Carry on (581-789)

1. I'm thankful that my dad grew up in Bolivia. 
2. Thankful for the trips he took me on. 
3. For the bit of knowledge that I have about this vast world 
4. DQ ice cream cakes. 
5. My experiences in different countries. 
6. Modern medicine. 
7. SJ breathing by my side. 
8. Nose hill. 
9. Big comfy rocks. 
10. Gentle wind. 
11. Crepes
12. Bottle depots. 
13. To be able to choose if I want to go to church or not, without having that choice motivated by guilt. 
14. Healthy pizza with zucchini on it. 
15. I am thankful for my mom. 
16. Her work ethic. 
17. Her moral standards. 
18. Her generosity. 
19. Her love for me, even when she doesn't like all my choices. 
20. The summers we spent on Salt Spring Island so she could work. 
21. Her eccentric ways. 
22. Her enjoyment of pickleball. 
23. The peaceful house in which I grew up
24. I'm thankful that it does get above 20 degrees in Alberta. 
25. For the buds on the trees growing into leaves. 
26. Pizza for every meal of the day.  
27. Sleeping in, but still getting to work on time. 
28. Queer film festival to remind me that I am not alone. 
29. Grey's Anatomy. That it shows sexual orientation as just a part of life. 
30. Interesting conversations that I can eavesdrop on. 
31. The comfort SJ gives me in the middle of the night 
32. Funny interactions with students. 
33. The students enjoyment of the field trip. 
34. That my students drew rainbows today. 
35. Happy students. 
36. That my students drew my dad with green hair. 
37. My job
38. Each of my students. 
39. A student who is no longer at the school, but who I saw today. 
40. For the goodness I found in the LDS church. 
41. For a belief that God is our heavenly and perfectly loving parent. 
42. For the ability to step away from the church.
43. For formal separation. 
44. For friends who are still my friends 
45. For 128 stairs in the new library. 
46. Thankful for the lilac festival. 
47. I am thankful I could attend G's piano recital. 
48. Music
49. Free ice cream. 
50. The film "Tell it to the Bees"
51. That I was able to watch a second film for free. 
52. The stories of people who have lived before me. 
53. That I feel so safe with SJ and can fall asleep on her lap. 
54. That I could invite my grandparents to our wedding. 
55. Blood donation 
56. I am thankful that gay people are people too. Just like anyone else. 
57. I am thankful for kind strangers. 
58. That I planned my lessons ahead for work. 
59. Languages. All of them. 
60. Humanity. All our basic connections that keep us together. 
61. Rain that reduces wild fires. 
62. That I got to sleep in today. 
63. That I changed my windshield wipers
64. Freedom to believe differently. 
65. The ability to have friends who are different than me. 
66. First responders who look after those in need. 
67. Decisions made about our wedding. 
68. Plans we have for food. 
69. Clouds and blue skies. 
70. I am thankful for the trust I have in Sandra. 
71. I am thankful that she made me salad. 
72. For food that doesn't make me feel worse.
73. I am thankful for creative ways that the Internet gives us to express love. 
74. I am thankful SJ had breakfast with me today. 
75. And she made my lunch. 
76. She made the bed. 
77. She packed me cookies. 
78. She sent me messages.  
79. She's waiting for me at home. 
80. She loves me unconditionally. 
81. She values our relationship. 
82. She values me. 
83. My thankful for how she makes me feel. 
84. For cool weather. 
85. For the way G taught me to observe. 
86. For scientific ways of viewing the world. 
87. That I have no desire to drink alcohol. 
88. That I avoided drugs when growing up. 
89. I'm thankful for experts in teaching English. 
90. I'm thankful for extra training.
91. I'm thankful for extra hours at work.
92. I am thankful for the assessments I got marked. 
93. I am thankful for my experiences in a courthouse as a youth worker. 
94. I am thankful for my experiences in the courthouse with my students. 
95. I'm thankful for learningchocolate. 
96. Esl-lab
97. The many online resources. 
98. I'm thankful for my increased motivation to do my job well. 
99. I am grateful to be able to empower people through language. 
100. I'm thankful for parents who love their children. 
101. And children who love their parents. 
102. Chocolate. 
103. Snacks at trainings. 
104. A variety of weather. 
105. Oreos in my sister's cupboard. 
106. The prairies of Alberta. 
107. Pride rainbows. 
108. Awkward conversations with coworkers about gender markers. 
109. Conversations with students about gender. 
110. Material I have planned for tomorrow.
111. Presenters who can speak with our students. 
112. Ideas that inspire. 
113. Flowers that are purple and blue. 
114. My sister's garden
