1. Morning walks. Ringo is getting so much better, even running with Eric a bit again, but when he walks with me we take our time — or rather I take my time and he waits for me. A lot of the time, he and Eric go and are back before the sun is even up. With me, we wait so we can be on the trails as the sun is rising. Two things that absolutely keep me from giving up: a walk with a dog by the water and the sun rising.

2. Reading. I love it so much and have my whole life, could never live long enough to read all the books I want. It’s my favorite.

3. Practicing together. This is more complicated with COVID, but I can still make art with Calyx and write with my Friday morning sangha and meditate or practice yoga with some of my favorite teachers.

4. All those who refuse to give up. This applies to just about every one who is still here, still trying, and I’m so grateful for them, for YOU.

5. My tiny family, my tiny home, my tiny life. Eric has one more week of working until he is off for his winter break. I’ll be so glad to have him around more. Once he gets home from his run this morning, we are going to finally go get our Christmas tree and wrap it in lights — one of my favorite things. If Sam were still here, he would have turned 12 yesterday. I was so sure he’d be my old dog, am still reeling from how suddenly he got sick, how fast we lost him. It’s been hard for me, especially getting used to having only one dog at a time, and yet Ringo is the equivalent of multiple dogs, such a jerk but also so sweet and goofy. He’s also pretty happy being THE dog.

Bonus joy: clean laundry, snacks, raspberries, watching the squirrels eat the pumpkins from our compost, birds at the feeder and the bath, our neighbor’s four dogs, Chloe’s curls and sense of humor and adorable baby, the playlist Calyx made, Laurie, texting with my mom and brother, listening to podcasts, cooking, bread, new books, good TV (we finished the latest season of The Great British Baking Show last night, and then realized there’s an old season we somehow missed), down blankets and pillows and coats, watercolors, that corner of the couch, reading in bed at night while Ringo and Eric sleep.