Today of course is, "What are you grateful for?" The list for most folks is typical: my family, my health, my job. If it's not too far beyond the pale, nevertheless, my list, in no particular order:
1. I'm grateful any day I wake up and the world doesn't spin. Sufferers of vertigo know exactly what I mean. For a control freak like me, nothing is worse for making a person feel miserable and out-of-control. Take it from me. If you don't suffer from vertigo, be grateful.
2. I'm grateful for people at my job -- co-workers, customers -- who care, offer their friendship, their companionship, and allow me to care for them. I'm lucky to have them and even though, like most of us, I complain about my job, and sometimes, my customers and co-workers, not a day goes by that I don't feel warmed by at least one moment, one exchange sometime during the day. And I know a lot of people can't say that; I'm grateful that I honestly can.
3. My cat, the ever-handsome, ever-sweet, ever-mischievous Simba. During a very black, but mercifully brief time a year ago, it seemed for awhile that Simba was the only one who loved me. (And, boy, am I grateful that that time was brief; I can't imagine feeling that misunderstood, disrespected, unappreciated and abused all the time). But I am fortunate to have an affectionate kitty who licks my face and literally hugs me. Yes, I'm lucky!
4. Even though she frequently annoys the crap out of me, I'm grateful to have my mother still alive and kickin' at age 75. She's my role model for growing old, if not gracefully, at least with spunk, spirit, and defiance. My mother follows the (Eight Is Enough TV family) Bradford formula of living: shoot from the hip, (often with highly amusing results) and then (maybe) say you're sorry later. She's lost 166 lbs. since 2008, gotten totally off diabetes and blood pressure meds; she walks, to date, 25 minutes a day on the treadmill (and adding every week), and she reads voraciously, works very hard at nurturing connections with her friends. Dreading the iron of her mind rusting into dementia, Mother deliberately watches crime shows and reads subject matter specifically designed to keep that mind active. She frequently opines that even though a person may be old in years, "they don't have to act old," and believe me, she saves much of her choicest disdain for those who "act old". But, Mother, we can't all wear Old Navy Rock Star skinny jeans in colors like purple and red -- especially when we're 75!
5. I'm grateful to live in America. The average citizen has a lot of opportunities he may not have elsewhere, the standard of living is high, and we have lots of choices. A safety net to catch us should we become the victim of bad luck or choices. Are we the best country in the world? That's in the eye of the beholder. Do some abuse the safety net? Absolutely. Are we guilty of laxness, softness, taking some benefits for granted? IMHO, damn skippy. But I've talked about that in other posts. My very vocal regard for personal responsibility stands. As does my gratitude.
6. I'm grateful for the opportunity to air my thoughts on this venue, and to know that you are reading those thoughts. Whether you agree or disagree, I'm fortunate to be able to communicate with you and know that I have been heard, by someone somewhere out there. And maybe that I've touched you or made you think. And this blog is my record, a way of saying, "Claudia was here." Having not had children, it's very important for me to leave something that will hang around awhile. Once it's on the Internet, it's forever, right?
That's my list. I hope we all, in our secret hearts, take a second or two, and really think about our list sometime today. And maybe every day. I believe what we feed, grows. I hope the good stuff in your lives continues to grow.
Good vibes to all of you,
Claudia
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