Kim Shorts: Grateful for the little things

It’s my birthday this week - another reason to celebrate and simply be joyful.

As I start to write this, we’re coming out of our first December blast of snow filled with highway closures, followed by a blizzard warning a week later!

I am hoping for warmer days - if that’s even possible in January! There’s nothing like looking up at a clear blue sky, and perhaps a chance to walk down by great Lake Huron or in beautiful downtown Kincardine.

If the weather doesn’t co-operate, then I’ll have to talk my husband’s ear off. He will, of course, be sure to point me in the direction of a good movie to occupy my thoughts and activities.

It’s not easy having a birthday in January. But you have to make do with what you’re given, right?

We have the festive season behind us, along with the whole of 2024. For me, it turned into a busy one with unexpected twists and turns. That’s likely the same for most people. Everyone is asking, “Where did the year go?” Well, it went into living life, hopefully to the fullest, to meeting our daily challenges, and for others, just getting through life - one day at a time.

In looking back at 2024, and looking forward to 2025,, I am grateful for many things … for being surrounded by a loving family and great friends, for good health, and for the ability to move forward and meet the next challenge or to help others meet their challenges. It is really the basic stuff we should pay attention to.

I was also reminded, recently, that empathy needs to be part of what we do every single day. But this may not be something that comes easily. Like good habits, demonstrating empathy takes work and a lot of patience. As human beings, I’d like to think that we each are a work in progress when it comes to patience, and living with, and in, empathy.

I value my relationship with my partner of 42 years. I’m pretty sure I sometimes take Jim for granted. Then, when I see him in action, relating to others, I see his compassion and responsiveness for, and with, others, and I am reminded that this is someone who demonstrates empathy 24/7.

Even with me. Indeed, not an easy endeavor.
 
Using my empathetic skills, I have been able to interpret this new form of communication from Jim:
 

• A snappy short “grunt” from Jim means, “I’ll think about it.”
• The “harrumph” means, “Really! You want me to do that now?!!”
• The long, slow, low-sounding growl means he’s not at all interested in acting on my request, and, of course, has better things to do.

I guess with this new form of communication, I am reminded, once again, that I need to show respect and compassion. It takes someone special to put up with me and my many lists!

I am grateful Jim is in my life … especially around birthday time.