While it remains to be seen just how thankful Native Americans were to have the Pilgrims over for the first Thanksgiving dinner, this holiday has evolved into a day synonymous with gratitude. Even Facebook has a viral application asking members to list one thing they are thankful for every day in November, a task that has some stumped- but not me. Give me a year and I could list something I’m thankful for every day. Give me a day and I could list something every minute. Its not that I live a charmed life, or even an easy life, but I do try to look for those precious moment of gratitude and appreciation that can easily get crushed under the burden of our daily grind.
So with my apologies to spell check, and throwing punctuation and caution to the wind, here are a few things I find myself thankful for during this holiday season, in no particular order:
The first cup of coffee in the morning. Real whipped cream. Faith. Comfortable shoes. Freshly cut flowers. Little kid giggles and the grown ups who do silly things to cause them. Peace. Inspiring quotations. Meaningful discussions and agreeing to disagree. That I’m fit enough to climb the monkey bars at the playground, but wise enough to know that’s probably not a good idea. Inside jokes. People who know the difference between what needs to be said and what remains better unsaid. Roller coasters and friends that will still ride them with me. Everything water- from cleaning tears to the salty ocean to a hot bubble bath.
Venting my frustrations in a letter. Knowing when to send it and when not to. Compassionate doctors and nurses. Anything Coffee Time bakes. Wrinkle free/stain resistant clothing. Fresh starts and second chances. The first snow of the winter and the first spring day that signals the end of it. People who keep me safe and free: police, fire and Servicemen and women. My college diploma and teachers who helped me achieve it. Staff and volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club, Salvation Army, food pantries, shelters and other organizations that exist to help community members in need.
The gasping beauty of a star filled night sky far away from city lights. The Wicked Running Club and new friends I’ve met. My non-running friends I already had. Marathon finish lines and friends that cross them with me. Hand written notes. Vanilla birthday cake with buttercream frosting and the gift of another year. A tall non-fat 2 pump with whip cinnamon dolce on a cold winter morning. New pajamas. Traditions- honoring old and making new. Hope. Finding something I thought I lost. Losing something I never liked anyway.
Pep Cornacchio and the love he has for this City. Anything cooked with butter and garlic. Holiday lights that brighten up my December commute. Hearing my favorite song on the radio then turning the channel and there it is again- score! Long weekends and a job I don’t mind going back to on Tuesday. Talk radio when I can’t sleep. That peaceful tired feeling at the end of an accomplished day. Forgiveness- giving and getting. Theatre, music, art, books and the creative people who dedicate their lives to enriching mine. Newspapers and the people who read them.
That when I submit this article for publication, I will immediately think of hundreds of things I should have/could have/would have added to this list if I had the time. And for that I am thankful indeed.
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