Gratitude: Week of 09/26

This was a week that challenged me in different ways, mostly mental and emotional. Experiences with some rather selfish people; experiences with some generous people. In all, a good week because…well, I’m still alive and breathing, and relatively healthy. Let’s jump in…

1. Monarch butterflies dancing and dashing between the asters and goldenrods planted at the front of the house. Monarchs have a strength and endurance I deeply admire, a different type of beauty that is often taken for granted. They will be gone soon, such is the cycle of life.
2. Watching 11 find strength and voice; this week she told me she didn’t want to disappoint me, but that she does not want to be a warrior. I asked what she meant by that, “I don’t believe we should fight and hurt people.” We talked about the different types of warrior there are in our community: health warriors, advocate warriors, warriors for children’s rights, for women, warriors who are attorneys and teachers and civil servants, and we made a long list of how you can be a warrior without getting into fistfights. That she was standing firmly in her beliefs and making sound arguments…proud dad. Always.
3. Related to the above, 11 decided to write a letter to Governor Baker about mask policies and vaccinations for Covid19, how adults fail to do right with policies and endanger kids. We put that letter in the mail.
4. Meditation has been a frequent activity this week. Twice a day, 11 and I are meditating before we begin our day. I feel so much more centered, and the practice of mindfulness is good for both of us.

Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

So much more to share, but keeping it all brief. Have a fantastic week.