Another year, another November tradition where I list all I’m thankful for. During the past year, the thought has crossed my mind to jot down things I could use here. If I did, writing this column would be a breeze. But that never, ever happens. And so here we go…
I’m thankful my mom is 91 years old and still thinks life is worth living.
For the past few years, I feel like change has been coming toward me at lightning speed. I’m thankful I’m now ok with that. It isn’t such a shock anymore, and I’m comfortable living through it. At least a little bit.
I’m thankful for Vanilla soft serve, in a cone, with chocolate sprinkles.
I’m thankful for bonfires in our backyard.
I’m thankful for my paper planner. I started using one this year after about 8 years of going fully digital.
I’m thankful for how happy people are when I give them tomatoes or cucumbers from my garden. (And of course, I’m thankful Toni Farmer has helped me be able to do that. Watch us on Facebook in “The Goal is to Become a Gardener”!)
And on that note, I’m thankful 85,000 people watched each episode of our gardening series. And several businesses supported the series this year by taking an ad spot. Grateful to them.
And on THAT note, the website you may be reading this on or the magazine you’re holding or our event you came to – each is possible because of the incredible business community in South Jersey. We have partners who have been with us for 20+ years. How do you properly thank people who make it possible to do work you love and think is important? Not sure I can. But if you have supported us at any time: sending a heartfelt thank you.
My wedding band is a friendship ring my dad gave to my mom when they were dating. Two things I’m thankful for: This beautiful ring with their initials engraved on the inside. And how much my dad loved my mom.
For every event I went to this year, I wore a dress from my closet. Sometimes I reached way into the back. And sometimes, I would be asked where my dress was from and I would say, “My closet!” I’m thankful I was able to do that for the whole year.
I’m thankful I’m still reading memoirs. You learn so much about what is possible when you hear other people’s stories.
I’m thankful we live so close to a farmers’ market.
I’m thankful Joe and I were invited to 2 beautiful weddings this year. One was in Hawaii and as you can imagine, the setting was stunning, but what made it extra special were the special friends who made the trip to get there. There was this warmth all through the night, well after the sun had set.
Still thankful for pancakes. Plain.
Also still thankful for my heated blanket. I use it every night – summer and winter.
I’m thankful Joe and I went to the Grand Canyon this year. Neither of us had ever been there before, so for our first view of the canyon, we woke up at 4 am, drove about 45 mins and walked along a path in the dark to get to a spot where we could watch the sun rise over the canyon. It was magical.
I’m thankful Joe doesn’t mind when I take a million pictures to post on Instagram. I’m also thankful that when I ask if it’s ok to post a picture with him in it, he always says, “I really don’t care.”
I’m thankful for our family group text.
I’m thankful Joe and I have started going out every Friday night and posting a pic on Instagram. I write “Friday Night Date Night” and now I have this whole record of nights we’ve gone out. I also get a kick out of people telling me they look forward to seeing where we go.
I’m thankful for the many orgs in South Jersey that actively support and help women in business. (Alice Paul Center, NAWBO & Impact 100, I’m looking at you.)
It certainly is wonderful when I write this list and all there is to be thankful for comes rushing through my brain. Try it. And I know you didn’t even consider trying it when you just read that, but really, try it. You might find that you have more joy in your life than you realize. Just take a minute to feel it. And say thanks.
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