115. Raspberry plants
116. Watermelon
117. That I can enjoy "almost sunshine"
118. There is a bathroom in my house and I am almost at my house. 
119. The sound of water
120. Fresh air
121. My daily walk to and from the bus
122. That water always manages to make a path 
123. The way SJ looks at me. 
124. That she is feeling better. 
125. Opportunities to babysit 
126. I'm thankful for crossword puzzles. 
127. That I am getting better at crosswords. 
128. SJ's visa was extended!!!
129. New words my students learn. 
130. Safe travels of 1000 km in two days. 
131. Ice cream on sale!
132. SJ's understanding of my not wanting to spend much money. 
133. Seeing my coworker today who normally doesn't work mornings. 
134. That I am generally not working evenings anymore. 
135. Meeting SJ's cousin. 
136. Connecting with children. 
137. That I slept well last night, even though it was short. 
138. That my blood work looks good. 
139. Afternoon naps. 
140. OPD
141. No pressure about SJ having to leave the country. 
142. Friends who are willing to help. 
143. Friends who are willing to come visit. 
144. Another teacher on the bus, so I can figure I am not late. 
145. Bottle refunds. 
146. Hands, so I can hold SJ's hands. 
147. The coat I got for free. 
148. Used goods that are sold for cheap. 
149. Long car trips when I can talk with SJ for a long time. 
150. Bikes. 
151. People who care about their children. 
152. My legs that can walk. 
153. Breakfast
154. Chocolate chips for breakfast 
155. Free food at meetings. 
156. Free meetings to teach me. 
157. Thankful for laughter. 
158. Thankful when my students laugh. 
159. I am thankful for SJ, that she is home every night. 
160. I am thankful that she holds me when I am anxious,
161. And when I feel depressed. 
162. I am thankful everything for our wedding is ordered. 
163. Thankful that we are having a small wedding. 
164. Thankful for my family members who are willing to come, even if they will feel uncomfortable. 
165. I'm thankful for those who are excited about our wedding. 
166. I am thankful that K will bring her kids. 
167. To live in a multicultural city. 
168. To never worry if I will have good to eat. 
169. For Just Right. 
170. For salad SJ made me. 
171. For technology to connect with friends. 
172. For every moment I spend with SJ
173. For our moments of laughter. 
174. Downtown 
175. Everyone I can invite to our wedding 
176. Everyone I want to invite to our wedding, even if I can't invite them. 
177. A small wedding, even if that means we cannot many people. 
178. BBQ 
179. Meeting new people. 
180. Naps on SJ's lap. 
181. That we are all humans. 
182. People who carry on in life's journey, even though the journey is hard. 
183. People who have supported me in life. 
184. My camp director who was always very supportive. 
185. The times he told me that he likes the way I think. 
186. His way of encouraging me and others. 
187. Dads who spend time with their children. 
188. SJ's openness and willingness to share about life with others. 
189. That she will soon be my wife. 
190. The married lesbian couple we met last night, suggesting marriage is possible for us too. 
191. Fireflies. 
192. Tomato plants. 
193. The computer lab at work for days when I am feeling less creative. 
194. Running shoes. 
195. Semi formal shoes that I can wear to work. 
196. The happy times we will have today. 
197. The chance to go to an accepting church. 
198. The stories in the Bible which motivate others to do good. 
199. Other religious texts when they are used for good. 
200. Freedom to believe, or not believe. 
201. Churches which allow people to be flexible in their beliefs. 
202. Churches which encourage questioning. 
203. For those brave enough to start the pride movement and pride parades. 
204. Shoelaces. 
205. People who accept that different families are different and different is beautiful. 
206. Families who accept their gay children. 
207. Friends who accept their gay friends. 
208. I'm thankful that everybody is different. 
209. I'm thankful for those who believe that God's promises are for all. 

Before it passes (352-580)

When I was in England I became very grateful for the sun, because the sun was so rare.  It has been rainy, and as I went hiking I was expecting cold weather, my only hope was that it wouldn't rain.  I prepared with lots of warm clothes. I was completely surprised when it was warm and sunny.  The sun made me so happy.  Today is my dad's birthday.  I was thinking about all the reason I am thankful for him.  I am grateful for my dad and all the good he brought into m life.  As I was reflecting with gratitude, I was reminded of the importance of being thankful now, not waiting until the good is gone.  

