The Annual Flaunting of Gratitude

[Listen to an audio version of this blog here.]

Did anyone else just wake up and realize that it’s the end of 2021? I said that to a coworker the other day, “Can you believe it’s already the end of 2021?” As if it really is shocking that time continues to roll forward, as it always has and always will. I was just making stupid small talk, which is a redundant phrase, anyway. Most small talk is stupid. Most talk is stupid. Yet here we are, talking anyway.

I’ve made it a tradition to compile a list of things I’m thankful for every year on Thanksgiving. Quite a novel idea, right? Anyway, here are some things I’m grateful for. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it in any particular order.

1. Full moons. I like the half moons too, but the full ones are brighter and inspire a lot of weirdness.
2. Doctors and nurses and all the related people who do relevant things with and for our collective health.
3. My car, even though it screams “soccer mom,” which I am not.
4. The idea of a charcuterie board.
5. Books, for knowledge and stories; escape and returning.
6. Coffee, for obvious reasons.
7. Family, for being minimally toxic and maximally supportive.
8. Friendship, because the company…