Wednesday, November 25, 2009

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?

15 comments:

SZ said...

I too, am grateful for no funerals this year.

A rent controlled apartment, which I have 10 years now.

Spellcheck !

Wilfred Bereswill said...

I'm grateful every morning when I wake up.

I'm grateful that this year will end better than last year (hopefully).

I'm grateful for the people in my life, my wife and three awesome daughters, my colleagues, my friends, my colleagues who are friends, the Working Stiffs the writers in my community.

I'm also grateful for the people who actually read my words.

Annette said...

Will, it's always a good day when you wake up!

Joyce Tremel said...

I'm grateful for my wonderful husband--we'll be married 30(!) years in 2010. (Am I really that old???)

I'm grateful for my two perfect sons (well, I think they are, anyway).

I'm grateful for my extended family.

I'm grateful for all my writing friends. I couldn't ask for better friends.

Wilfred Bereswill said...

Congratulations, Joyce. 30 is a big number. 2010 will take my wife and I to 33 and we've been together non-stop for 38 years (high school sweethearts).

Annette said...

What Joyce didn't mention is that she got married when she was ten.

Donnell Ann Bell said...

Oh, Annette, how can I top your list. What you said! I'm grateful that my son and my daughter will be spending Thanksgiving AND Christmas with us this year. I'm grateful for our health, in spite of all these downturns, job worries and more, if you have your health, you are the richest person on earth.

I'm grateful for friends and family also, particularly my writing friends who get me ;) Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan said...

I'm grateful for my husband.

Working in the publishing industry isn't easy. Lots of times it's a disaster. Deadlines, working holidays and weekends, checks that don't arrive on time, contracts that get lost in the mail...

And mood swings! Writing something sad...Cry. Writing about a murder...well, don't go near the knives.

Some days it's a wonder my husband puts up with this. But he's good natured and even tempered and very supportive.

So I'm grateful for him!

susan meier
THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS

gina said...

I am grateful that I have a job, and that when I leave here today I won't have to come back in until Monday. It's a mixed blessing. I need the money and enjoy many aspects of the work, but right now I'm in the middle of writing that film script and I really, really, really would rather be home doing that.

I'm grateful that I survived my surgery this summer, and that I have such an interesting looking scar to show for it.

I'm grateful that my cat Taffy seems to be doing okay, even though he's old and has some health problems. I just wish he'd shut up while I'm trying to sleep.

I'm grateful for you all, my writing community, and for the opportunity this blog gives me to write something that will actually be read.

Patg said...

I'm grateful for my daughter and grandkids.
Now about spouses! Heavy sigh. Okay, here goes. I'm grateful for my estranged, to whom I've been married 45 years in 2010. We haven't lived together for 17 of those years, and we are much better friends. He still does all my computer stuff for me, and I am eternally grateful.
I feel I live a very good life, I'm grateful, and I don't look for problems.
Patg

Ayleen said...

I am grateful for you, Annette. Thanks for all the wonderful work you did to put together a great conference in 2009 and for all you do to inspire your fellow writers.

Annette said...

Aw, shucks, Ayleen. Coming from you, that's high praise indeed. The work you're doing on the 2010 conference is going to put me to shame. I can't wait.

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm grateful for my family and friends, my job, my students, my new online friends, my whole life. It's crazy-busy, but it's the best!

David Magayna said...

I'm grateful to all my early teachers that I could read the other comments and that I could write my own.

I'm super happy I met back up with my (now) wife after not seeing her for 25 years after high school. We're now married 11 years.

I'm thankful I have a wonderful, crazy family that makes holiday visits such enjoyable experiences.

I'm grateful I was able to write for Mystery News for many years and I will miss it now that it's gone.

Thanks Annette for the chance to share.

Annette said...

These are all wonderful lists. Thanks to all of you for sharing!