1. I am grateful SJ understands me. 
2. I am grateful she appreciates my art work. 
3. I am thankful she appreciates my stories. 
4. I am grateful she likes talking to me.
5. I am grateful she wants to know me and understand me better. 
6. I am grateful that she understands that I am not a night person.
7. I am thankful for sunshine. 
8. I am thankful that I didn't burn down my house today. 
9. I am thankful we were able to video chat with SJ's parents. 
10. I am grateful for my friend B and that I was able to message with her today. 
11. I am thankful for cozy PJs. 
12. I am SJ and I can babysit together. 
13. I am thankful when my students laugh at my jokes. 
14. I am thankful when I can be myself.
15. I am thankful for my other friend B, and camels. 
16. I am thankful that the days are getting warmer. 
17. I am thankful that the days are getting longer. 
18. I am thankful for pretty places to walk
19. I am thankful Day are getting longer
20. And warmer. 
21. I am thankful for good chat with my friend S. 
22. I am thankful for friends who can give advice about immigration. 
23. I am thankful for every moment I get to spend with SJ. 
24. I am thankful that I got to celebrate St. Patricia's day with my students. 
25. I am thankful for yummy cake. 
26. I am thankful that I know how to bake. 
27. I am thankful for my bed. 
28. I am thankful to be able to walk. 
29. I am thankful for the quick bus ride to work. 
30. I am grateful that my upstairs neighbours are generally quite. 
31. I am thankful for big windows in my house. 
32. I am thankful we had friends over to our new place. 
33. I am thankful that the dog who lives upstairs is gentle. 
34. I am thankful for the location of my house. 
35. I am grateful that we found a nice route to walk. 
36. I am thankful I will get to work on time.  
37. I am thankful when my students have fun in Class. 
38. I am grateful that work is done. 
39. I am thankful when teachers ask me to sub. 
40. I am thankful for Timbits. 
41. I am thankful for dreams. 
42. I am thankful our house feels like a home. 
43. I am thankful for blankets and heaters. 
44. I am thankful that our upstairs neighbours don't smoke in the house. 
45. I am thankful they have cars so we can guess if they are home or not. 
46. I am thankful for the many cultures in my city. 
47. I am thankful I was able to talk openly with my friend. 
48. I am thankful for simple wedding plans. 
49. I am thankful SJ will greet me at home. 
50. I am thankful that she is so understanding. 
51. I am thankful that the ice is melting. 
52. I am thankful for games I played that I can now use in my class. 
53. I am thankful for my new house coat. 
54. I am thankful for my new purple sweater. 
55. I am grateful that I was able to finish my artwork. 
56. I am grateful for our pots and pans. 
57. I am grateful for SJ's Smile and laughter. 
58. I am grateful for jokes. 
59. I am thankful for change, repentance and second chances. 
60. I am really grateful for my job. 
61. I am thankful that no one got injured today. 
62. I am grateful that SJ likes it when I sing. 
63. I'm thankful that I find some comfort in prayer. 
64. Thankful for another opportunity to sub. 
65. Thankful for students who give positive feedback. 
66. Thankful for a seat on the bus. 
67. Thankful I can see my doctor for free!
68. I am thankful that o feel better today than yesterday. 
69. I am thankful for pretty places. 
70. I am thankful for food. 
71. I am thankful for my students researching about the upcoming election. 
72. I am thankful for each of my teeth. 
73. I am thankful for love which can be found in unusual places. 
74. I am thankful for marriage commissioners. 
75. I am thankful for snacks from my students. 
