My list

During our Thanksgiving lunch, my little cousin Charlotte constructed a "Thankful Tree." She had collected some little branches off of a tree, put them in a pot, and cut out leaves out of some kind of thin colored foam. There were Sharpies to write what you were thankful for onto your leaf and then ornament hangers so you could hang your leaf on the tree. I thought I would make a list here of what I am thankful for.

1. My family, each and every one of you. From my husband to my second and third cousins. Each of you brings a unique and wonderful dynamic to my life. I love you all.
2. My friends. I don't see you all near enough. Some I don't see at all, but I stalk you on Facebook, Myspace, or your blog so I feel I am connected to you! =) Again, each of you bring a different perspective, a different point of view to my life. I treasure you all.
3. My job. I complain and I have bad days, but I truly love what I do. AND I have a job. That is saying a lot these days. Plus, I have great co-workers who make my job easier and give lots of support.
4. My puppies. Unconditional love and always happy to see me. What more can you ask for? My house would be a lot quieter and lonelier without Bailey and Scruff.
5. Financial security. Enough said! I've got all I need and then some. I've very lucky!
6. Coffee and Dr. Pepper. They help me get through the day. I am undoubtedly grateful to their creators.
7. Health. For me and for my family. I pray that this continues.
8. Children. Not my own, obviously. Children bring an unbiased opinion to our world. They have not yet been made cynical and cryptic by our world. I love their unconditional faith that things will get better and things will work out. Plus, they make me laugh and who doesn't love to do that?
9. Love. Just the feeling. And the ability to feel this feeling. Is there anything better? I love to love...everything!
10. I couldn't leave the list with just 9 things. It felt incomplete. So I have to think of one more thing. And that will be warmth. I hate to be cold. I hate the feeling of cold. It doesn't make since to me in the least. So I am thankful that I can feel warm when and where I choose to feel it. I hate the thought that some people have no choice but to be cold. Something needs to be done about that!

That is my list. There are lots of other things I could list, but I actually feel bad for being thankful for insignificant things. Because that makes me selfish. Too many people don't have very much to be thankful for. I hate that. I really really do.