My friend Sarah gave me this journal a while back. The idea is to write down things that are happening so you can go back and see what your life was like in any particular season.

I pulled the journal out today to write a new page, and realized the last time I wrote in it was almost exactly a year ago. Without looking at last year’s page (other than the date), I decided to make a new list today and then to see how the two lists compare. I was amazed (but also not) to see how similar today’s list is to my list from a year ago this time. Overall, not much has changed. See what you think.

It’s a little unbelievable to me that we have had to deal with Covid in our family twice. Back in October, Bauer and I had it, and though everyone else tested negative, I just assumed we had all gotten it during that time of quarantining together. The kids’ school recently had a small outbreak that affected a teacher and several students and their families. The school decided to move to all-virtual for a week and a half to help stop the spread, but it seemed Cash may have picked it up at school before the shutdown. Regardless of where/how Cash got it, he tested positive last week after having cold symptoms and fatigue for several days, followed by loss of taste/smell. TJ and the girls all tested negative and have continued to show no symptoms. Cash was able to return to school yesterday, but the girls have to be out of school through the middle of next week to allow the additional ten days of quarantine to be sure they don’t develop symptoms. It’s hard for Sailor to understand that Cash, the one with the positive test, got to return to school before she and Story, who were both negative, will be able to.

But, to keep it positive, I did get new sunglasses - two pairs!

And we got new river rocks! (TJ and the boys worked hard for several days recently to shovel and wheelbarrow the old rocks out and then to shovel and wheelbarrow the new rocks in.)

And we have plenty of sparkling water to choose from!

There is always so much to be thankful for, in spite of any setbacks and in spite of the wind. Yes, I mean the literal wind outside, which drives me nuts if I don’t purpose to not let it.

I don’t get Tuesday/Thursday “office hours” to myself since the girls are home all this week and half of next, but I did get takeout from Tandem last Friday. Several friends had texted me that same morning after hearing our Covid news to ask if I needed anything, and I sent them a Tandem photo with the caption, I just got what I needed. But I do have very kind and caring friends.

Are you tired of seeing my same-old omelet? I am not tired of eating it, so that is a thankful thing I have every day except the Tandem days.

And books! I didn’t put books or reading on my list, but for NOW AND FOREVER, these are always the days of books and words and quotes. Thank you Jesus for Anne Lamott, Gretchen Rubin, Alexander McCall Smith, and all the other writers whose commitment to showing up at the writing desk keeps me sane. You make going through quarantine, and plain old life, bearable and amazing.