I try to start most days reflecting on the things that I am thankful for. Things like a spouse that loves, supports, inspires and challenges me. Parents who invested the time and patience to love consistently and genuinely. Who supported me in becoming authentically me. That I married into family full of love, without tension. The years I have had with my grandparents. Large gatherings with extended family. Quiet conversations and loud laughter with friends as close as family. My health. Work I enjoy. Food. Shelter. Time to write.
These are certainly the things that ground me. The ones that can help turn around those inevitable days that I feel too something. Too busy. Too tired. Too uncomfortable in my own skin. Too restless. Too uninspired. Too scared.
But there are also other things. Small things that sometimes get lost in all that too something-ness. So on this quiet Thanksgiving morning I’m taking a minute to be grateful for a few of them.
- the delicious english muffin I just ate
- orange marmalade
- butter
- locally roasted coffee
- the North Park University mug (from a friend as close as family) that I’ve used for years
- fuzzy socks
- pajama pants
- holidays and lazy mornings
- Rhapsody
- e-mail/social media
- blogs
- having one car (being able to walk to work/food/fun)
- craft beer
- home brew
- local restaurants
- movies
- plays
- pretty dresses
- consignment shops
- complicated recipes
- beautiful words
Happy Thanksgiving!