The Grateful Challenge

It's no secret I've struggled the last few years. But the past 12 months have been filled with so much love and magnificent growth for Amara and me.

I once heard happiness is a gift that comes with every instance in our lives we are grateful. And it is true. So I was up for Gini Dietrich's annual Grateful Challenge.

10 minutes. A list of everything for which you are grateful.

10 minutes goes by quicker than you think. Gini has an impressive list of 99. I couldn't make it to 50. But I am proud of my list and how it's shaped me in 2015.

So here are the wonderful people and special things for which I am grateful today:

1. Amara
2. My BFF
3. My dog
4. My new place because it truly feels like home
   
5. Tara, my friend, concert buddy and fellow lover of good books
6. Charlene, because in essence, we are the same person
7. Madeleine, my sponsor
8. Lisa, my soul sister
9. Carrie, my Canadian sister
10. My uncle and his family
11. Carol, my college mom
12. Molly, my partner in crime
13. My doctors
14. Chicago and city air
15. Madonna della Strada, my thinking spot
16. Disney World, my happy place 
17. The Shore
18. Waking up to the sound of crashing waves
19. Bread pudding pancakes at Southport Grocery
20. Pecan pie
21. Sticky rice
22. Coffee
23. A job I enjoy
24. Pretty sweet bosses
25. A work team I respect
26. my iPhone
27. Social media
28. Finally meeting people I had previously only spoken to online in real life (like Gini!)
29. My TV family
30. Birthday months
31. Half birthdays
32. My church
33. Leggings
34. Hoodies 
35. Tall boots
36. Eyeliner
37. My Marc Jacobs perfume
38. Brisk autumn mornings
39. Tulips
40. Young adult books
41. Writing (yes, I don't blog as much but it's the thought that counts)
42. Cleveland sports (bad habits never die)
43. Other basketball moms
44. The Cleveland Metroparks
45. Music, lots of music 
46. My unique name

My gratitude comes in all forms - from the simplest of pleasures to the most complex of relationships that some will never understand. I appreciate creating this list because it serves as a reminder to not take anything for granted.

I wish all of you a love-filled, peaceful Thanksgiving. Be well!