Top 10 Things I’m Thankful For
Fall is the season of gratitude. We look back on our year so far and reflect how far we’ve come, what we’ve gained, and how thankful we are for making it to another bountiful harvest.
This past year has been particularly hard, in the height of the pandemic, but I am very grateful nonetheless. We’ve moved, changed the kids’ schools twice, juggled finances, and wrestled with a host of other life stresses, but still I’ve tried my best to find silver linings. Here’s my 2021 list.
What’s yours?
Seasons
I love watching nature’s life cycle year after year. But now, during midlife, I see much of human life mirror nature’s cycles through seasons:
Spring of birth and promise
Summer of youth and adolescence
Autumn, midlife’s big burst of color, vibrance, and proof we’re not done yet
And winter, our final act of peace, beauty, and return to our soul’s origin.
Even on a micro level with seasons in a monthly, weekly, and daily cycle, I see the parallels between my life and the life of a flower, a plant, or a tree. It’s beautiful. It’s painful. It’s part of the process.
I’m just thankful to be here as a witness year after year, season after season.
2. Good Food
In my next life, I want to be a food critic - except the one that gets to eat all the food, and gains none of the weight (or writes any of the articles).
This year I haven’t gotten to try quite as many dine-out restaurants as I’d like, but the few I’ve been able to visit sure have made some otherwise exhausting days feel a little more tolerable.
Food is something my husband and I enjoy sharing together. It’s something that no matter what mood we might be in when we arrive, it always feels better after we’ve shared a good meal.
“Laughter is brightest in the place where food is good.”
3. Library
“I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.”
When people talk about libraries going extinct, I start to panic and double down on making my weekly visits. With each of my children I’ve made it a regular outing and bonding time to visit the library. We’ve explored the latest displays, read for hours, and enjoyed the usually free child-friendly activities too many times to count. And it’s hard to imagine a world with everything going digital in my lifetime.
The thought of losing relationships with librarians, fellow bookworms, and other moms and kiddos is sad. Some of my closest friends have been made at a library or book fair, so until that digital-day comes to pass, I’d rather invest my time and efforts to support our libraries as much as possible.
4. National and State Parks
When I was growing up my mom and stepdad took my sister and I on a lot of vacations. We went to places like Disney World, Niagra Falls, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and the Royal Gorge. But some of my fondest memories are the ones that were surrounded by nature - cities and styles change, but nature - when left to it’s own device - only grows more beautiful and divine with age.
My husband and I have been determined to take our kids throughout the U.S. to see as many state and national parks so that they can see the beauty beyond their screens and digital worlds. So far, they’ve loved Arches, Canyonlands, the Grand Canyon, Black Canyon of Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, and countless other state parks, and we’ve felt fortunate to afford such an opportunity.
Camping is cheaper than hotels and the tight quarters often brings us closer together in the end. I’m grateful these beautiful parks even exist and haven’t been sold out to the highest bidder. At least not yet…
“National Parks are the best idea we’ve ever had. Absolutely America, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.”
5. Great Neighbors
I grew up in the Midwest where good neighbors were abound. I loved the insulated security of always knowing my neighbor - or fellow Midwesterner - had my back. Since I’ve moved to and from other metros like Boston, Los Angeles, Nashville, Denver, and Steamboat Springs, I’ve met the best and worst of neighborly neighbors.
Most recently, I’ve met the best of the best neighbor-wise. Our little ‘hood of community parties and chatting over the fence-line brings so many positive vibes, I can’t imagine living anywhere else while we’re raising our kiddos. Finding good neighbors can be hard, but we’re so grateful for ours. Now if we can just convince them to stay for at least another 2-3 decades…
“A good neighbor, a good morning.”
6. Family & Friends
I know it’s cliche, but in the spirit of this past COVID-crazy year, I’m so grateful to have mine alive, healthy, and a part of my life.
During midlife, the clock of life’s inevitable end is ticking in the back of my mind. Anyone can go at any minute and I don’t want to waste a minute of my time focusing on the negatives or past hardships…
“You do not find the happy life, you make it.”
Camilla Eyring Kimball
7. Instacart, Amazon, & Delivery Folks
This past year has definitely been a challenge for everyone, but when I think about those who’ve been affected most, I think of our delivery service men and women. How quick has their workload doubled or even tripled in size? How impatient have we all become in demanding our goods now and not a minute later?
Every time I order something from Amazon or the grocery store or local dairy service, or mail something through UPS, FedEx, or USPS, I do my best to be the most gracious and compassionate to these people as they’ve become the backbone of our lives. They’ve kept our porches and mailboxes stocked at all times and with little complaint anytime I’ve talked to them. And with the holidays around the corner, the spirit of giving feels more necessary to first responders beyond the medical and healthcare industries. Especially the ones some of us have never met but are rewarded daily by their hard work…
“The flaw in our character is our insistence on separating blue-collar jobs from white-collar jobs, and encouraging one form of education over another. ”
8. My dogs
My biggest regret is not adopting a dog in my life sooner. Since we picked up Copley (my black and white, irregular coated Portugese Water Dog), my love has overflowed daily and I’ve been rewarded no matter how many pounds I’ve lost or gained, tears I’ve shed, or meltdowns I’ve had. She’s been my bestest, most compassionate, and forgiving friend.
When Copley turned 2 years old, I had this epiphany that someday I’d have to let her cross that Rainbow Bridge without me. So, I panicked and this past January I got a back-up dog, Bashor, our half Standard Poodle, half German Short Hair.
Now, as I’ve told my husband, our family is full with our kiddos and pups and while one day they’ll all have to leave the nest, a new furry one (or two or three) will always be in our budget.
Copley & Bashor on a hike near Great Sand Dunes National Park (May 2021)
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault really.”
9. Cannabis
I’ve shared in other posts how anxiety has been something I’ve struggled with before and during midlife. And while therapy has been helpful, I haven’t felt comfortable incorporating prescription meds for episodes I have occasionally - not day-in day-out.
That said, medicinal alternatives like cannabis (Mary’s Medicinals specifically), have been my saving grace. They’ve helped me with migraines, insomnia, and anxiety I couldn’t handle without some sort of relief, and with the side effects of many pharmaceuticals, cannabis has hands down harmed me (and my psyche) far less than the risk of taking prescription ones.
I’m not here to promote or defend cannabis. But I am very thankful it’s been legalized and made available in my state. Hopefully, soon it will be federally legalized too.
10. Bingo
Tera’s big Bingo win October 8th, 2021
Life is full of simple pleasures, and most recently, mine was winning during a round of Bingo. I’m thankful that I was able to return to Illinois to visit family and friends, I’m thankful that I was able to introduce my kiddo to some Midwestern pleasures, and yes, I’m thankful for a couple of loving ladies who willingly took me out to play for an evening out. Winning was definitely a bonus, but just the experience gave me all the warm fuzzies (and permission to laugh at myself and my giddiness after winning).
“Don’t make me use my Bingo voice.”
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