being thankful...

...it's a difficult proposition, almost like finding a man who can walk the fine line between confidence and cockiness... being thankful has to involve a modicum of restraint, lest we come off as being braggarts, overly excited about our achievements and ready/willing to push them into everyone else's face under the guise of thankfulness.

Things I am thankful for (in no particular order):

1. full cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top
2. old friendships that withstand the test of time
3. microwaves
4. good books
5. fire places
6. crunchy leaves
7. red jello
8. mud between your toes
9. babies
10. red
11. mittens and scarves and hats
12. laughter
13. full bellies
14. time with friends and family
15. the same old stories
16. the means and ability to travel and explore the world
17. penguins
18. kidneys
19. fresh flowers
20. hand-me-downs
21. good food
22. a nice bottle of wine
23. a tableful of friends
24. smiles
25. a good cry
26. being with my family
27. euchre
28. safe passage
29. hugs and kisses
30. apple, peaches, pumpkin pie
31. merry-go-rounds
32. music
33. cellos
34. swingsets
35. jean jackets
36. dresses
37. cymbals
38. self-adhesive stamps
39. picket fences
40. pets
41. thunderstorms
42. the national weather service
43. national public radio
44. teachers
45. churches
46. spaghetti-os with meatballs
47. corned beef hash
48. all the women in my life
49. the boys
50. MLK day weekend
51. holidays
52. school days
53. Wednesdays
54. sleeping in
55. down comforters
56. surrogate families
57. secret crushes
58. cranberries
59. double stuff oreos
60. bells


There are many more things too. Life's so much prettier when you stop to think about the simple things you wouldn't want to do without...