Twenty-one random reasons for gratitude

Here are 21 things that I am thankful for in my life:

I am thankful for little birds that sit on our back patio and give us all something to smile about. 

I am thankful for adults who know how to help kids feel safe and appreciated. It’s a skill I admire. 

I am thankful movies that can go the whole time without including a random F word. Seriously, why do they always feel obliged to do that?

I am thankful for Will who gives full effort to come up with good jokes and pushes me to top him. He’s dad-joking at 11.

I am thankful for macarons. Big enough to enjoy a flavor, small enough to try multiple flavors. 

I am thankful for people who take the time to share thoughts of their own rather than just amplifying others. It helps me know them better. 

I am thankful for people who stand resolutely for right even when it’s hard. It’s inspiring. 

I am thankful that the word “foodie” was added to the dictionary the same year that I was born. It gave me a goal in life. 

I am thankful that Candace will buy any new flavor of chips no matter how random. She knows I need to try them. 

I am thankful for kids that get up early on their own. Time together in the morning (especially on the golf course) makes the whole day go better. 

I am thankful for propane powered fireplaces in the backyard. Most of the fun, none of the mess. 

I am thankful for recipes with pepper. It’s the underserved spice. No one compliments someone as the “pepper of the earth.”

I am thankful for LED lightbulbs that can glow with different temperatures of light throughout the day. It’s less jarring for the mind and the eye. 

I am thankful for dried bananas. Nutritious, delicious, and a fun reminder of my Tingey grandpas. 

I am thankful for tourists that sleep late. It allows us to go enjoy some of Las Vegas before they all get up. 

I am thankful for Jane, who hugs me constantly throughout the day. 

I am thankful that guitar strings are inexpensive. They bring a whole new sound each time I change them out without having to buy a new guitar. 

I am thankful for wildlife videographers and the dedication to their art. I’ll watch wild elephants all day. I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world. 

I am thankful for Cole who is never nervous or hesitant to try new things. He makes us feel like we were really good at teaching confidence to our kids. 

I am thankful for beets. Not Dwight level thanks, but daily fresh squeezed beet juice can solve a lot of issues. 

I am thankful for Samm and her ability do see every day as “the best day ever.” 

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This post inspired by a video I watched today from Russell M Nelson. Many decades as both a heart surgeon and a ministerial leader, he can uniquely offer “a prescription for healing.”

I plan to more purposefully #GiveThanks. Join me. 

“Counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems”