I am Thankful For...

I Am Thankful...
-My mom and I ended every phone conversation with “I love you.”
-For an amazing, cool summer and a long autumn season, and the good sense to enjoy them.
-That I did so much of what I wanted to do when I was younger instead of listening to everyone tell me to get a real job.
-For a standing Wednesday dinner appointment with friends.
-So many aging people spend their last good years, without complaint, helping others.
-For all the people who love children, not just their own children, but all children. It is a cheap and sickly love that only cares about its own.
-For all the books and music we can own. A collection of stunning art, once available to only the very rich and powerful, is at every book & music store.
-For people who plant trees, build schools, preserve forests, give up expensive luxuries for the sake of the environment, pick up litter, drive defensively, and graciously accommodate the elderly and very young
-For everyone who has the courage not to be afraid when so many are trying to manipulate us through fear.
-For colored lights on bridges, wildflowers on the side of the road, art in public places and community fireworks.
-For people that hurry when the lines are long at the car wash.
-For the sound of geese flying, moonlight and morning stars, ice frosting, flannel and flames, warm bread, and the “world’s best chili” no matter who cooks it.
-For those would rather find a solution than fault.
-For people who turn off their cell phones in restaurants.
-For forgiveness, even when undeserved.
-When people can be concerned, and even upset, without being hateful and threatening.
-That most things really don’t matter that much. It’s mostly all small stuff. As long as we have a life, nothing is actually over.
-That the things that really do matter are so simple: health and security; relationships and love; doing something worthy with your life and chocolate chip cookies.
-For moments when we feel we are where we are supposed to be; and doing what we are supposed to do.
-That the greatest commandment is to “Love one another.” and that there is nothing at all in there about stem cells or gay marriage except what somebody wants to read into it.
-That my wife is so excellent in body and soul; and yet, is apparently, visually challenged.
-That my neighbor Jim lives out his belief in helping others though me.
-For flirts and huggers, dancers and laughers, late night talkers, mountain path walkers, beach strollers and grassy slope rollers.
-That cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs are nothing I am thankful for.
-A new friend, a waterfall in Boulder Canyon, big snows, a broken distributor cap, good luck, and the day they all came together.
-Barack Obama’s speech, Tony Bennett’s voice, Mr. Bryant’s BBQ ribs, Paul Simon’s guitar playing, Brooks Brothers shirts, Judith Jameson performing “Cry”, Claudio Arrau playing Debussy, Hemmingway’s A Moveable Feast, Nora Jones and Alicia Keyes, catching a King salmon in Alaska, and kissing Kathy in Paris.
-I can still be stupid and silly and just not care all that much.
-For Mickey the Wonder Dog, and that I’m the kind of guy who would still miss his dog.
-For glass ornaments, candle light, cinnamon, real pine needles and bark, dark chocolate, campfires, swimming in cold water, cooking eggs and bacon, driving long and far, the sounds of ice and working hard.
-For the mute button on TV, poetic justice, and a shrinking “regrets” list,
-For hot coffee and a paper waiting for me each morning, a truck that starts, a heater that works, a job I like, and that it happens every day.
-To get to know that it all goes by so quickly, but we still have time to love and be loved.
Happy Thanksgiving!