What I'm thankful for

This is by far my favorite time of year. I love the chill in the air, the leaves and the sounds they bring into the world, the height of the sun so it slips through the trees, the cloudy days, even the rain. It's been a favorite of mine since Ohio, with the beautiful colors and smells of first fires. I've particularly enjoyed dog walking these past few weeks. It's afforded me plenty of time to think and reflect.

If you're one who marks life by events or memories, then you may find yourself thinking today about the year since last Thanksgiving eve. Where were you and what were you thinking about, experiencing? laughing about? What has the past year brought to you? I've given that quite a bit of thought, and want to share what I am thankful for today.

It's been a tough year for so many of us...so many Americans and for so many globally. I am thankful that I am alive, well, healthy, happy and loved.
I am thankful that I am employed and able to stay afloat.
I am thankful that I have the love of my family and friends, at home and elsewhere.
I am thankful to be a mother, the greatest joy of all.

I am thankful to be a friend and to have wonderful friends in my life. I have to take a moment to expand here, because, this year has been huge for me relating to friends. My friendships this past year have taught me a great deal. I learned humility and witnessed grace from one dear friend, learned about faith and hope from another who found a rainbow at the very bottom of the well, learned acceptance and patience (an ongoing journey for me) from my fur-covered friends. I've seen the beauty of my mother's friends as they've grown up together, and watched my daughters' friends moving through transformations from teens to adults.

Life is good. I am grateful. I am thankful.
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A beautiful day

Today was perfection. I don't know how else to describe it. There was not a cloud in sight. The air had a slight chill, but the wind was warm and the sun even more so. I had on a light cotton long sleeved t-shirt and was perfectly comfortable. And, I mean perfectly comfortable. I had to stop myself and relish the feeling. I wasn't remotely warm, nor was I remotely cool. I was comfortable. When's the last time any of us has felt that? I had to really think to recall the few times I can remember a day like this. The one none of us will forget is permanently etched in our memories. Tuesday, September 11, 2001 was a day like today. The sky was blue as is imaginable. It was in Cincinnati, and it was in New York. I will never forget the color of the blue sky that day. Today reminded me of that day. But, the difference...today I was not full of fear and sadness. Today, my mind was full of comfort. My heart was full of tidings of comfort and joy...at least now I understand what that familiar carol is about.

I decided to celebrate today's perfection. I took my dogs along with sweet Silvie (a pit bull, boxer mix I walk and am just crazy about!)to Point Isabel. This has got to be one of the best and greatest off-leash dog parks in the nation. It wraps around the Bay and winds around 23 acres. The three dogs tolerate one another in the car only because they each know what's waiting for them when we get there. They swim and play and chase balls. They run and tumble and chase one another. There are literally hundreds of dogs there each day, off leash. You see dogs of every shape and size, mutts and show pedigrees...each with a smile larger than its head with tongues and tails wagging. It's a beautiful place to be comfortable. I found joy there today, and that made my day perfection.

Wag more. Bark less.