Gratitude Friday

1. Morning walks. To be honest, I didn’t go on any this week. We got snow and it was cold and Eric is on a break from work, so he and Ringo went running every morning. However, this morning when I was coming back from picking up groceries, the sunrise over the river was so pretty that I turned around and parked by the trail to get some pictures. Just as I was walking back to my car, Eric and Ringo came running towards me on the trail, so I got to say “hi” and walk with them a little bit.

2. A whole new year. I really really want it to be better than this one, but I also accept that even this could have been worse and there was so much to be grateful for, still.

3. Practice. I was thinking the other day how all my practices — writing, meditation, yoga, and even dog — all intended for me to meet myself where I’m at, to be with what is arising in this very moment, and that by being gentle and open, I am my truest and strongest self. May it be of benefit.

4. People doing their jobs, keeping it all going. Last night around 6 pm, a water main broke on our block. The utilities company had people there right away, and they stayed ALL NIGHT working to fix the problem, in the cold and wet and dirt, and they had it all done and cleaned up and working again by 7 am. What a miracle that we have access to clean water, that there are those who understand how to make that system work, and when something breaks down, they are right there working on it until it’s fixed — in this case while we did nothing but watch and sleep. People every day making sure we have access to food and vaccines and electricity, keeping the rest of us safe and cared for and comfortable. We are so lucky.

6. My tiny family, our little house. This week was sweet and quiet and wonderful.

Bonus joy: books, music, TV, movies, podcasts, clementines, getting in the pool, sitting in the sauna with Eric, our Christmas tree lights, naps, hanging out and writing with Mikalina, tea with Chloe’, texting good wishes to people I love, Christmas cards, pay day, having all the laundry done and put away, snow, tiny birds at my feeders (I have two now), down blankets and pillows, texting with my mom and brother and nieces, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.

Tried to take a picture of all three of us in front of the tree. This is the best we could do.

1. Merry everything, happy always! I am so grateful we got this far and are healthy, happy, and safe.

2. Mabel Magazine, Issue #5. It really is the best one yet, and I’m so glad that Liz and Stefanie reached out and asked me to submit — I really wanted to, but hadn’t managed the effort on my own (burnout is brutal!), couldn’t land on what to write when the theme was “living in the now,” but with their encouragement I was able to put something together, and I’m so happy to be sharing space on these pages.

3. Exchanging gifts with Eric. He always gets me the best presents, some things I wanted, asked for, and then some I would have never even thought of but are perfect. He’s so cute on Christmas morning, just like a kid, can’t wait to open his presents.

4. Morning walks. The darkest part of the year, but also so pretty out — cold, quiet, and the best sunrises.

5. Christmas cards and other good mail. I have the sweetest, kindest friends and family. One of these years, I’ll send out some cards. Probably. Maybe…?

Bonus Joy: watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, early mornings when it’s still dark but the Christmas lights are on, texting with everyone I miss and haven’t seen it WAY TOO long, all the people who worked so hard so the rest of us could stay home and safe (in particular, the people working at the grocery store and those putting together and delivering packages), all the first responders and medical professionals and those who worked on the vaccines, writing and hanging out with Mikalina, texts from Chloe’ that include cute pictures and videos, videos and pictures of Lia, having shopped early so most everything got where it was supposed to go on time, clementines, being done with all the cooking in time to take a shower and a nap before eating it, the ease of a day like today, Eric being off work so he can spend more time resting and with me, cheddar cayenne biscuits, audiobooks and podcasts, the sticker on my laptop that reminds me “it’s ok,” knowing it’s okay to rest, all the new books, meditating in the morning in front of the Christmas tree, writing while drinking a hot cup of coffee in front of my HappyLight, a warm shower, clean sheets, dental floss, bird feeders, naps, reading in bed at night while Ringo and Eric sleep.