Thankful, Really

Happy Thanksgiving! I wouldn’t say this has been the best year ever, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still many things to be thankful for. I started keeping a text file of good things, and here’s what I have at the moment. Thank you for reading, whether you are new or old, as it is certainly one of the things I am grateful for.

Mornings when I can wake up without an alarm clock,

Hot showers on a cold day,

All showers, really.

Drinking coffee in the morning in the backyard, listening to the world wake up.

Cold drinks on a hot day, especially iced coffee.

Not having a job where you dread going to work,

Feeling externally appreciated for the work you do,

Feeling an internal purpose for the work you do.

Being able to pick up the kids after school and listen to them unwind a bit with a snack and no other expectations in the backyard before they have to start homework, sports, etc.

The eternal good attitude of dogs.

The feeling after a long run (without injury).

Moments when the kids are playing together harmoniously, laughing.

All laughter, really. (Baby laughs are the absolute best.)

Cooking a dinner that makes the house smell good,

Eating dinner each night as a family and sharing stories about our day,

Any food with friends and family, really.

Goodnight hugs when they don’t want to go to bed just yet and will put up with extra questions and longer hugs and deeper discussions.

All hugs, really.