76. I am thankful that I got free maps. 
77. I am thankful that I am getting married!
78. I am thankful to love someone. 
79. I am thankful for buses. 
80. I am thankful for government money given to my job. 
81. I am thankful I got paid. 
82. I am thankful for friends. 
83. I am thankful for people who are excited about my wedding. 
84. I am thankful that I am getting married to the girl I love. 
85. I am thankful for equality laws in Canada. 
86. I am thankful friendly marriage commissioners. 
87. I am thankful for the one who will marry us. 
88. I am thankful for her beautiful location. 
89. I am thankful for her open and accepting nature. 
90. Today 
91. That we have bicycles to ride
92. For SJ to ride bicycles with me
93. I am thankful that I have muscles to be sore
94. Alberta
95. National Parks
96. I am getting married in five weeks
97. Cascade ponds
98. My adventurous girl
99. Cows Ice cream
100. Sunscreen 
101. Lake Louise 
102. Snow in May
103. Gorp and Dates
104. Hiking 
105. Blue Skies
106. Mountain Views
107. Trails and Trail Guides
108. Refundable Bottles
109. Elk 
110. Ground Squirrels and Gophers
111. Rainy Days that make me appreciate the sunshine 
112. Rainbows
113. Green Grass
114. To teach to beginners
115. Water, the sort that flows
116. Frozen Lakes
117. Canadian Traffic Laws
118. Confidence when I drive 
119. Best Copilot ever 
120. Snacks
121. Double chocolate cookies
122. Apple and strawberry Pie
123. Days off in the middle of the week
124. I am thankful for churches
125. Friendly people who help us feel welcome
126. Free Food
127. Free Ice cream sandwiches 
128. That the bike path between Banff and Canmore is pretty flat
129. Air conditioner in cars
130. Heating in cars 
131. That the census will be done soon
132. I am thankful for my professor who keeps in contact with me
133. For friends that I've known for a long time
134. Thrift stores 
135. Every time I see a posted speed limit sign
136. Cheerios
137. For my friend D who keeps fighting even the life is hard
138. For inspirational quotes
139. Riley Armstrong 
140. Tegan and Sara 
141. Feist 
142. SJ has a place she loves to volunteer
143. That SJ volunteers with me
144. Advice from coworkers 
145. Lip Balm
146. Friendly drivers who wait for me to run for the bus. 
147. Banana muffins in the freezer. 
148. A seat in the bus. 
149. I can run. 
150. Friday is wear jeans to work day. 
151. Leaves on the trees
152. Tulips blooming. 
153. It feels like spring. 
154. The relative safety I experience here. 
155. Rain. Particularly forest fire preventing rain. 
156. Almost friendly encounter with my neighbour. 
157. Bike helmets. 
158. The friendly next door neighbours (who might be a lesbian couple)
159. Clean streets. 
160. Accepting churches where I can hold SJ's hand. 
161. Chocolate for free at work. 
162. Candy at work. 
163. Excited students. 
164. My desk at work. 
165. Friendly coworkers. 
166. My laptop. 
167. Computer lab times. 
168. Canada post. 
169. The friends of my friends who support them. 
170. Rainbows painted places. 
171. Train announcements. 
172. My blouse for my wedding. It came all the way from Mexico. 
173. We have wedding shoes
174. We have wedding pants
175. We have plates and napkins for our wedding. 
176. I am thankful for white chocolate chips that make SJ happy. 
177. I am thankful for toothpaste and toothbrushes. 
178. I'm thankful for gratitude. 
179. For the strength to open my eyes today,
180. The ability to see goodness. 
181. Mayday trees. 
182. Games like Imaginiff. 
183. Bubble tea. 
184. Omelettes. 
185. My friend J. Her willingness to be open with us. 
186. Toilets. 
187. Public washrooms. 
188. Indoor plumbing. 
189. That I can journal a bit in Spanish. 
