Gratitude

My wife Lisa wrote this in October, 2023. I believe that this was early in the episode of depression that ended with her death:

I am grateful for my husband who is the best thing that ever happened to me.

I am grateful for my children who are interesting human beings who have enriched my life beyond measure.

I am grateful for the memory of my parents whom I love and will miss for the rest of my life.

I am grateful for my sisters whom I will always love and who make me laugh.

I am grateful for my best friend who has known me for 55 years and no matter how long we go between calls we always pick right up again. I am grateful that she suggested that we set up a day and time to speak every week. I am grateful for the trust she has in me and that no matter what I say she is generous in her reception of it, interpreting it through the lens of who I am and what she knows about me.

I am grateful for my friends who like me and treat me kindly and warmly.

I am grateful for my extended family who I don’t see often enough but who in my memories make me feel loved.

I am grateful for friends whom I rarely see but who live in my memories and make me smile.

I am grateful for the internet which allows me to indulge my curiosity to my heart’s content.

I am grateful for my profession and my job which provides me with structure and meaningful work and provides me with a decent living and gives me a chance to interact with a variety of interesting women.

I am grateful for my liberal arts education which taught me to think and gave me access to the whole world.

I am grateful for my home which is a shelter and a refuge. And I am grateful to those who made it possible for us to have it.

I am grateful for my neighborhood which is inhabited by decent people and which is lovely and peaceful, situated right next to the state park which enables me to see some of the incredible wildlife that live there.

I am grateful for electric candles which are the coolest thing since sliced bread.

I am grateful for the intellectuals and thinkers and authors who provide with a multitude of things to consider.

I am grateful for music and the musicians who share their artistry with the world.

I am grateful for my body which has been reliable despite the lack of care I give it.

I am grateful for the various critters who have shared my home and brought me joy.

I am grateful for craft stores which enable me to express whatever artistry I possess.

I am grateful for the local grocery store and living in a country in which I do not fear hunger.

I am grateful to live in a country in which I do not live in fear of attack.

I am grateful for my car which gives me incredible freedom to come and go as I please.

I am grateful for hot tea which reminds me of my mother and which is so comforting on a chilly day.