A few events of this past week reminded me of the importance of gratitude in my life. So, this morning’s post is just an exercise to remind myself of a few of things that I’m thankful for. They aren’written in any particular order other than just that which fell out of my fingers first. My goal is to write fifty things that I’m thankful for. My hope is that while you read this list you’ll find your own reasons to be thankful and that my list may bring some joy and hope to your day.

1. My dog, Buddy and all the dogs before him who’ve cared for me
2. My siblings
3. Nieces and nephews and their partners
4. My growing crew of great-nieces and nephews
5. A huge collection of cousins and their families
6. The aunts and uncles still here and those who’ve walked on
7. The memories of my parents and Grandma
8. The stories and connections that come with being part of a big family
9. The friends that I’ve laughed and cried with over the past half-century
10. Walking
11. Running too
12. The gifts of my senses
13. The creatures that cross my path and share their lives with me even if just for a moment
14. The trees
15. The hills
16. The water
17. Breathing the air
18. The deep strain of trying to maintain and build my muscles
19. Writing
20. Playing with art supplies, getting all covered in paint or clay or whatever and that moment of being wowed by what came out of my hands
21. Music
22. Singng
23. Quiet and solitude
24. Bird song
25. Soft blankets on my bed
26. Warm summers, cold winters, and all the time between
27. A job that I enjoy
28. Time to not be working
29. A body that works for me
30. The hard lessons learned over the years that have created me
31. The joy filled moments of sunshine and laughter
32. Walks through the cemetery to remind me where I come from
33. Watching the garden grow
34. The food I eat
35. A good book to read
36. The many miles I’ve put on my showes and the stories in those miles
37. Sweet and savory treats
38. The kids I work with and all they teach me
39. The rocks along the shore that listen to my prayers
40. The trees that show me the sky
41. The sky that reminds me who I am
42. The earth that gives me a home and holds me close
43. The future that is a gift to be
44. The now that reminds me
45. The past that taught me
46. My body
47. My being
48. Dreams
49. Moments of inspiration and ideas
50. Creative space

Those are my bits of gratitude for today. I hope that you might find yours as well. Life has its ups and downs, but there is so much good if we can find it. Sending you strenght and peace to help find your joy.