I'm grateful for so many things - Here's a week of them.

I'm declaring this a week of being grateful, because I really am grateful for a lot of things.  I'll start my list now, and continue it all week. 

I'm grateful for...

... my comfy couch.

... getting 8 hours of sleep every night.

... my daughter's relationships with one another.  They are so beautiful and sweet together.

... having enough money for the things we need.  Sometimes it seems like we're struggling, but then I think about how much we have, and there's no way I couldn't feel satisfied by our life.

... the fact that I don't have to work at a job I hate.  I spent my youth telemarketing.  It was the only job I could easily get and make enough money to pay my rent.  It was also absolutely demoralizing and humiliating to sit down at my cubical every day, preparing to be screamed at, insulted and harassed, simply because I needed to make a living.  I don't think about that time of my life very often, but I am totally grateful that I can buy groceries and pay my mortgage and stay at home with my girls, without having to be beaten up on a daily basis.

... the employees at Trader Joes.  The TJs in my neighborhood is staffed with the most beautiful, friendly, encouraging and diverse group of people.  I don't always take the time to notice them, but they really make my day better, every time I go grocery shopping.  Cheers to dreadlocked guy who laughs so loud you can hear it at any part of the store and who tells my girls they're amazing every time he sees them.  Cheers to the tattooed mohawk girl with the pretty smile who actually made me exclaim, "Oh my god, you're so cute," even though she's a stranger.  Cheers to the old man who helps Scouty find Iceberg the Penguin, to the manager with the glasses who knows my name, to the flamboyant, blonde guy who sweeps his hands to the side and says, "After you, my dear," when we almost collide with him in the dried fruit aisle.  Seriously, you guys make my day.

... the complete rainbow I saw on my way home, last night.

... my memories of getting to spent TWO weeks in The Outer Banks, this year.

... old friends who have pulled more shenanigans with me than is allowable by law.

... my body, for its bigness, its strength and that it gets me through every day with plenty of energy to spare.

... all the musicians who continually make me feel like I'm not alone, in the world, and who have gotten me through everything tough in my life.  I'm talking to you, Elliott Smith, Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett, Conor Oberst, David Bowie, Bono, Robert Smith, Frank Black, Morrisey etc.

... my amazing LGBT friends.  In fact, I'm grateful that the world is full of so many different people who make so many different choices in their lives, and mostly that we are all the same.  We're all misfits who just want to love and be loved.  I am heartbreakingly grateful that, although you don't always get what you need from the world, we have been able to make a good world for ourselves and for each other where we belong no matter what the rest of the world has told us about ourselves.  I'm so proud of you for how loving, creative and amazing you are, all the time, no matter what. You've brought so much color, fun and love to my life and the life of my children.  Thank you for being you and for belonging to me.

... my juicer.

... winter squash.  I had my first roasted Kabocha of the season last night and oh my god.

... halloween, and my big party plans.

... cooler fall temperatures.

... nap time.  Oh, nap time...

... movie night.

... every time I'm able to make a brave choice, even when I feel small and scared and like the world is a mean place.


What are you grateful for?  Come back tomorrow for more of my list.