It's Just A Simple Mason Jar

Emptied my “Good Things in 2024” jar, which was the fullest of any year since I started keeping track of good things. Sixty pieces of paper with good things on them!

It all started in January, when my nephew won two Emmys for his sound work on the Hulu series “Bear.” What a great start to the year.

In February, one slip noted I had auditioned for a part in a play! That was nervy, don’t you think, to put that in the jar when I hadn’t gotten a part, yet? But I was proud of myself for getting up the gumption to audition, so it was right to make a slip to honor that bravery.

March brought the news that I had been cast as Mrs. Soames in the play “Our Town.” That was amazing.

April noted special lunches with my son and one with my 18-year-old grandson. Those one-on-one lunches are special to me, and they always earn a place in my good things jar.

Well, May was simply an awesome month, as Our Town had a successful run. Many friends and family came out to support me, and my daughter even came from Washington state to see the show on two different days. (Here is where I have to say my son saw it twice, too, in case he reads this!)

June was one grandson’s high school graduation and all the hoopla that went with that. Then in July I auditioned for another play, a one-act this time, titled “Boss Grandma.”

Only one slip in the jar for August, about a lunch with my other grandson. But I did get the part (guess who I played) and August was filled with rehearsals. Strange I didn’t make a slip about getting the part. Sometimes, one gets a bit lackadaisical about the jar. That’s okay. Just get back at it.

September noted excitement about “Boss Grandma” and I even got to meet the playwright. Also, made note that my sister and her husband were okay in western North Carolina, after Hurricane Helen wreaked such devastation. That hurricane was definitely not a good thing, and western North Carolina still has a long recovery ahead.

October brought more family time, one grandson was in college, one was offered his first real job in a law firm and got his own apartment, one started high school, and my granddaughter began her senior year in high school. All exciting times. Another sister and I went to Wilmington, NC for a three-day mini-reunion of classmates we both knew in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Those bonds are strong, and although now those “kids” are in their 70s and 80s we had a sing-a-long of our favorite folk songs from that time period (remember John Denver?), as well as Spanish songs made famous by Los Fronterizos….what a precious memory.

The year ended with more rich family time, and a special holiday luncheon at the home of one of my writing group friends. Since moving to North Carolina, I have found great connections through my Memory Makers writing group, the Greensboro Newcomers Club, and the Hemphill Library Benchmark Book Club. I am thankful for all of them.

For me, gratitude is what life is all about. We all have so much to be thankful for. I refuse to let politicians take away my joy and gratitude. I just read “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. As an indigenous woman, her people understood the importance of receiving with gratitude, and giving back in reciprocity. I remain deeply affected by this book.

Perhaps you are good at remembering the positive moments from the previous year. I find my Good Things jar keeps me focused on gratitude. In 2025, I will be watching for Good Things and striving to keep a grateful heart.