Things I'm Grateful For

I think I wrote about something similar to this closer to Thanksgiving, but here are a few more things that I'm grateful for (Warning: some are more silly than others):

For my godson's ability to be cute simply by existing.

here is nothing he does that I don't think is absolutely adorable. In so many ways, it reminds me of how our heavenly Father looks upon us. Of course, if there is something that angers Him (in a analogical way), it is our sins, but I do not think that changes how He looks upon us, His creation, with great love. That does not mean sin and the struggle to virtue, and working salvation with fear and trepidation are dismissed, but I think such fear and trepidation is easier to understand within the context of a loving Father, gazing upon His son. MJ will make mistakes, but he is just so imminently lovable.

Premier League Games on Television

I remember being a little kid and waiting for Saturday morning cartoons to start after soccer. Soccer did not interest me back then, but now that I am a genuine Liverpool fan, it brings me great joy to see my beloved Reds take the pitch live in the comfort of my own home. The programming leaves something to be desired, however, when Manchester United vs Liverpool was bumped by sides other than Chelsea, Manchester City and maybe Tottenham. It was a crime that that match was not as accessible as it should have been.

For my friends' growing families.

It is not possible for me to express how grateful I am to see your children, pick them up, play with them, but more importantly, to see you grow in virtue as first, (or even second or third) time fathers and mothers. It is a great joy for me to see Marky change diapers, Jom discuss feeding patterns, Figgz' enthusiasm about Jalen, holding Maya and trying to be friends with Isabella, Annie's pictures of Max and Ben, Ignatius' fear, Isabella's hellos on facebook messenger, etc. I love being part of your family life, even if it is still in a remote way.

Examples of Virtue

Related to the aforementioned, but I am always in awe of men and women who exemplify virtue in their own way. Perhaps, in today's grab bag of negative news, (fake news, real news, doesn't matter. Watching the news is a good way to become overly skeptical of the world) acts of virtue stand out more than they should, but I, for one, am certainly not aware of when they do happen. Just yesterday, I saw some kids at a high school include another kid sitting on the sideline in a basketball game. I do not think they wanted to include him, but they did, finding him a spot in the game. It might be nothing, but for me, it was definitely something.

Friends Who Love Football, Hockey and Basketball

Yes, I wrote about this earlier, but there are few things I enjoy more than hanging with friends and family while watching my favourite teams...lose. There are exceptions mind you: Clemson humiliating Alabama with Father and Ma; seeing the Blazers put the boots to the Sixers and watching the Saints survive against Philly, and... that's pretty much it. This does not mean, however, that sports are not enjoyable, especially when our good friends who are Patriots fan smile their way through a Chargers beat down.

Nuff Said