Thanksgiving Day: A Gratitude List

For the last two weeks, I’ve kept waiting for things to turn around, scrabbling at the roots of positive attitude as I try to keep from tumbling over the cliff into negativity. It’s been a rough two weeks, no doubt about it, but I realize that the lesson to be learned now is gratitude despite “everything” going wrong.

I’ve been keeping a mental list of things to be thankful for, but I haven’t been good about getting them onto my gratitude list. And I’m beginning to think that the act of committing words to “paper” is where they take root and begin to grow. So this morning, along with everyone else on the blogosphere, I will write my list of things to be thankful for, and I will choose not to focus on the annoyances, irritants, and stresses of the past couple of weeks.

I am thankful for the first quiet day in weeks, in my own back yard.

I am thankful for the enthusiasm with which my kids greet their grandparents’ arrival.

I am thankful for getting to go ice skating for the first time in four or five years.

I am thankful for the reminder that sometimes, trial and error is the best teacher.

I am thankful for Central Dairy ice cream.

I am thankful for sleeping through the night. I never thought that was going to happen again!

I am thankful for the opportunity to write my Advent book.

I am thankful for the rush in my blood that accompanies inspiration, and especially writing music.

I am thankful for the friends, neighbors, and parish community who wrap us up in love we don’t deserve and can never live up to.

I am thankful for scrapbooking.

I am thankful for my jade plant, given to me by Angeleita, which is the only plant I’ve never managed to kill, and which is a constant memento to me of a very special mentor.

I am thankful for the end of the spit-up era (for this baby, anyway).

I am thankful for generous input for my next article.

I am thankful for Christmas lights.

I am thankful for beauty in all its various forms.

I am thankful for the luxury of recreation.

I am thankful for the opportunity to advocate for my daughter and others like her.

I am thankful for the people that I have met through this advocacy.

I am thankful for the way parenthood (and marriage) stretches my soul.

I am thankful for the end of the nursing strike.

I am thankful for good food.

I am thankful for the cute and tender and funny moments that my children give me.

I am thankful for the beautiful autumn.

I am thankful that the harvest is finally moving well, late though it is.

I am thankful for the chance to see family, immediate and extended.

I am thankful for my family, who now calls me upstairs to nurse and teach and dress.