The Annual Gratitude List

by Annette Dashofy

Let’s face it. Some years it’s easier to be grateful than others. With the economy being in a sad state and unemployment raging, a lot of us have to stretch to find the things we’re thankful for. But I think these are the times we need to keep our eye on the good stuff in our lives, if only to maintain our sanity.

I’ll be asking you all to make a list of what you’re grateful for at the end of this blog, so start thinking about it. I’m giving you a head start so you’ll know how to answer the question tomorrow when we sit down to our turkey dinners.

Okay, I’ll begin.

I’m grateful that I did not have to spend a lot of time visiting family and/or friends in the hospital this year, or at funeral homes. That’s a first in a very long time.

I’m grateful that my husband still has his job (knock wood and crossing fingers for 2010)

I’m grateful that my 89-year-old mom is doing fabulously well and still able to live in her own.

I’m grateful that the Pennwriters Conference that I coordinated went off smashingly well, and I’m even more grateful that I don’t ever have to do it again!

I’m grateful that I’ve sold a couple of magazine articles and placed a couple of short stories this year.

I’m grateful for my incredible yoga students.

I’m grateful for a healthy cat, even when her “singing” keeps me up at night.

I’m grateful for food on the table, a roof over my head, and a working furnace on cold days (and functioning whole-house air conditioning in the sweltering summer heat).

I’m grateful for my family, friends, and my writing community. And I’m grateful for my fellow Working Stiffs.

Now it’s your turn. On this day before Thanksgiving, what are you grateful for?