31 Gratitudes at the End of an Infamous Year

I’ve been thinking recently about gratitude. In particular, I’ve been pondering what gratitude feels like, how we express it, what it means to be grateful. Initially, I planned to write some profound thoughts. In a year absolutely packed with grief, sorrow, anxiety, and hope, thoughts are plentiful, if not actually profound. The ability to write them down is oddly absent. As such, in place of those pithy thoughts, I have made a list (who doesn’t love a list?!). 

I am filled with joyous gratitude for:

  1. My family and friends, biological and found
  2. Healthcare workers in all their various and lovely forms
  3. Butter toffee cashews
  4. High-top converse
  5. My 90-something neighbors
  6. Being able to compliment others
  7. Sunny days, warm and cold
  8. Hugs
  9. Fall leaves
  10. Spring blooms
  11. Dogs
  12. Cats
  13. Richard Armitage’s voice
  14. The rest of Richard Armitage
  15. Whoever wrote Hot Frosty
  16. Time spent beside a crackling fire
  17. Laughing until my sides hurt and my eyes are wet
  18. Walking 
  19. Noah Kahan
  20. Acorns
  21. Hummingbirds
  22. Corny tshirts
  23. Yoga with Adriene
  24. Crochet
  25. Community
  26. The coffee shop
  27. Writers
  28. Books
  29. Homemade cookies
  30. The neighborhood fox 
  31. Homemade hot cocoa with fresh whipped cream

What’s on your list?

Much love.

31 Gratitudes at the End of an Infamous Year

2 thoughts on “31 Gratitudes at the End of an Infamous Year”

  1. Crescent's avatar Crescent says:

    oh, I just love this list, Deb. I’m currently in a transitional care facility after having shattered my leg. I am now trying out a wholly reconstructed hip and femur. (I’m literally on my last leg 😂😂) I’m doing well in recovery. I am walking—haltingly—with a walker, the future somewhat unknown. It all depends on how I heal. But…so many beautiful moments have come from this life-changing event. Too many to recount here. They involve the beauty of friends, family, and strangers, and the quietness that descends like a blanket around our hearts as fear arcs towards acceptance, and peace reveals itself in glimpses and whispers. I love your list.

    Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.