50 Things I'm Thankful For

Thanksgiving is an interesting Holiday. Historically it meant a trip out to Utah, or Vegas, or somewhere else family was congregated for a few days of laughter and fun. This year however I was NOT excited for this Holiday that once meant good times to me. Aeryn was supposed to spend the time in Denver with her dad and so, armed with my new passport, I was trying to plan a small excursion for the week. A friend has a place in Cabo San Lucas and though I was toying with crashing there for a few days, nothing came together. In the long run, it was for the best that I didn’t have a plane ticket booked and my sunblock packed. After a few logistical snafus she was able to stay with me for the week. This means we get to be together for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Definitely something to be thankful for!

Last Thanksgiving I started something I called my “blessing jar.” Every day when I woke and set to embark on the day’s journey, I would write down something I was grateful for and put it in the jar. It was such a simple and effective way to get my day off to an optimistic and joyous beginning. However, I have been out of the habit some few months now and my mindset has reflected it.

Then today I read this post by Dainon who, although a stranger, has impacted my blogging on a few different occasions. It struck to the core of my being. My mind has been racing and I feel a strong internal urging to capture my own list of 50 things to be grateful for. I will try really hard to not repeat the things I’ve already listed on the left of this page but some of them are pretty darn fabulous and special to me. As such they may get thrown in again anyway. I love this idea. I think I’ll make it an annual tradition as well. Kudos to you, whoever you are, for spreading such optimism and gratitude. You’re a rockstar.


50 Things I am Thankful For 2007

1. Starbuck’s gingerbread macadamia nut biscotti.
2. Aunt Jeanne’s Frito enchiladas.
3. Strangers who smile as they walk by.
4. Pretty much all things Ella, but especially her Swingin’ Christmas album and the vocal styling of Jane Monheit whose music is as inspired by The First Lady of Song as my own musical fantasies.
5. Unrequited love and the lessons it forces us to learn about ourselves.
6. Girl talk and ice cream.
7. A plethora of friends and acquaintances who surface at the most random, yet undeniably perfect, moments.
8. Homes filled with delectable aromas of homemade goodness.
9. The ease, affordability, and just plain joy of digital point and shoot photography.
10. Worthy Priesthood holders.
11. Living in a country where my actions are not governed by men with guns.
12. Fits of ridiculous laughter.
13. Snail mail.
14. Glad Press n’ Seal Wrap. Never again will I have loose films of plastic floating around and sticking to everything but the dish they are meant to cover.
15. Banana Republic clearance sales.
16. A passport waiting anxiously to receive its first stamp.
17. Good literature, even if I rarely take the time to read it. I love to have it around.
18. USAA’s annual auto insurance premium dividend.
19. A reliable and PAID OFF (Wahoo!!) vehicle.
20. The opportunity to return to school and finish what I started way toooo many years ago.
21. My Kitchen Aid mixer. Probably the most used appliance in my home.
22. Fond memories of my mother, of whom I will never quite live up to but, despite my imperfections, still aim to.
23. The resilience of the human spirit.
24. Evil Alien Conquerors
25. Long, hot bubble baths.
26. Amazing sunsets blanketing the sky with colors such as we usually only imagine seeing in nature.
27. Sore, burning legs after a good hike.
28. My new sassy, sexy boots.
29. Friends who are an entire decade my junior yet provide me with insights and examples which help keep my life on the proper path.
30. The amazing musical talent of some of my dear friends, including the jealousy it inspires in me and the pride I feel watching them indulge their passion.
31. Rechargeable batteries
32. Being so far in the middle of nowhere that the night sky looks like a bag of powdered sugar burst open atop a sheet of navy velvet.
33. Waterskiing
34. Never, as yet, having to wonder where I or my child will find our next meal.
35. 5 healthy senses.
36. Text messaging.
37. Playground swings at midnight.
38. Temple Square Christmas Lights.
39. Watching the lights come on the Chicago skyline at dusk.
40. Being able to stay home with my daughter most of her life thus far, even as a single parent for much of that time.
41. Increasing confidence.
42. Finding more than one bathing suit this last season that fits both my taste and the rest of me.
43. The calming, gentle flicker of candlelight.
44. Nalgene bottles
45. Miracles worked every day through the inspired actions of physicians.
46. Little arms wrapped around my neck and knowing that even in the midst of tantrums I am the most important person in her world.
47. Dragonflies
48. The Moochin’ Tree
49. Middle of the night Ihop excursions after Velour.
50. The joy I see in tomorrow, and my determination to make it great.