Simple Luxuries Grats

I am grateful for simple luxuries.

_______

Like:

1.      Time with dogs

2.      And cats

3.      And birds

4.      And lizards

5.      And turtles

6.      All animals

7.      Walks in the woods

8.      Water to drink

9.      Water in which to swim. In the sound

10.   And the ocean

11.   And the river

12.   And lakes

13.   And pools

14.   Water for washing dishes

15.   Water for washing clothes

16.   Friends. My girlfriends

17.   My male friends

18.   People who keep confidences

19.   That I can walk. I couldn’t for almost a year. Oh my gosh do I appreciate the ability to walk!

20.   And drive

21.   And my used Mazda that feels like it was custom made for me.

22.   Smiles.

23.   Chatting with people on line at store.

24.   Patience

25.   Plenty of food.

26.   Fresh food

27.   Organic food even

28.   That I don’t eat animals. (NOT judging anyone who does)

29.   That I can see

30.   That I play classical piano

31.   And have a piano

32.   That it is all mine and I paid for it myself

33.   That J patiently helped me to find it. It took like a year!

34.   And I even have one to use in the classroom

35.   And the kids LOVE when I play classical, like if they’re doing handwriting for a few minutes…

36.   And we sing, which they love also.

37.   And we write parodies. Curriculum-related. And life-related

38.   That I get to do “The Breathing Game” with them every morning for two minutes (mindfulness meditation).

39.   And that they love it.

40.   And that we do this after we pledge. Yes, we pledge allegiance daily.

41.   That I get to be a teacher. Although this is not a “simple thing” or easy either!

42.   In one of the greatest school districts in the world

43.   That I am good at it.

44.   And improve constantly and intend to always.

45.   That at my job I get smiles and hugs and laughter, and we recently literally jumped for joy together. Literally.

46.   That I type so incredibly quickly.

47.   Books

48.   E-books too

49.   Good breath. I used to struggle with breath. I do SO appreciate breath now!

50.   And voice. I couldn’t speak for the better part of 8 months once. Boy, do I appreciate having a voice!

51.   That I have stores nearby

52.   And a glorious park a couple of blocks away.

53.   All my animal companions. Turtles and goldfish when I was little. All my doggies and birds throughout life.

54.   Dear Summer and Jewel, my sweet happy healthy parakeets that I have now.

55.   Good foods for them. Including organic pellets, regular seeds, and fresh raw organic baby greens, which they love! They especially love kale and spinach.

56.   Although in my heart I am a nature girl, I did grow up in a city, and a large one, and am accustomed to certain conveniences. So yes, I am grateful that the Indian restaurant near me delivers.

57.   As does the Chinese restaurant.

58.   And an Italian one too.

59.   And even Thai.

60.   I am grateful for vegan restaurants in NYC.

61.   I am grateful for every animal sanctuary

62.   And every person who helps children

63.   I’m grateful for art

64.   And museums

65.   For music

66.   For Yiddish. I don’t really know it, but the little bit I know, I think is the most descriptive language.

67.   And for French. Just because I adore the sound of it. I shall budget and go back to French lessons this year. Can’t wait!

68.   For libraries.

69.   And bookstores

70.   I am very grateful for the 9 days I had in London. By myself. A year and a half ago. That I went. Planned it. Paid for it. Did it all alone. And loved it. It was the best week of my life!

71.   I am grateful for laughter

72.   And hope

73.   And every peacemaker

74.   I am grateful for Reiki

75.   And for Thich Nhat Hanh

76.   And Buddhism

77.   I am grateful to live and work in areas where there is diversity. Ethic, sexual orientation, religious, political, etc.

78.   I am grateful for the lotus.

79.   And – that I have jewelry. Shallow, but pretty simple and I do like it

80.   Celebrations

81.   Passages

82.   Generosities. Mine and others’

83.   That I can read.

84.   That my parents paid for college for me

85.   And that I was able to pay for Master’s

86.   That by some magic I always manage to get kids loving reading.

87.   Prayer

88.   My pretty feet. Yes, really.

89.   My hands. They make music and love and writings and flowers and all sorts of things.

90.   Crewel work embroidery

91.   Knitting

92.   Needlepoint

93.   Stamped cross-stitch.

94.   That my stitches are so neat; people always comment.

95.   And that I think there are two reasons. One is my willingness to rip out

96.   And the other – is that I do it for the joy of the stitch. The one individual stitch.

97.   That when I was about 7^th grade age or so, my mother came into the living room where I was sitting on the Duncan Phyfe sofa with her sewing kit next to me and a needle, thread, and paper napkin on my lap. She said, “What are you doing?” I said, “Making pictures with thread. I always do it.” She said, “Do you know that that is called embroidery, and they make material and flosses and kits and everything for it?” I said, “Really?! No! I thought I’d made it up!” She said, “Would you like me to buy you one?” “YESSSS!” And we got right up and went over to John Wanamaker’s in Cross County Shopping Center. I bought a kit. Loved doing it. Learned many “official” stitches, and still have that piece!

98.   My father. SO loving that EVERYONE thought he/she was his favorite (But I know I was lol).

99.   All the safety I’ve enjoyed in my life.

100. Men. Men have been very good to me most of my life.

101. God