Four years ago, I signed up for this service that will send you a text message each evening to ask you what you’re grateful for that day.

I can’t say I’ve been perfect about responding every day. But it’s always a nice little reminder to check in with myself in the moment. And it’s fun because they’ll send you a weekly recap by e-mail of what you wrote. And that recap also includes “A Memory From the Past” which is just one of the many texts you’ve sent picked at random.

It’s funny to look back at old ones. Because you can so clearly see what I was appreciating in that season of life, what phase I was in, what things I was prioritizing.

Anyway, I find that – lately – when I get these text messages, the thing I’m often thinking about is how lucky I am to have this job.

I didn’t imagine this job would be super enjoyable. I knew I’d prefer to be working face to face with people. But I wasn’t willing to put Ishu in a situation where he wasn’t comfortable.

I decided to go virtual this year because it would allow me to be with him for most of the day. While still keeping me in the loop professionally. So that when I eventually DID make it back to a brick-and-mortar school, I will (hopefully) not be stumbling around trying to figure out how to do this whole school psych thing.

So I “sacrificed.” Or so I thought. Maybe I just got lucky and landed at a district that feels like the perfect fit.

But every time that text message pops up asking me what I’m grateful for, my first instinct is to say MY JOB, MY JOB, MY JOB.

I log in when I have meetings and when I’m testing kids. And I try to do those at a time when Ishu is occupied (with Bella or napping!). But I love having the flexibility to be with him throughout the day.

On days when Bella doesn’t come over.

On the days when he needs a little more love from mama.

When he needs me to put him down for a nap.

I can take a break from what I’m doing and read him a few books. We can eat lunch together. And my commute (or lack thereof) is so wonderful compared to the last commute I had (680 freeway, Bay Area folks?! NO THANK YOU!).

It’s such an amazing feeling to know that I am doing what I love without having to sacrifice this time with my baby. This time is fleeting. And I know when he grows up, I’m never going to regret missing out on anything. Because I’m right here. Right by his side. For all the big and small moments.

I am so grateful.

(And, just for a fun little laugh, here’s what I was grateful for the day we cut Ishu’s hair).

Like I said, it’s fun looking back at them because you get a sense of what’s going on in just a few sentences. Ha.

I started it out when it was a free service, but now I think it’s like $15/year? Still so worth it!

Questions of the Day:

Do you have a gratitude practice?

What is one thing you’re grateful for this week?