Day 218: Pain Empathy + Support

Today I learned...
...that people in pain can be kinder and more personable than the professionals helping people in pain.

Today I am thankful for...
...the opportunity to be there for my husband.

Day 217: Writing + Responses

Today I learned...

...that writing about Rick's pain is really helpful to me.

Today I am thankful for...

...the beautiful and loving responses I receive in regards to Rick and his chronic pain. 

Day 216: Coffee with Jenn + Momma-ness

Today I learned...

...that coffee with Jenn is good in any state, in any setting - whether it be Port Authority, NYC...coffee shops near and far...Starbucks...or at my own kitchen table. 

Today I am thankful for...

...my momma being so momma-y to everyone I love. :-)

Day 207: Family Norms + Baby Cuddles

Today I learned...

...that a family makes their own normal.

Today I am thankful for...

...my tiny baby niece who let me rock her cheek to cheek.

Day 196: Procrastination + Tumbler Love

Today I learned...

...that I am procrastinating taking the optional licensure exam because 1) it's optional 2) I'm afraid of failure and 3) I'm having too good a time this summer and don't want to study.

Today I am thankful for...

...my sweetheart Tumbler boy who sleeps buried in my lap so happily for hours and wakes up to lick me now and then. 

Day 193: Understanding + Chronic Pain

Today I learned...

...that the understanding of another person can start with a completely different person.

Today I am thankful for...

...a man named Ed who helped me help my husband with his chronic pain & fatigue saga.

Day 187: Cats + Home

Today I learned...

...that the cats were beyond happy to see us again, but survived without us.

Today I am thankful for...

...HOME. There's no place like home.

Day 186: Pool + Magic

Today I learned...

...that getting to a pool is not always as easy as it appears.

Today I am thankful for...

...all the magic that happened at the Cliff House on our last night in Maine. Too many instances to name!

Day 181: Navigator + Important Talk

Today I learned...

...that I am pretty good at being a navigator in the car. 

Today I am thankful for...

...an important talk with my hubby.

Day 179: Respect + Sneakers for Rick

Today I learned...

...that when you tell someone you can't do something, if that person respects you, she will not ask you to do it.

Today I am thankful for...

...Rick finding sneakers that don't hurt his feet (chronic pain) after weeks of searching. 

Day 161: CD + Mom Love

Today I learned...
...that the love song CD Rick created for us to listen to on our drive to Maine is pretty darn cute.

Today I am thankful for...
...a mom who volunteers to visit my house regularly to take care of my kitties when we go away. 19 days until vacation! I can't wait!

Day 159: Early to Bed + Hubby TLC

Today I learned...

...that an early Saturday night is a good idea sometimes. 

Today I am thankful for...

...a husband who takes care of me, cleans for me, and looks out for me.

Day 139: Surprises + Jewelry

Today I learned...

...that Rick is full of surprises.

Today I am thankful for...

...the beautiful graduation gift I received from Rick: a stunning necklace and matching earrings from Swarovski Crystal. 

Day 129: Grocery Shopping + TV Time

Today I learned...

...that grocery shopping on a Thursday night is much, much calmer than grocery shopping on a Saturday.

Today I am thankful for...

...my tv time with my kitties. Tumbler is purring on my lap and my guilty pleasure The Vampire Diaries is playing on the TV. :-)

Day 115: Thinking the Best + Time with Mom

Today I learned...
...that thinking the best of people doesn't always mean they will do the best things.

Today I am thankful for...
...the chance to be with my mom. We had dinner and saw my friend's production of AIDA. It was a great night.

Day 114: Truth + Abundance

Today I learned...
...that truth triumphs.

Today I am thankful for...
...so many things! A new niece to love! The promise of a vacation with Rick in July! No more assignments! Some relief for friends!

Day 112: Battles + Classmates

Today I learned...
...that the good guys don't always win.

Today I am thankful for...
...my wonderful and inspiring classmates- a beautiful group of people who make me smile.

Day 109: Bombers + Anniversary

Today I learned...
...that Boston appears to be safe again, after one bombing suspect was killed and the other caught.

Today I am thankful for...
...a lovely wedding anniversary with my husband of 5 years. Love is one of my favorite things to celebrate.

Day 95: Food + Care

Today I learned...
...that favorite foods improve the mood. Rick and I are both sick with bad colds, so we drove to Panera and Subway for my favorite dinner and his respectively. Then we ate at home together in efforts of self-care. :-)

Today I am thankful for...
...a husband who takes care of me, even when he's sick himself.

Day 91: Tumbler Antics + Letters

Today I learned...
...that Tumbler runs laps for hours (like a bunny - because he has to hop) when I'm not home. I found this out today when I was home all day and was able to observe him in his natural habitat. He must only do this on weekdays. Clearly I did not distract him from his normal routine.

Today I am thankful for...
...beautiful letters in the mail from beautiful people. Thank you.