On Gratitude

Sunrise on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, photo by Cathy R Fischer

I thought this would be an easy topic; just write about the things for which I am grateful.  Well, it isn’t.  My silly, secular, passing bright, but not very deep brain, is having a rough time wrapping itself around a subject this philosophical, so I will deal with it, in no order of importance, as a list.

The Things I am Grateful For by Connie Lea Stetson

•    Rain
•    Quiet
•    Ocean
•    Sunshine
•    The Vodka Martini, very dry with two olives, please
•    My good, strong, healthy body
•    Sleeping through the night without having to pee
•    Finding Mr. Right—AKA Lee F. Stetson
•    Compassion 
•    Imagination
•    Encouragement
•    Friendships—old and new
•    Good work
•    Getting dirty
•    Laughter—giggles and guffaws
•    Having my heart broken
•    My Mom
•    My Sister
•    Time
•    Linda, Cathy, Barbara, Joe & Ingrid Fox, and Harvey & Joann
•    Intimacy
•    Dogs and cats
•    A sense of humor
•    Long hikes, mountain tops, white water, sleeping outside
•    Not peeing on my own foot when I’m out there
•    Down comforters
•    High thread-count sheets
•    Good food cooked by good friends, or cooking good food for good friends
•    Wine
•    Being able to sing harmonies
•    Dancing
•    Big social events
•    Small social events
•    Being alone
•    Body lotion
•    Permanent eyeliner
•    Abundance
•    My good common sense
•    Big warm hugs
•    Truth
•    Creation
•    The beautiful extraordinary Earth
•    Community
•    Great sex—in the past and yet to come (pun intended)
•    Having concerns outside of my own
•    George W. Bush OUT, Obama IN
•    Change
•    Loyalty
•    My home, sweet, home
•    Long yaks on the phone
•    Long yaks around a dinner table
•    Tequila
•    Income
•    Wisdom
•    Travel

Well, this list could just go on and on, so let me summarize by saying that my most profound feeling of thankfulness, is for my life itself.  That I had the good fortune to be born here, in this country, in this time, with all the bad and good things that have happened to me, and those that I’ve chosen, I am relieved to regret none of it.  It is an amazing thing to be able to look back and have understanding and forgiveness of it ALL, and to look forward with the dizzying, thrilling anticipation of it ALL. For that, I am truly, deeply grateful.