190. Opportunities to practice Spanish. 
191. I am thankful for choices. I can choose to bus or drive. 
192. I'm thankful for lesbians, that I am not alone in the world. 
193. For the example of those who have gone before me. 
194. Long hours of daylight
195. Every hug and cuddle from SJ. 
196. Those who have fought for freedoms, human rights and permission to love whom we love. 
197. Cameras. The ability to take and print photos. 
198. Memories. 
199. Phone cameras. 
200. I am thankful that I can change. 
201. Thankful for the relationship that SJ has with her mom. 
202. And my mom. 
203. And my daddy. 
204. Thankful for the moments near the end of his life when he was happy. 
205. For the hikes we went on together. 
206. For his gentle nature. 
207. For his faith which kept him going. 
208. For his smile. 
209. For his hugs and cuddles. 
210. I am thankful for each of the many stories that he read me before I slept. 
211. I'm thankful for the times he tickled my toes to wake me up. 
212. For his beard. 
213. I am thankful to those who complimented his soccer skills and called him a super goal tender. 
214. I'm thankful for his knowledge of Spanish. 
215. For the language he taught me. 
216. The mountains we summited together. 
217. For his characteristic white hair. 
218. For his great calm voice. 
219. His willingness to try cooking. 
220. Junk food on camping trips. 
221. The stories my dad told me about his brother. 
222. Smitty's
223. Edson. 
224. Jasper. 
225. Cavity mountain. 
226. Rain, especially when it means no forest fires. 
227. I'm grateful for second chances. 
228. I'm grateful for mercy and grace, that we don't need to be perfect our first try at something. 
229. I am grateful for my aunt J. 

I will yet be thankful! (235-351)

1. I am thankful it wasn't so cold yesterday. 
2. I am thankful for the university. 
3. I am thankful for couches at the university. 
4. I am thankful for reading week. 
5. I am thankful for the time I was able to study creative writing at the university. 
6. I am thankful for stairs and stories. 
7. I am thankful for my philosophy classes at the university. 
8. I am thankful for my professor and his teaching style. 
9. I am thankful fir the group work I did with my students, and that they were all engaged. 
10. I am thankful for family day. 
11. I am thankful that my sisters' and some of their children met us at the new library. 
12. I am grateful that they had fun. 
13. I am thankful for the many activities at the library. 
14. I am thankful to be released from my calling. 
15. I am thankful for new adventures. 
16. I am thankful to have Sundays as a day of rest. 
17. I am thankful for card games. 
18. I am thankful for mahjong. 
19. I am thankful for the game whoonu. 
20. I am thankful that I could teach SJ a new skill. 
21. I am thankful that she can come volunteer with me. 
22. I am thankful for my students who fed me Syrian food. 
23. I am thankful my other student invited me over for hotpot. 
24. I am thankful that SJ could come and try hotpot for the first time. 
25. I am thankful she was able to greater appreciate Chinese culture. 
26. I am thankful hotpot is so tasty. 
27. I am thankful I saw my previous student M, when we had hotpot. 
28. I am thankful I was able to drive slowly and safely in the snow. 
29. I am thankful for restful days. 
30. I am thankful for my niece M, and that we could celebrate her first birthday together. 
31. I am thankful that my mom met SJ and the meeting went well. 
32. I am thankful we were able to have an open conversation as a family. 
33. I am thankful for the support I receive as I come out to people. Particularly from those with strong religious convictions who are still able to be happy for me. 
