With Thanksgiving almost upon us, there are several things that I’m especially thankful for that I’d like to mention. They seem basic, but basic things are often the most important and can often go unrecognized in our busy day-to-day lives.
I’m thankful for clean water that comes from a tap, and the food that I can purchase from the store up the street. I have a car that I can drive there in order to get it, and a home to return to afterwards. There’s a roof over my head when it rains, and warm clothes in the closet.
I’m thankful for a wonderful husband and a strong marriage, and two rescued cats who are sweet, funny, loving and occasionally scrappy. (Though I often wonder if they are thankful for each other! I like to think they are.) I’m grateful for my family.
I’m grateful for the good health of myself and my loved ones. This includes the good news of my brother’s most recent check-up, which indicates that he remains free of cancer.
I’m thankful for the old friends I’ve reconnected with this year, and the new friends I’ve made. You know who you are.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to pursue my chosen work, which is making art. I would say that it chose me (most artists would admit this) since I’ve wanted to be an artist ever since I was very young. It’s not an easy career to develop, but it’s what I enjoy doing most, and I’m glad to have time in which to do just that.
It seems that within the past couple of years I’ve become much more conscious of the world’s troubles and unfairness, and the randomness of misfortune. Things don’t always turn out the way we expect them to, or the way we think they should. When bad things happen we have to cope and adapt the best we can, or we run the risk of ruining or otherwise wasting the time we have. Time can seem fleeting, and the way we spend it is so important. Being kind and helpful costs us nothing, and we could all use a little help from each other. I believe in spending my time to make things better.
Happy Thanksgiving!
