It was Hannah Whitall Smith who penned these words - The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything. The soul that complains can find comfort in nothing!” I have so much to be thankful for - this past year I have experienced great joy - I have experienced great grief - and through all these immense feelings - I have given thanks. It is not the effort of me alone that a spirit of gratefulness is cultivated - it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the love of God in us. He is the constant in my life - last year - and in the year to come.

Here is a glimpse of 2024 in a nutshell! Pictures are said to say 1000 words - 12,000 words in this essay!!!!

January

February

March

**Spring break in Ottawa with all ten Jolliffe grandkids**

April

**Celebrating my daughters-in-law at St. Anne’s - they have all turned 40**

May

**Ottawa marathon weekend with Ben and fam**

June

**Getting ready for Pete and Heather’s big move to Kincardine**

July

August

**Spain - the Camino - Barcelona - Zac and Pete**

September

**Pickle ball getaway weekend with my friend Julie**

October

November

**Getaway to St. Anne’s spa with Laurie and Blaie to celebrate the guy’s birthdays**

December

**Singing in the Kincardine community choir concert with my friend Cathy.**

I once read a story about St. Paul’s Cathedral. A man sees two workers going about their business. One man is laying bricks and is grumbling and complaining. Another man is also laying bricks but he is whistling - smiling!

The man asks the first worker “what are you doing?”

The worker shoots back “Laying bricks! What does it look like I’m doing?”

The man asks the second worker the same question.

The second worker replies “I’m building a great cathedral.”

Both men were doing the same job but only one saw the big picture.

I don’t ever want to lose sight of the big picture - loving my family and friends - serving them - bringing joy into their lives - doing it faithfully - being grateful and thankful.

Bon voyage - 2024!