For the fact that when I wanted some coffee tonight, it did not matter to me that I would have to walk to Starbucks because Kevin had the car. It wasn’t across the street, it wasn’t miles away, but it was a decently long walk at night and in the cold. And I didn’t think twice about putting on my shoes and heading out. Three years ago, I would have simply given up on the idea of coffee because the idea of walking that far would have been enough to keep my ass on the couch. I am not thin, I am not a perfect WLS patient. I still eat candy cane Joe-Joe’s and macaroni & cheese and drink Diet Coke, but I am stronger and more fit and healthier than I was when I was 18, and for that, I will always be thankful.
For the fact that I had a tiny dog with ridiculous ears in a silly sweater to go with me on that walk. She is a 12 pound bundle of awesomesauce who loves us beyond reason and is able to cheer us up just by leaping into our arms and wagging her tail so hard that we’re afraid her butt might fly off. Sophie is the best thing to have happened to us this year, and sometimes I think we wished her into existence because she so perfectly fits what we wanted in a dog. Whatever else I might do with my life, I know that I did one very good thing by saving this sweet little dog from the shelter, and for that I am thankful.
For the fact that my family has been blessed with incredible luck when it comes to health problems this year. We’ve had two major cancer scares this year, and both of them involved major surgery for people we care about. We discovered just how uncomfortable hospital waiting rooms are, but tumors were removed and found to be benign and people are recovering and oh my god, 2009 you suck. I am thankful, thankful, thankful that there are surgeons and hospitals and medical discoveries that have saved the people we love.
For the fact that I married a man who makes me laugh pretty much every day, a man who understands my need to have alone time and doesn’t get offended when I kick him out of the house so I can have that alone time. In our current circle of friends, we’re the ones who have been together the longest, and I am absurdly proud of the fact that we like each other just as much as the newlyweds like each other. It’s kind of fun being the example of a good relationship, and I am ever so thankful for the fact that we found each other.
For the fact that I have gotten to spend the last six months living in the same city as my best friend for the first time in over 10 years. Getting to reconnect with her and send my dog to her house for playdates and just getting to pop over to each other’s house has been such a gift. Not many people can say they’ve been friends with someone for 26 years, and even fewer are able to have friendships as easy and nurturing and lasting as ours. I’m so very thankful that we ended up in the same Girl Scout troop way back when we were sassy 8 year olds.
For the fact that Kevin and I are both gainfully employed, at jobs that allow us to have hobbies and personal lives and pursue degrees. We have great benefits and good bosses and a commute that is annoying at times but tolerable for the most part. It is a blessing that we’ve both survived this economic downturn, with him working for a defense contractor and me working for a tiny biotech firm, and I am thankful every time I pay a bill that I have the ability to do so.
For the fact that life is very, very good for me right now. I have an apartment I love coming home to, in a neighborhood that is a weird little slice of middle America in San Diego. I have a circle of friends that entertains me and supports me and makes me happy to be a part of them. I am healthy, I am loved, and most of all, I am thankful.
(Also, my husband just walked in the room and handed me a bag of Muscat gummies. SO THANKFUL!)
