Things for which I'm thankful this Thanksgiving 2010

For this year, a list of things for which I’m thankful – in no particular order –

I am thankful for the health I have – the gift of senses – sight and hearing and touch and smell and taste – and the ability to feel emotions – compassion and love and joy and happiness – and even sadness and hurt and guilt and shame (for from these, too, I learn things if I’m willing to listen).

I’m thankful for smiles from checkers at the grocery store and the stories that patients share with me.

I’m thankful for the unconditional love of my family who I think sometimes could only love me unconditionally.

I’m thankful for the work I get to do and the co-workers with whom I get to work – sometimes they confuse me and annoy me and disappoint me and even hurt me (and yes, you can be hurt without your permission), but other times they cheer me up, the listen, they encourage me, they teach me, they make me smile, they share with me, they care, and I think, in their own way, some of them love me (not unconditionally, but inasmuch as is appropriate among co-workers).

I’m thankful for the gifts that God has given me – His Mercy, His Love, His Grace, His Charity. Goodness knows I rely on all of these in abundance.

I’m thankful for friends God has placed about me – some who – sometimes it seems – out of nowhere surprise me with a call or a letter or a smile or they just pop into a memory and offer me wonderful insight or an escape to some distant time of different hopes and dreams.

I’m thankful for this little place I call “home”.

I’m thankful for raindrops and snowflakes and mud and sunshine and rakes and brakes and streams and ponds and rivulets and lakes and oceans and swimming pools and running shoes.

I’m thankful for steering wheels.

I’m thankful for the understanding of people who see with a clarity of soul beyond the pale and veneer and for the depth of wisdom of human nature they possess and share.

I’m thankful for wood and stud-finders and laughter and TVs and computers and antennas and radios.

I’m thankful for pants and pens that write and pocketbooks and pencils and teacups and pencil sharpeners.

I’m thankful for chairs and pliers and spoons and stable tables and forks and nails and knobs and picnic blankets – that all do what they’re supposed to …

I’m thankful for dogs and fish and marbles and to a lesser degree cats (only because they make some people happy).

I’m thankful for the warmth of blankets on a cold night, fans when it is hot, good books and the ability to read, and electricity.

I’m thankful for the people that help me when I need it and I’m thankful for those who accept my help when I’m able to lend a hand.

I’m thankful for many, many, many, many things I all too often take for granted.

I’m thankful for a wonderful life that God has given me for which all too often it may appear I am something less than thankful.

This day of Thanksgiving is a miraculous day to give thanks to God – and this day is a gift unlike any other, Thank You, God!