Gratitude Practice*
“…engage the phenomena of the world with earnestness.” Ocean Vuong
In my journal this morning I noticed right away the date I started it: June 17, 2025. It’s not really my journal—it is one Annie bought herself and started five years ago. Unfortunately, she only made one entry (I guess neither one of us is that great at regular journaling) but what she wrote was so touching, I was grateful that she had written it down. Because it was a gratitude journal, there was a numbered list at the ready so the writer could write down what she was grateful for and on February 16, 2021 she was grateful for “seeing Papa last night” which was the day before he died. When I was going through her things and came across this mostly blank book, I knew I’d keep it for myself. And I would try to continue on with it, for her, in the spirit of gratitude that she worked so hard to maintain. I wrote a little bit last year and threw it in my bag when packing to head back to Maine this year. I opened it back up this morning.
I don’t know why Annie was so hard on herself, to make sure she was grateful all the time, so much that she bought herself such a journal. Because, as far as I could tell, she was. She even had a little daily reminder set on her phone, “What are you thankful for?” that popped up around 6pm. And even as the cancer relentlessly attacked her, she continued to be grateful for mostly her son, but also her friends, her family, the nurses who helped her, the small treats that people would drop off and the love that she continued to give and receive throughout her treatment. I imagine it was only in the deepest part of her heart that did she acknowledge the tragic reality of the disease that was taking her life away, but for all who came in contact with her they only knew that smile and her gratitude.
When we sat down to figure out our guiding values for Pocket, we came up with:
Kindness and Empathy
Engagement and Commitment
Responsibility and Citizenship
Environmental Stewardship
and we decided those would show up as:
the Gift Card program
Breast Cancer Advocacy & Support
Scholarships
Conservation and Environmental Outreach
I’ve mentioned before, we’re still finding our way down this path, but I feel good that what we’re doing is something Annie would be happy about. She would like that we’re helping others who are struggling and honoring the community that brought her so much joy. I think she, who tried to stay out of the spotlight more than in it, would even be proud of the work we’re doing, even as she would be doing a much better job than I am of getting it organized! But, not only proud…I think she’d be grateful.
Update on giving:
We have now endowed our Citizenship Scholarship at Annie’s high school alma mater and we awarded our second scholarship this past May to a wonderfully qualified senior who wrote to us that she “will continue to be a devoted part of my community through service and volunteering.”
We have made arrangements for two ASAP! Summer camp scholarships again this year. We love being able to provide these opportunities for kids to attend the camp Annie devoted so much time and energy to when she was at ASAP!
We were lucky to participate in the Give Local campaign again last April and we are very pleased with our final total: $6058
Our Gift Card program has been expanded to include those in the community who are experiencing undue stress and hardships. We offer two types of support—for cancer patients and for general emergencies. There are very few requirements on our application form, so please contact us if you know of someone who could use a bit of help in the form of a $100 gift card.
Use these links: (or email info@loveannie.org)
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Pocket Full of Rocks
PO Box 186
Watertown, CT 06795
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*From a line Annie wrote in one of her letters, “My 10-year-old son makes fun of me and my positivity. I tell him it takes practice. It’s not something that has always come naturally.”
Yes Annie is absolutely proud and grateful for all you're doing here, Cindy! Congratulations on all you've already accomplished to help others.