34. I am happy and grateful that I do not journey alone. 
35. I am thankful we have keys to our new place!
36. I am grateful that bishop is willing to deal with that which I don't want to deal with. 
37. I am thankful for lazy days off. 
38. I am thankful for banana chocolate chip muffins.
39. I am thankful for other muffins, too. 
40. I am thankful for when SJ and I think alike. 
41. I am thankful we can plan our life, and make choices together. 
42. I am thankful for accepting friends. 
43. I am thankful for sleep. 
44. I am thankful that I feel safe in SJ's arms. 
45. I am thankful to not have a calling anymore. 
46. I am thankful for the discounted blueberries we bought. 
47. I am thankful for dry roads to Airdrie. 
48. I am thankful for Kensington. 
49. I am thankful for winter farmers' markets. 
50. I am thankful for free samples. 
51. I am thankful when friends take time to reach out to me. 
52. I am thankful for the river, which is mostly frozen, but I can still see it flow. 
53. I am thankful for the presence of Chinese culture in this city. 
54. I am grateful we can get all the ingredients we needed at super store. 
55. I am thankful that my friend J is okay. 
56. I am grateful for my amazing volunteer, and that she is willing to do anything for me. 
57. I am thankful that snow is beautiful. 
58. I am thankful I had lots to teach my students today. 
59. I am thankful for the nap I had this afternoon. 
60. I am thankful SJ is taking care of me and that she made me food. 
61. I am thankful for unlabelled medicine that helped me feel a bit better and sleep. 
62. I am thankful for the support and understanding of SJ's cousins. 
63. I am thankful for little kids who like me. 
64. I am thankful that SJ is washing the dishes. 
65. I am thankful that my sisters live close to me. 
66. I am thankful that I can get rid of books. 
67. I am thankful that it was sunny this afternoon. 
68. I am thankful for free little libraries. 
69. I am thankful that I own a lot of blankets. 
70. I am thankful for avocados. 
71. I am thankful I can wear runners to work. 
72. I am thankful that change is possible. 
73. I am glad that I am not the same person I was ten years ago. 
74. I am thankful my friend G helped us move. 
75. I am thankful that I don't own too much stuff. 
76. I am thankful that moving is finished. 
77. I am grateful for cheap thrift stores. 
78. I am thankful for buses. 
79. I am thankful to have moved with SJ. 
80. I am thankful for her continuing support. 
81. I am thankful that SJ and I shop together. 
82. I am grateful we now have all we need. 
83. I am thankful for internet connection and wifi. 
84. I am thankful for the free couch from my sister. 
85. I am thankful that we have kitchen chairs.  
86. I am thankful that the dog upstairs is not noisy. 
87. I am thankful for the carpet cleaner that my sister lent us. 
88. I am thankful for my books. 
89. I am thankful for my bookshelf. 
90. I am thankful for the dresser. 
91. I am thankful for the free table we found frozen in the snow. 
92. I am thankful for the LGBT friendly churches... even if I haven't been to one yet. 
93. I am thankful to have a washing machine. 
94. I am thankful for central heating. 
95. I am thankful for space heaters. 
96. I am thankful that we have a washing machine and dryer. 
97. I am thankful we don't have pets. 
98. I am thankful to live in a safe country. 
99. I am thankful to feel safe in my daily activities. 
100. I am thankful for food!
101. I am thankful for 30% off produce. 
102. I am thankful to know I can look for joy in all circumstances. 
103. I am thankful for flexible friends. 
104. I am thankful my students were engaged in the work. 
105. I am thankful for new shoes. 
106. I am thankful for sunshine, even if it is minus 27. 
107. I am thankful to own a bed. 
108. I am thankful I could babysit my nieces and nephew. 
109. I am thankful my niece M trusts me and was easy to put to bed. 
110. I am thankful to get paid every month. 
111. I am thankful for SJ's understanding and compassion. 
112. I am thankful for instant noodles. 
113. I am thankful for motivational sayings. 
114. I am grateful that I have time and space to figure out my beliefs. 
115. I am thankful that I don't need to know everything. 
116. I am thankful for free little libraries. 
117. I am thankful that I can continue with this resolution to be grateful. 

1.