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| Photo: A patio table and 4 chairs are covered in a dusting of snow |
1. I'm thankful to be feeling much better. The hacking-until-my-sides-ache-and-tears-roll-down-my-face has subsided to the occasional, not-so-alarming cough. I told the church choir director I'd even show up for practice tomorrow, and Monday, I plan to start exercising again. It's been so ridiculously long since I've run, I'm going to have to start with a couch-to-5K training program. Sadly, my recently-adopted fitness plan hasn't really done much for my stamina (nor my physique, either, to be honest!)
2. I'm thankful for sweet new friends who have offered help over the past weeks. One offered to share a pot of soup she had made. (I doubt she realized I don't eat meat, so I thanked her, but declined.) Another sent a text checking in on me, and asked, "What can I do for you today?" Honestly, I think the simple gesture of asking was exactly what was needed. As I'm getting to know people in my new neighborhood, I'm feeling like they are getting an inaccurate portrayal of me. I rarely get sick, and when I do, it's certainly not for an entire month! I look forward to showing them that I'm really the "Let's go for a walk together!" person and not the "I'm just going to sit in bed in my jammies all day" person. 😊
3. I'm thankful that I attended RootsTech this week. For those of you not familiar with it, it is a huge genealogy conference. Thousands of attendees gather from all over the world for four days to take classes, attend workshops, listen to keynote speakers, connect with cousins, visit a large expo, and just generally have a great time.
4. I'm thankful to have been able to hear Saroo Brierley tell his story. Saroo's book, A Long Way Home, was made into a movie, Lion. John and I watched the movie when it came out a few years ago, and really connected to it for several reasons. The following video contains a clip from his keynote address:
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| Photo: John and I meet Saroo Brierley at a book signing |
5. I'm thankful to have made and renewed connections with cousins at RootsTech. Thanks to the "Relatives at RootsTech" app, I knew that over 3000 people at the conference were distant cousins of mine! Seriously, the theme of RootsTech, "Connect. Belong." came to life as we realized just how connected we are. (Now I know I have cousins in my own neighborhood!)
6. I'm thankful for the feeling of connection that Martin Luther King III brought to the conference. I had no idea that he would be at RootsTech, and hearing him quote his famous father was like hearing the speech for the first time. He is introduced at minute 39.
7. I'm thankful that connection begins with family. Patricia Heaton gave an excellent keynote address. Her introduction begins at minute 19.
8. I'm thankful for media that support and encourage family connection. I've mentioned Relative Race before on this blog. It's similar to The Amazing Race, but with a compelling aspect of discovering family members along the way. The new season starts March 10 on BYUtv, and I can't wait! Fortunately, Relative Race had a session at RootsTech, and I loved hearing a Q & A with some of last season's contestants. Joe, Jerica, Michael, and Austin were as delightful in person as they were on Relative Race.
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| Photo: Jerica, Joe, Michael (and Austin, hidden behind the podium) sit for a panel discussion, while Dan stands and takes questions |
10. I'm thankful for John. I'm glad he was able to attend RootsTech with me on Friday. It was fun to see John's interaction with Saroo, who joked about signing John's copy of his book, "To Dad." (Saroo's father's name is also John Brierley.)
Connect. Belong.
I'm thankful for each of you who take the time to connect with me, and with the Ten Things of Thankful community.
What are you thankful for this week? Please share!
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It sounds like a great conference. If i ever get interested enough and have time for genealogy, i think i would enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI imagine you would. Discovering family, and the stories behind the names and dates, really is a fascinating hobby.
DeleteWhat an amazing experience! My daughter does genealogy. Bet she'd love this.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she would!
DeleteThanks for sharing the videos! I'm going to be back visiting your post several times just to watch all the videos, but I love what I have seen so far.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little concerned about how our March here came in like a lamb, so I hope that does mean we will be going out like a lion. LOL
Can't wait to talk with you about your favorite classes, etc.
The RootsTech video archive can be accessed at this link: https://www.rootstech.org/video-archive
DeleteThey have more videos there than just the ones I shared.
I'm glad you're feeling better. Several of my co-workers had the same chest congestion/cold/hacking that it sounds like you are getting over. It took them quite awhile to feel better too. Don't be so hard on yourself! You may have to "start with a couch-to-5K training program", but I bet once you've been back at it for a couple of weeks it will be as if you'd never stopped :D
ReplyDeleteGenealogy is fascinating but I don't think I have the "sticktoitiveness" to be very good at it. What a tremendous feeling that must be knowing you have relatives all around you :)
I think this is a case of tone not coming through accurately. I'm not being hard on myself; I completely understand why I'm starting where I am in the training. That sentence about my recently-adopted fitness plan was a reference to my tongue-in-cheek post last week about how coughing really works the abs. :-)
DeleteAs for genealogy, it can be done in small segments of time. While it's true that it is easy to get lost in the research (we all have a LOT of ancestors!), it's not just all about gathering as many names of grandparents as we can. Being able to piece the stories together, seeing how ancestors tie into the history of the day, helps the past come to life.
If you ever decide to look into it, I'd be happy to help you get started.
increasing activity is surely the way to return to your sense of health. our winter has been most un-winter like...that said last night we got maybe 5 inches of pretty wet snow. (First workout of the year, shoveling and it's March!).
ReplyDeleteLiking the no-snow winter.
Feel better.
Weather is interesting. You are having a no-snow winter; here, our snow-pack levels are well over 100% of normal.
DeleteI'm doing tons better, and it definitely feels better to start exercising again.
So glad you are feeling better and so nice new friends are helpful.
ReplyDeleteyou are really immersing yourself in family. Not just yours, but family in general. It's nice and so nice to read about.
wendy from picnicwithants.com
Thank you for your kind words. Family is so important! If you enjoy hearing about family connections, you really should check out the TV show, Relative Race. It's such a positive show! The new season starts on March 10.
DeleteI love snow and your photo to start this post. Whether it's a light dusting or a thick blanket, but easy to say. I don't usually do the shovelling.
ReplyDelete:-)
Glad you're feeling better and ready to take on the world again.
I love the snow, too, which I guess is a good thing. :-) Like you, though, I'm not usually the one who does the shoveling.
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