I like to spend the few days before Thanksgiving thinking about the little things I’m grateful for, and the things I’m looking forward to eating. There are a lot of big things I’m thankful for, too. In the wake of Ferguson, I’m especially grateful that I don’t worry about my children’s safety when they leave the house. Ebola reminds me how privileged we are to live in a country with exceptional healthcare. I’m grateful for my family, my health, and the peace I experience in my home and community.
That’s not to say that the little things aren’t important, too. In the few chaotic days of preparations and packing, it brightens my mood to think of the little pleasures I sometimes take for granted that make my life so much better.
10 Little Things I’m Thankful For
1. My kindle. If you’d told me in high school that I’d someday be able to download any book I wanted to read onto an e-tablet, 24 hours a day, in just seconds, I would have flipped out like an Ellen Degeneres fan getting a surprise visit from Ellen.
2. My husband’s incredible taste in wine, and corresponding collection. I love Greg enjoys researching wine, takes notice of my tastes, and makes sure there was always a selection of bottles on hand that I’d enjoy. Sometimes I wish I had more time to enjoy a glass in quiet with the aforementioned kindle… but an excellent glass is always waiting when the time is right.
3. The train station near our house. Not because I ride the train often (although it’s wonderful when I can take it to Boston and not worry about having a second glass of wine or finding parking!), but because my children derive so much joy from watching and hearing the trains.
4. Our large hot water tank that ensures I never take a cold shower.
5. Online shopping. Yes, I know it creates extra cardboard and packaging… but what bliss to sit in front of a computer for less time than it takes to drive to the mall and have your items delivered right to your door? I’m not sure how I would have survived parenting without it!
6. Streaming media. This goes along with the kindle idea – but the easy accessibility of media can be pretty fantastic. When I was a kid, we had to wait until Sesame Street was on, and we got to see all the commercials. Now, I can choose exactly what show my kids watch, when they watch it, and know it’s advertisement free. They won’t miss the first fifteen minutes and end up watching something else just because we’re home from the library late, but I wanted time to make dinner alone!
7. My Vitamix. I hesitate to call this a “little thing” because I’m so in love with it, it’s almost scary. I love that I can throw in a raw beet and end up with a smoothie that’s, well, smooth. It makes healthy dressings and sauces incredibly easy, purees roasted pumpkin to make the creamiest pumpkin butter, and can turn coconut milk and cacao powder into the healthiest hot chocolate my kids will ever drink. I love that thing. I give thanks for it.
8. Burritos. This is one the healthiest meals that my kids and I both love. I’m grateful that we can throw beans, rice, salsa and guacamole on tortillas and call it a day. Burritos, I love you. You are the new spaghetti-os.
9. Twitter. Because on those days you feel crazy, you can find good company or good contrast. Whatever you crave.
10. The delay on my dishwasher. Because I know I’m going to forget to start it when I leave the room in search of extra water glasses. (They multiply. Usually near the computer. Usually my fault. I can see two right now.) I can set it to run in 2 hours, and if I make it back with the water glasses by then, great! If I don’t, we’ll still have clean dishes for dinner. SWEET.
Little thoughts like these have been lifting my spirits as I think about how easy my life really is when I take advantage of the technology and resources around me.
Also, I know there’s pie in my near future… and anticipation is half the fun 🙂