Ten Things of Thankful: Before My Flight Home Edition

I took a flight to California yesterday to see my grandchildren (and their parents, too, of course!) and am currently in a hotel room before my flight home. It was a quick trip, but a fun one. 

1. I'm thankful for airplanes that make such quick trips possible. 

2. I'm thankful that my laptop made it through the security check--twice! After I was through the TSA checkpoint and had put my shoes on and picked up my carry-on bag, I realized my bag was lighter than normal. My laptop (which I had taken out of my bag and put in its own bin) was missing! TSA officials told me that sometimes it takes a while to get the bins through, and to wait a few minutes. I waited, but couldn't imagine how the bin couldn't have gone through already. An overheard announcement was made to all waiting passengers to check to make sure they hadn't inadvertently picked up someone else's belongings. After more time went by, a TSA worker found my computer. I think someone (maybe even me) stacked an empty bin on top of the bin my laptop was in, and the stack of bins was returned to the beginning of the security line. In any case, I got my computer back, and still made my flight. 

3. I'm thankful for my precious grandchildren. It simultaneously warms and breaks my heart to see them cry when I leave. Before the sad goodbyes, though, my granddaughters showed me how they can write and draw, and my grandsons posed for silly selfies and generally just drooled all over me (that happens when you are teething, after all!)

Photo: Oldest granddaughter, dressed in a green knit dress and lying on the wooden floor, traces numbers and words in a workbook

Photo: Youngest granddaughter, dressed in a red knit dress and seated on the wooden floor in front of the couch, colors in shapes in a workbook.

Photo: Oldest grandson and I take a selfie. I have on my glasses, and he balances a pair of upside-down sunglasses on the tip of his nose.

Photo: Youngest grandson chomps down on my thumb. Fortunately, despite my expression, I experienced no pain, as he is all gums still.

4. I'm thankful for pre-cut felt numbers, sharp scissors, and hot glue. Before my trip, my daughter mentioned how she wished she had an advent calendar like the one she remembers from childhood. I was able to make a replica of the calendar I made 30 years or so ago and take it to her family to carry on the tradition. 

Photo: A felt Nativity advent calendar, portraying Joseph, Mary, and Jesus in the stable, as well as shepherds, wise men, angels, stars, and various animals.

5. I'm also thankful for a helpful customer in a sewing machine repair store, who saved me a repair bill by making a suggestion to me regarding my machine. What I thought was a problem, wasn't. That allowed me to finish the calendar project on time.

6. Speaking of advent calendars, I'm thankful for the #LightTheWorld campaign. Click on the video link in the top right-hand side of my sidebar to view the video for the day. Each day in December until Christmas features another scripture and ideas on how to serve others. It's a great way to bring joy into the Christmas season!

7. I'm thankful for opportunities to meet wonderful people. Earlier this week, I attended an unveiling of service vending machines, in connection with the #LightTheWorld initiative. After the event, I chatted over lunch with some lovely people: Kara from TodayIAmEnough.com and Rachel (and her husband, daughter, and father-in-law) from TheOhanaAdventure.com. I was impressed with the graciousness of such successful social media figures. I mostly listened, but when I talked, my comments were heard and valued. I appreciated the chance to become acquainted with Kara and Rachel. 

8. I'm thankful for Quick Quack car washes. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I dread entering car washes--not because of the brushes, but because with some car washes, I can't seem to get my car's front tire lined up correctly in the wash. At Quick Quack, there is an attendant who helps direct the drivers onto the moving belt, so I never have to panic that I am doing it wrong. Also, Quick Quack has the best vacuums, and they are free to use after the wash. (Though this sounds like a commercial, I did not receive any compensation for this item of gratitude.)

9. I'm thankful to know that my gratitude extends beyond what I list every week. This week in particular, I know I thought of several other things throughout the week that I failed to write down at the time. Although it bothers me that I don't remember now, at least I was thankful in the moment, and I'll just try in the future to write things down at the time. 

10. As always, I am thankful for John. Earlier this week, I was getting nervous about this solo trip; the details kept changing, and not all the pieces were familiar to me. He was able to assure me that everything would be fine. I'm looking forward to him picking me up from the airport this afternoon! 

What are you thankful for this week? Please join us at the Ten Things of Thankful blog for our weekly celebration and expression of gratitude. We welcome new friends!