Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)

 

2024 was a tough year.  It felt like change was in the air - for everyone but me.  I had colleagues become judges and magistrates. I had colleagues close up their solo practices and opt for an easier life as part of someone else’s firm.  I had colleagues go back to school to learn a new profession.  Daughter earned her Master’s degree and moved with her boyfriend to Maryland.  #1 Son earned his National Teaching Certification.  My life stayed the same.  I wasn’t working in the office as much since COVID, so I worked from home.  I didn’t see Intrepid Assistant very often because she and I were both working from home.  When I went to the office, the cul-de-sac was a ghost town because folks retired or moved.  I was primed for a humdinger of a pity party.  I can be a really good pity party planner. 

Then……I decided that pity parties are only good when they’re short.  So, for the first time in about 6 years, I baked some of my famous holiday cookies. I didn’t bake the ridiculous number I used to, but I made enough to give plates to neighbors and family.  It took long enough to watch 5 of my favorite Christmas movies, which I love doing while baking.  One of those movies is “White Christmas.”  As I watched my favorite scene, the one where Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sing Irving Berlin’s “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep),” it occurred to me that I should count my blessings for the year.  So I did.

I am thankful that I have another year of caring for my granddaughters one full day a week.  I am thankful I get to see #1 Son and Daughter in Love every week.  I am thankful Daughter moved to Maryland and is loving it (and that we get pedis together monthly).  I am thankful my children include me in their lives.  I am thankful to talk to Mom daily and see her almost every other month and that she enjoys good health and a full social life.  I am thankful to finally figure out what caused the debilitating bronchial episodes I had been having for months each year so I could avoid them.  I am thankful to run the Frederick Running Festival with one of my friends and see another one cheering us on along the way.  I am thankful for my Intrepid Assistant who is also my best friend.  I am thankful to bring smiles to my neighbors and family with my holiday cookies.  Whew! And that’s not everything for which I am thankful this year.

Is everything perfect?  Well, no.  All of the things that weren’t so great before still aren’t great.  I could still use some changes in my life.  I know, that’s not your problem here in the trenches.  You have way too many changes in your life.  They feel overwhelming.  The changes are not all pleasant.  Heaven knows that being in the trenches is not where you wanted to be.  I bet sometimes it feels like your entire life revolves around litigation and conflict.  I bet you’ve had a few pity parties yourself.  You know those parties are only good when they’re short.  Take a deep breath and grab a liverwurst sandwich, some buttermilk and count your blessings (instead of sheep).  Here in the Trenches.