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What do taxes, writing workshop, words on classroom walls, and Allie (my daughter-in-law) have in common? They are bits of celebrations I noticed this week.
Taxes seem like an odd celebration, and for many years it was a time of pulling hair and gnashing of teeth. That is no longer true. Mine are finished and sent away, but I did not have to labor over the language of the tax code. I know Turbo Tax says it’s simple, but they always asked me for something I don’t understand. I celebrate that someone took my data and turned it into a refund. One day, I will have a surprise increase in my bank statement. I love those kinds of surprises.
The past two weeks I’ve been visiting classes to observe writing workshop. It is so lovely to see workshop happening. Students happily, eagerly engaged in writing. Teachers teaching writing and loving it.
Several of these classrooms have some sayings on their walls I want to remember. One classroom announces “Mistakes are proof you are trying.” So when I make a mistake, I will remind myself, that at least I’m trying. “You can never have too much happy” is written on the radiator under the windows. Saturday celebrations are proof that there is always room for happy.
My final celebration is that my daughter-in-law, Allie sends me photos and videos of my granddaughter, Clara. Living 1,500 miles away from them makes us miss a lot of milestones in the granddaughters’ lives. Fortunately, Allie sends me bits, whether it’s a photo or video, of their everyday lives. This week they discovered a new natural park. Apparently Clara loves digging in the mud and exploring the earth. She does have genes of a geologist. One of the most recent videos shows off Clara’s swimming skills, when wearing massive water wings. One evening she began spinning like a top until she was so dizzy she fell down. What a joy these photos and videos bring me!
Think about your week. Look for the celebrations that might go unnoticed and take a few seconds to savor in the joy.
elsie tries writing 
Sounds like you had a good week. I love “Mistakes are proof that you are trying.” Like you, I hate being so far away from my granddaughter, now that I know about her. My granddaughter’s mom (who was actually just a friend of my son’s) is getting a new phone on Tuesday. I can’t wait!
All your celebrations tie in wonderfully. I love this quote: “Mistakes are proof you are trying.” The baby photos are just delightful. Enjoy your week.
I am happy for you that your daughter-in-law is so generously sharing the kids with you. But I feel bad for the granddaughters not having enough exposure to you. You have so many riches and talents to share with them. I hope you’ll be closer somehow as they get older and then they will also remember you better!
So much to celebrate this week, Elsie! Oh, but that Clara — she melts my heart! And look how big she is getting! That’s the best gift of each day! And I’m going to have to “borrow” that classroom poster for my OLW: “You can never have too much happy!” Agreed!
What sweet photos of your grandbaby! Thanks for the reminder to look for the celebrations.
All of your celebrations are delightful but those pictures from Allie are priceless. They must bring you comfort with their distance.
My favorite part was the snippets of classroom posters — I love visiting other classrooms and seeing how people decorate / how they create their communities! 🙂 So glad you have so much to celebrate, elsie!
Loved seeing your celebrations this week! Taxes are always a pain…glad they are done and that you get a refund! Woohoo! Your granddaughter is super cute, too!
I love this focus on celebrations. So much of how we experience in life is how we choose to experience it, and your positivity makes such a difference. I also appreciate hearing about your relationship with your daughter-in-law and the way she sends you photos of your beautiful granddaughter. My mother-in-law also lives far away and reading this post reminded me that I need to do a better job of making sure she is as much a part of their lives as possible. Thank you.
What a thoughtful daughter-in-law to send you pictures of your adorable granddaughter. You really do take the time to reflect on all the good things. You’re an inspiration!
I think you should use the tax return to buy an airline ticket and go kiss those gorgeous girls.
It’s all those little moments that make our lives so wonderful. Thanks for sharing your celebrations, especially those darling pictures of your granddaughter. It is so difficult living so far away from our grandkids. Hopefully you’ll soon have a visit planned.
Thank you for that – “Mistakes are proof you’re trying.” What wonderful photos!
Allie and Clara (absolutely adorable) and writing workshop-all worthy of celebration!!!! I am struggling to celebrate taxes with you, Elsie, but I am going to do my best! I have to get mine together this week…grrrr…
I was stumped by the teaser in your intro. Then I was further intrigued to read on by how you equated “taxes” with celebration. If you can find celebration in taxes, then I certainly need to hire you for my accountant! 🙂
One of the joys of this month-long challenge is being inspired by others to find the good in our daily interactions, doings, and dilemmas! Your slices always help me do just that. I hope you get to squeeze those little cheeks on that lucky granddaughter of yours soon!
Keith
Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures of your granddaughter. She is precious! Celebrations are so important – big and small. They help us appreciate life and focus on the positive.
Great celebrations. Big things,as well as small as ‘ll, are all worth. celebrating.
Wonderful celebrations! I love the swimsuit and hat with horse in hand. It’s true – looking back at the week helps us find the happy. Thanks for sharing.
Always want to have a bit of happy, and your receiving pictures of Clara often must make you very, very happy! She is darling, love watching her grow and learn new things!
Oohh…I love “Mistakes are proof you’re trying.” That is powerful. Clara is adorable. That pink swimsuit is worth celebrating as well. Lots to celebrate this week for you!
Special blessings to be celebrated. Thank you for pointing out the variety of ways we are given to celebrate. You never cease to be my inspiration.
Great celebrations Elsie! I love the pics of your granddaughter! Being far away is so, so hard!
The photographs of Clara are so gorgeous – such fun to get these updates from those we love who are so far away.
Videos, pictures and chats on the phone are the next best way to watch her growing and learning. Such a treasure to share.
Cute granddaughter pics. Congratulations on the tax refund. That is worth celebrating!
I enjoyed reading about your celebrations. Your granddaughter is adorable! I love the photo of her sitting, digging in the mud combined with the knowledge that she has the genes of a geologist. Thanks for celebrating and sharing!