Thank you for a surprise call from BW. Thank you for her cheerfulness and generosity. Thank you for her new Great Pyrenees on the way—Abby’s granddaughter.

Thank you for Echo’s trainer building his confidence.

Thank you for dried sea vegetables expanding in soup.

Thank you for how smooth teeth feel after a good brush.

Thank you for when “windshield wiper” is a verb. 

Thank you for quiet mornings in the kitchen.

Thank you for a little pause from house planning to gain perspective. Thank you for caring designers. Thank you for details that make up a home. 

Thank you for self acceptance and other acceptance.

Thank you for reminders to focus on living my life as a remedy for being caught in others’ narratives.

Thank you for how living my life isn’t always about living my life. It may involve placing effort where care is needed.

Thank you for Peaches’ cuteness when she squats to pee.

Thank you for time to think about the way I treat those around me and determination to improve. Same with how I treat myself.

Thank you for childlike smiles.

Thank you for the lightened burden when self-flagellation lifts from difficult situations. 

Thank you to the universe when it steps in to correct my harsh judgements. 

Thank you for life humbling all of us. 

Thank you for stillness in the face of technology’s allure. Thank you for the enrichment of doing nothing. Thank you for moments of freedom in the analog world. 

Thank you for truth that pierces illusions. Thank you for the value of the inconspicuous and discounted. 

Thank you for love making our lives worth living and the work we do having value insofar as it furthers love.

Thank you (again) for a place to live long term. Thank you for dreams of being established and building a life with greater purpose. Thank you for the promise of stability and adventure.

Thank you for when we make where we are home.

Thank you for struggles that disintegrate our facades. 

Thank you for our roughness and gentleness. Thank you for the hurts and loves that inform our wisdom. Thank you for our genuine selves.

Thank you for those we love. Thank you for maturity, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

To be honest, it seems like my genuine gratitude could use a refresher. Since these lists feel tedious recently (or maybe it’s from being ill, or life would benefit from a reset) it could be time to step back. I don’t really know what to do. Maybe a fast for clarity is in order. In the meantime, let’s focus on living well. Please know that you are loved <3