Category: Thankful Thursdays

Each week I take note of big and little things I’m thankful for. Gratitude takes practice and this is my practicing place.

Thankful Thursday #20

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful ThursdaysLeave a comment

This week I’m thankful for…

  • new shoes that feel comfortable from the first wear
  • my little one who brought his hamster, Mr. Beans, to school on his special sharing day.  The kids squealed and cheered when the boy took Mr. Beans out of his box.  Mr. Beans then spent the next hour scared stiff.  Poor Mr. Beans will never be the same!
  • another little one who brought his pet, Lilly the Tortoise, to share.  Lilly has impeccable timing and pooped just as the boy was lifting her out of her box.  The class started shrieking in horror as the poop plopped into the box.  Poor first graders will never be the same.  I on the other hand, had to stifle my giggles.  Potty humor slays me.
  • the rare bike ride where my legs feel like they could go forever
  • talking to my brothers on the phone and dreaming about a big bike adventure together.  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, except when I post pictures on my blog.  Brothers, consider yourselves warned.
  • these magical words from the pharmacist “I’ve got that on hand.  Your prescription will be ready in a few minutes.”  My sinuses thank you, kind sir.
  • the little boy in my class who wore his “I’m a Big Brother” sticker all weekend and just had to wear it to school Monday
  • the sound of my neighborhood in spring.  Children play outside, wind chimes ting-a-ting-ting on gust of barbecue scented wind.  Spring is here and not a moment too soon.
  • the fact that it’s week 20 and I still have so much to be grateful for.  I hope the same is true for you.

Thankful Thursday #19

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful Thursdays1 Comment

This week I’m thankful for…

  • sunshine, sunshine, sunshine!
  • dinner with friends
  • my friend, who asked me to teach her how to ride a bike
  • days when hair and makeup aren’t even on the radar because all I’m going to do is ride my bike, conquer the laundry, read, and (if I’m lucky) ride my bike some more
  • good books
  • the smell of clean laundry
  • my little one who blushes and grins when I call him “sweet boy”
  • Heavy Metal Mondays in spin class

Thankful Thursday #18

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful Thursdays2 Comments

This week I’m thankful for…

  • the NCAA basketball tournament because I love watching the underdog win
  • my friends who made me lemon blueberry cake just because I requested it
  • my teacher friend who is retiring and bequeathing all of her writing resource books to younger teachers
  • the patch of blue sky that peeked out Saturday reminding me that winter won’t last forever
  • riding on the river trail when the river is so high that the water laps at the trail, even flooding it in places
  • riding with newbie cyclists who are excited to ride ‘long distances’ like 15-16 miles
  • remembering when 6 miles was a long way to ride my bike
  • the fact that my class is too young for state testing.  Yes and amen.
  • waking up early and reading a good book before heading off to work

Thankful Thursday #17

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful ThursdaysLeave a comment

This week I’m thankful for…

  • the scent of rain on warm asphalt
  • the attitude of my little one who accidentally poked himself in the eye with a fork at lunch.  He was completely fine and when I asked him how it happened, he shrugged and replied “I aimed for the peas and missed.”  I’ll say.
  • meals with friends
  • the book of Esther
  • a fresh haircut
  • bike rides so challenging that I’m left stripped bare at the end, knowing I gave everything I had, and by some miracle, it was enough
  • hearing Dr. Maya Angelou speak.  It was a night I’ll treasure always.  And because I will never look at rainbows the same again.  And because you weren’t able to join me that night.  And because you deserve a little more poetry in your life, here she is.  I thought of giving you just a morsel to chew on, but who am I to be so selfish.  So click on the picture below and while it takes you to the site starts loading, get yourself a cup of tea, throw a blanket around your shoulders and get ready to enjoy this 42 minute master class with Maya Angelou.  Don’t tell me you don’t have that kind of time.  Make the time.  I assure you, her words will speak to the most joyful and the most tender places in your heart.

Thankful Thursday #16

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful Thursdays5 Comments

This week I’m thankful for…

  • bike rides with friends
  • my new little one who wrote this in his notebook “I’m thankful for my home.”  Makes me wonder if there is a place for Thankful Thursdays in my classroom.  Hmmm…
  • my little one who wrote this about her mom “She is pretty like white, shiny milk.  She is so beautiful, I can’t believe it.  It knocks me down how much I love her.”  Her mom recently had brain surgery.  I’m pretty sure those are the kinds of words that lend speed to recovery.
  • the parents of my little ones who took time at our parent teacher conferences to thank me and tell me how much their children love being a part of our class.  Those words sink down deep and warm my heart.
  • my little girl who told me in a moment of quiet exclaimed “I love math!  No, wait-I love reading!  No, wait-I love writing!”
  • outside recess
  • outside recess.  I know I mentioned it twice.  Trust me, this week I was doubly thankful for it.
  • my husband who offered to make me dinner after a particularly rough day
  • books that are so good, I can’t put them down.  If only I could force myself to stay awake a little longer at night to read them!
  • my little one who brought in $10 of her own money to donate to our change drive for the local rescue mission.  Her mother, touched her daughter’s generosity, matched it dollar for dollar.