I’m thankful for a fun time at a murder mystery party with my mom and sisters. I ended up being a suspect, but I was not the killer. Whew! The dinner was good, the entertainment was fun, and we met a couple new friends.

Patrick and I got dinner out today and I ran into a woman in the bathroom who was bald. When I asked if she was going through treatment, she said she was. I mentioned I had a few years ago, and she eagerly opened up. We spent the next 10-15 minutes talking about hair loss, chemo, radiation, and surgery. We ended up hugging as we said goodbye. It’s amazing how instantly connected you can feel to someone who has a shared experience. I’m grateful I asked the question.

I’m also thankful that my mom and sisters are coming tomorrow to go to a 1920s murder mystery dinner a local restaurant is hosting. It will be a fun ending to this week.

This sweet boy! Today is his birthday, and I’m thankful for the almost ten years he’s been with us.

Is it wrong to try to get through a work day just to get to the massage after?

That was a trick question. The answer is always no. It’s never wrong. Unfortunately it doesn’t happen often enough. But I’m thankful it did today!

I’m grateful to have made it through this Monday, for sunshine, for a yummy dinner waiting for me when I got home, and for finally feeling a little relaxed.

Cooper turned one today, and I’m thankful for the silly butt. He helps us smile with his antics.

I had a day filled with friends. I met someone for coffee this morning, then Patrick and I went to a birthday party for a friend and saw a lot of folks we knew but hadn’t seen in a while. It was good to catch up, and I’m thankful for that.

It might seem like cheating, but I’m just thankful it’s Friday.

I’m thankful today for texts from friends, free lunch from a coworker, a pain-free injection at the doctor’s, and chocolate cake for dinner.

Well, happy Valentine’s Day. I hope your day was lovelier than mine. It was another tough day at work because another colleague was let go. It was the last of the planned reductions, but it was an emotional one for me since I consider him a friend. I even had a heads up—he saw it coming and told me—but I felt very unprepared when I was told officially. It’s one of the few times I’ve ever cried at work. It feels like the end of an era since he’s the last of those who were instrumental in getting me my job.

I’m comforted by the fact that he has accepted it and is ready to move on to something better for him. And I’m hopeful that we will eventually begin an upswing towards a more positive environment. I spent a good portion of my afternoon trying to reassure others who came to me gauging my reaction since a lot of his work will fall to me. I’m thankful for those who worried for me, gave comforting hugs, and said they were happy I was there because I helped make it a happier place. We will be fine eventually.

I’m also thankful for Patrick, who met me for pizza and beer after work at our favorite place and who had this beautiful bouquet waiting for me at home because he knew it had been a tough day.