friends Church, it is Faith is the Victory and What a Friend We Have in Jesus mixed with He Hideth My Soul and How Firm a Foundation. There is a small group of adopted moms who seem to like the hymns and even quietly sing along. There are a few Catholics who wish I knew some Catholic standards. There is a man who sure wishes I knew more 60’s rock. I sometimes ask for requests, but more often than not, I have to say, “Rats, I don’t know that one.”

I am so grateful my Dad wanted me to come and play when Marilyn the cruise ship musician had to move to a new facility and the lobby had gone quiet.

I am grateful Dad comes to listen to my music and he brings friends. They have become my friends, too.

I am grateful that the instrument in the lobby is my childhood piano. God knew that 40 years later, it would be needed and would be played by the same fingers that spent so many hours of practice on it.

I am grateful that when I need therapy, I have this hour of time each week to unload my thoughts and my stress through my fingers.

I am grateful God gave me the gift of playing by ear, grateful that my brain stores hymns on its hard drive, and grateful that I have not lost all the training Mom and Dad paid for those 14+ years.

And I am grateful for piano tuners.

It has been awhile. I know. I beat myself up for it regularly.

There is so much to do, there is so much to be grateful for, what is more pressing, I need to make time, I can’t seem to find enough time, I am mentally exhausted…

So, this morning, as I opened my drawer and pulled out a pair of socks, I thought, “I am so grateful for new socks.” These aren’t magical and spectacular. They are Costco. But a new package of socks is an emotional boost to begin my day.

I am grateful we might have snow this weekend. It is January. Let there be snow.

I am grateful for my Michelle desk calendar that has a very simple message for today: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything: tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. – Philippians 4:6

I am grateful for new cards and new stamps.

I am grateful for time spent with my sister on my birthday. She is simply the best there is.

I am grateful for new placemats, a new ultra soft jacket, roses at work AND at home, tickets to events, several cards, and although I didn’t have my red velvet cake, I did have cookies and cupcakes, so it was a nice day to celebrate.

I am grateful for a husband with a huge heart.

I am grateful for our small group and C.S. Lewis who makes me think about things other than clinical development and biologic manufacturing and market insights today.

I am grateful for friends who come visit.

I am grateful we have remained covid-free so far, which makes me grateful for masks and sanitizer and brains to do the right thing and the wits to protect others.

I am grateful I will see my Dad and our piano friends tonight.

And I am still grateful for a package of new socks.