New 2015 Gratitude List

This morning I woke up and decided to pick up my thread about the case of the 17 year old is who is being forced to have chemo against her family wishes, and just ended up in arguments. Elsewhere on Facebook, there were discussions about the terrorist attack this morning in France, and on Twitter a whole host of comments about how dare Obama start free community college.

SIGH.

So this is a reboot post because yesterday was a) too bitterly cold, b) I lost something I purchased at the supermarket where c) the clerk took my coupons without crediting them. And right now, the car broke down as hubby was driving home from his last day of work so he’s currently in the shop and it has to be fixed by Monday, latest.

SIGH.

Anyway, while there’s still time to cheer myself up, here are 10 things I’m beyond grateful for:

1. Being a believer has lifted me in ways I cannot even express to those of you who aren’t. In this bitter winter, I actually DO have my faith to keep me warm.
2. I’m grateful to be married. My marriage is surviving a difficult time. I’m optimistic it will come out better and even more wonderful than ever because facing challenges and conquering them are opportunities to build a better relationship.
3. I’m grateful to have regular work. I have some wonderful writing gigs and an amazing, even if they are quite a challenge at times and even if I wasted way too much of my good years chasing crap I wasn’t meant to do. That is, I’m grateful that it’s NEVER too late.
4. I’m grateful my husband always manages to find work. Not having regular jobs is a big challenge for both of us, but my husband is pretty adept (and blessed) at finding work contracts.
5. I’m grateful for my children. My kids are being seen by one of the best homeopathic providers around and, even without that, have returned to a state of affection and love that I am TOTALLY enjoying right now.
6. I’m grateful my family is reasonably health, even if I do believe autism has medical issues at its core.
7. I’m grateful for my home. I love where I live, even if it is colder than a — for some reason, all I can think of is “Witch’s Tit” which I saw in a movie somewhere. You’re welcome.
8. I’m grateful for my house. I’m not all that attached to it as I used to be because now I see it as the material can’t-take-it-with-you thing that it is, but I’m so happy that we’ve managed to keep it., even though we came close a few times to losing it.
9. I’m grateful for Netflix. The silliness of “The Interview” was needed at a difficult time and “Sherlock” has restored my faith in writers, actors and directors. Enough said, although WHAT will we watch next?
10. I’m grateful for being part of the real food movement. I’m completely stumped HOW I got here so I’m even more thankful, LOL.
11. I am grateful for my friends. I am blessed with wonderful, amazing, supportive, honest, faithful lifelong friends, something that for a time, I never thought I would have, since I’m absolutely STUPID at reading people.
12. I’m grateful for coffee. Coffee exists and is in my kitchen – 3 levels of strength too, plus milk, sugar, stevia and coconut creamer, not to mention other things you can add like coconut milk or cocoa powder.
13. I’m grateful it’s 2015! Good things happened professionally in 2014, this year I’m taking that to a new level and looking forward to good things in ALL areas of my life this year.
14. I’m grateful for social media. Yea, it can be a pain, but it can be a blessing too and fun at times.
15. I’m grateful for chocolate. Well, who wouldn’t be?
16. I’m grateful we live in a time when there are lots of food options for people who are gluten, dairy, soy, GMO free, etc. etc.
17. I’m grateful for my kids’ school. I realized from the comments that the atmosphere we have found is NOT available to everyone. Gosh, no wonder people naysay it.
18. I’m grateful God gifted me with writing chops. People like the way I write. What my decision is, do I stay in comfortable waters, which my thin skin is well adapted for, or do I dip into controversy for the things I feel passionate about, a list that is growing by the day.
19. I’m grateful to be my age. I’ll be 50 this year (!!!) so I can officially enter the “I don’t give a hoot” phase of life, right? Actually, I’m grateful to be here because of the wisdom I’ve gotten on this journey. Sure, maybe I’d rather have my 30 or 40yo body, but my brain? Nope, no way, this one’s way better!
    
20. I’m grateful for 2nd chances, positive outlooks, encouraging stories, humor, uplifting music, date night when we can get it, fellowship with friends and in general all the stuff that makes you feel GOOD.
21. I’m grateful that my Kindle is loaded with good books, so I can have the “so many books, so little time” debate.
22. And finally, I’m grateful that worse comes to worst, there’s always dancing.

And in further pondering the case of the girl being ruled by the state to have chemo, I have decided to make peace with my feelings. The fact, I’m not sure how this should have played that I would be more content with. I’m just blessed that through my faith, I don’t have to worry about issues like this – not because they can’t happen, but because God works all things for the good of those who believe in Him. I think the best thing I can do for this family is not quibble or debate any more, but to pray for them, and remain grateful for that which I do have in my life, even if it’s purpose is painful since it makes me better.

Do you have a gratitude list that you need to write up to combat the ugly that’s going on all over? Share what you’re grateful for below!