Sunday Gratitude – 22.II.2026

(Tuesday again, yes, because Tuesdays usually are one of the least crazy days of the week!)

I am grateful that I have a good guy who works on my car, that he’s not terribly far and that I’ve been pretty happy with his work. He even fixed the rear license plate issue – I tried removing a plastic license plate frame that was mostly broken off anyway and ended up with the license plate hanging by one screw because the head of the other just broke off. The license plate had been hanging by one screw since November, and while it was in no danger of falling off, I had no less than ten random strangers let me know that there was an issue – on the road, in parking lots, in the yard of one of my son’s friends, in my own driveway… Once I let them know that the screw head was broken, they seemed to be satisfied I was aware of the issue and would get it fixed when conditions were a bit better. Yes, even a cop mentioned it. And as annoying as it kind of got to have to have a 5-second spiel saying, yes, I’m aware, but the problem is more than simply a missing screw, I’m also kind of grateful to live in a place where people do this kind of thing. (I am also grateful I will not be having this conversation again anytime soon!)

I’m grateful for a friend who called to reach out with a couple of questions, which turned into a longer conversation, and it kind of ended up being a reconnection moment of sorts. I don’t know exactly what the reason is’ but of late I’ve felt a tremendous amount of frustration with certain things (and people) connected with church. Some of this, certainly, stems from thoughts going through my own head, many of which have intensified in the past few months. On the other hand, I’m terrible at understanding how to signal to others “enough”, and kind of let people roll over me until I’m really bothered and upset.

I am grateful for all the beautiful weather! Even though the week ended up grey and cold, the first days were gorgeous. Thursday ended up being something ridiculous like 65F. I rode 27 miles on the bike, and the one day, my three youngest and I made it to the closest park by bike after everybody was home from school. I was well aware that this is the infamous “false spring”, but it was good while it lasted.

I am thankful that I made it for Forgiveness Vespers. I have missed it the last couple of years. I know it’s not a great thing to miss, but it was a choice that was made. It still was kind of strangely done, but it was a good thing nonetheless, and even though “internet Orthodoxy” is a weird beast in itself, in the spirit of the day, I ask you all – even online – to please forgive me my faults and failings, of which there are many.

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