My Second Five Weeks of Thanks

WEEK 6, 4-30-08

1. I’m grateful that all three Detroit teams (2 big playoff games) won last night.

2. I’m grateful that my classroom discussion of religion in America went so amazingly well.

3. I’m grateful that my wife is so amazingly honest and good (if not business smart) that she felt the need to tell me about free Red Wing playoff tickets she turned down, knowing that it would make me upset.

4. I’m grateful that, while upset, I was able to keep calm and not make it too big of an issue.

5. And most importantly, I’m grateful that my wonderful in-laws came over on Saturday, helped us paint and plant, and that we all enjoyed great food and conversation.

WEEK 7, 5-5-08

1. I’m grateful that, once again, three Detroit teams won again.  Redwings and Pistons are looking really good right now.

2. I’m grateful that I was invited to two fun parties on Saturday.  Thank you, inviters.

3. I’m grateful that I was invited to a movie on Friday night by a group of church guys who don’t even know me, and the fact that my not knowing them doesn’t bother me.  It was a fun night as well.

4. I’m grateful that, after two days of cleaning up after messy tenants in the “Devil House,” I didn’t let it get me down.  It was grueling, disgusting work, scrubbing this off walls I can’t even mention here, and filling an entire vacuum bag of dirt and hair from the never-vacuumed, once new and spotless carpet I had installed just two years ago.  I could have felt depressed, but I didn’t.

5. I am so grateful for Sunday.  Ultimate was great, I contributed to my team, ran very hard, and won all three games.  Upon returning home, my wife wanted to ride bikes.  I had blisters on both feet and was exhausted, but we rode.  We ended up riding for 30 miles, touring Troy to look at possible future houses.  It was probably the longest ride of her life.  The weather was awesome.  She was awesome.  Who am I kidding?  My life is awesome.

WEEK 8, 5-15-08

I’m excited about starting my mountain biking summer tomorrow morning at Island Lake.

I’m grateful that I can be excited about riding my bike, alone; that I possess the motivation to do so.

I’m grateful that my wife had the patience to put up with my extreme overreaction last week.

I’m grateful that I have the patience to calmly deal with terribly costly mistake my wife made a few days later.

I’m grateful that I persist in keeping up with this weekly list, even after the hellish week I just endured.

WEEK 9, 5-19-08

I’m grateful that my wife and I survived these last two weeks without any lasting damage.

I’m grateful that a couple I met only a few months ago are turning out to be such great friends.

I’m grateful that my family is coming to understand each other’s differences, and to realize that “different” isn’t necessarily wrong.

I’m grateful that the school year is almost over.

WEEK 10, 6-1-08

I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to see our country’s great hope, the next President of the United States, Barack Obama, speak at the town hall meeting in Troy, last Monday.

I’m so very, very grateful that the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup Championship last night.

I’m grateful that Eric, Matt, Dan, Bob, and Jenna were there to help celebrate the victory with me.

I’m grateful that over half the people I just mentioned are brand new friends, I’m always grateful for making new friends.

I’m so, so grateful that my wife is so understanding, and despite how much she will miss me, she has given me no grief for leaving her for a month.  I am just so darn grateful for my wife!!!