Gratitude

• I have a healthy, able body.  I can jump, do a somersalt, curl my hair, wiggle my nose, and walk on the balls of my feet for a very long time.
• I live in a country without war or famine.  I have the freedom to publicly air my opinions on things without fear of retribution.  I am never hungry, have clean running hot and cold water, and access to a doctor if I need one.
• I have been married for 5 years, and I honestly think I am more in love now than I ever have been.
• We had several surprise expenses come up, and we were able to pay for all of them.  We can afford our mortgage, automobiles, groceries, animals, and still have money leftover for internet, eating out or shopping, and weekend trips every once in a while.
• I have several amazing and true friendships in my life.  I have people who choose to see me in thier time off, without me forcing them to.
• I have two families.  My grandparents are still doing well.  I enjoy spending time with my parents and brother.  I am expecting a new niece or nephew in less than a month.
• We both have jobs that we don't hate, that pay our bills and give us a sense of purpose.

I am currently wrapped in a cozy sweater in my own house, drinking coconut water and baking sweet potato cupcakes.  In about 15 hours I will be sitting down to a feast with my family.  Sometimes it's tempting to look at all of the things that have gone wrong in your life, the things that you wish were better or the things you still have left to accomplish.  But when you really look at your life, it's mind-boggling how blessed we really are.  No matter the whitewashed historical atrocities, the rush to get into the Christmas spirit, or the simple "blah" nature of this time of year in Michigan, we sure do have a lot to be thankful for.