1. For a week of rest from school. For the resources and opportunity to be able to get up and go away for a few days. I am thankful that I don't have ties that prevent that spontaneity.
2. For a cold that is finally going away. Good riddance!!!
3. For a warm home and being able to afford and actually HAVE heating!
4. For my family. For my Dad's wisdom and experience that I can go to him and ask his advice on things and he will conscientiously seek the best advice for me.
5. For the little time I got to spend with my Grandad this week. For being able to speak honestly to him about some of my feelings and concerns, if not all of them. Now I just pray he will listen to advice and ask for help. I also pray for him to get well (please do pray if you do).
6. For the happy reminder that I get afternoon playtime on Tuesday and Friday- so I won't be totally break-free, I'll have a slight break, as long as I let my kids out in time and don't let them hang around chatting to me and just usher them straight out into the playground!!
7. For my new (temporary) music room. Honestly, I cannot tell you the psychological effect of having space. Having places to put things, having spaces to send the children out into, having lovely display board where I can put up interesting, colourful displays instead of having to use any tiny available wall space in my old room, using gaffer tape because nothing would stay up on the walls! I love the new space and so do the kids! Now let's pray that something happens that my Headteacher decides to let me keep it!
8. For the joy of post! One great thing about having penpals (and birthdays) is the mail you come home to! Three items for me today!
9. For the joy and beauty I gain from playing my flute. I love the people I play music with them. I was talking to my Grandad the other day and was talking about my dear friend Ellie (flute) who is sending me a parcel of her old vintage shirts and who I was going to stay with when she moves and how I miss her. He asked how old she was and was rather surprised when I said, 70! But music transcends all the differences in age and you find dear, dear friendship with all ages. Playing music together, unites people and builds wonderful friendships. The Mendohlssohn we are playing includes a beautiful nocturne (the part in Midsummer night's dream where the lovers sleep) and it is so beautiful, I could cry with the joy and delight in my heart as I sit amongst my fellow musicians, listen, appreciate, play and recline in the lyrical lines of it. (listen from 3 minutes for the flutes. But the horn solo at the beginning is lovely...)
10. As I walked to school today, despite being a little late for my train, I was drawn to walk through the park, beside the lake, as opposed to the path I usually take that goes round the edge of the park (slightly quicker) and it struck me, taking these small pleasures can set your mood and feelings for the day. Just being up the hill, bathed in sunshine- I raised my hands as if to reach towards it, to let the sunlight onto my skin. The sound of ducks, clamouring, coots and moorhens ticking and the constant splash of the fountain all made for a soothing sound-track. There is a certain part that the path takes, which is covered with a canopy of high, overhanging trees. These were covered with small, serene white blossom-made me feel like I was in the forest with a benevolent Titiana or at a wedding. My heart lifted with the thought that Spring is nearly here and all the beauty it holds for us! I never fail to be awestruck by HOW wonderful new life in the Spring is. Taking that small detour didn't make me miss my train but it did raise my spirits and filled me with a joyful serenity for the day. It certainly held throughout the day- year 3 recorder lessons enjoyed by both teacher and pupils, engaged and enthusiastic and really learning well. God sends the sun on all- we all enjoy it, and the beauty of creation is given to everyone and I am grateful for the lifted spirits it gave me and the children. One child came up to me and beamed and said, "Isn't it a LOVELY day, Miss!" to which I agreed most readily.
What are you thankful for today?