Ten Gratitudes

Don and I had a tradition of eating fish at McCormick & Schmick’s on the Wednesday night before the Thanksgiving holiday (honestly, I think he actually preferred USAT’s turkey over mine since he seemed to have to work more Thanksgivings than not) where we shared a recap of the things, large and small, we were most grateful for over the past year.

Don’t think that as DINKs (Double Income, No Kids) that we managed elaborate letters/lists of grand documents every single year.  Much depended on work loads and the “busyness” of life (I still remember one year when the reservation kept getting pushed back in 30-minute increments because the Chief’s email wasn’t working—we finally made an 8:30 seating and the Exchange server was working, whoo-hoo!). 

This wasn’t the only time during the year when we were grateful, but it’s a specific moment when we were mindful of the year’s blessings.  Perhaps it’s an understatement to say this has been an especially challenging year, but I’m still thankful (for many things, but here are 10):

• The anonymous person(s) who raked the leaves in the front yard this week.  I don’t know who, but I know that I’m grateful (and Don, who used to shake the leaves off the limbs to be able to rake them, is, too).
• I’m not forced to make any immediate decisions about where I live or what I do.
• Lean Cuisine and NutriSystem dinners which lets me nuke food and not have to think about what I’m eating..
• Colleagues who took up the slack when I couldn’t meet work commitments and didn’t make me feel guilty.
• Friends who call and email to “exchange pleasantries.”
• Family and long-time friends who are my cheerleaders and “think I can” no matter what.
• Sunday School classes of toddlers who make me smile even when I’m sad.
• an iPhone that lets me track Facebook and Twitter and listen to tunes while I’m walking around the neighborhood (as my sole form of exercise).
• Nieces and nephews who call, text, email, paint my toes, and color my hair.
• A husband who thought I was “da bomb” for almost 20 years.  As Christopher Robin said to Pooh: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Yes, I’m grateful for the blessings of 2010 (call me Pollyanna) and looking forward with great hope to the adventures of 2011.  What about you?