formerly Diane's Addled Ramblings... the ramblings are still addled, just like before, and the URL is still the same...
it's just the title at the top of the page that's new

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Giving Thanx...

I would like to introduce you, my bloggy buds, to one of my favorite websites ever... THXTHXTHX... the author, Leah, writes a thank you note every day (on a Post-It note) to whomever or whatever she's feeling most grateful that day. Most of her notes make me laugh; some of them make me think; some make me cry. They all, however, remind me that I need to be more diligent about expressing gratitude on a regular basis for the many blessings in my life, something I sometimes forget to do (you forget, too, sometimes, right? C'mon, say you do... don't make me feel like a heel here!).

Since November 1, several of my Facebook friends have been writing in their status updates each day, one thing for which they're grateful. I guess November naturally gives way to the attitude of gratitude, as it's the month which includes Thanksgiving and precedes the time/energy/wallet-suck that is Christmas. I mean, The Season of Joy and Giving. That's totally what I meant. Shut up. I know I've expressed here before how I get a little aggravated about the way the whole world changes around the holidays and everyone talks about peace and love and taking care care of everyone else, and then, come January, everyone goes back to life as normal. I'm a cynic, I know. But I'm an optimistic cynic (there is TOO such a thing. Damn it).

And? I'm a grateful cynic.

For me, this has been a year of less; of making do; of good-lord-when-are-things-going-to-turn-around? But I know it's been hard for many, many people and even though things are rough for me right now, I am one seriously lucky human being. So I'm going to list for you, my wonderful bloggy peeps, the things for which I'm most grateful (in no particular order)...

1. My Girl ~ She is beyond remarkable, that child of mine. This has been a rough year for her, too, as she's had to face some realities and devastating disappointments about her dad that no child should have to face. But she has risen above it all, with maturity, grace, and unbelievable humor. I love that girl. And I'm so thankful to be her mother.

2. My Friends ~ Oh. My. Word. I have the most wonderful friends on the planet! They are my chosen family. They listen (and they hear, even when I don't have the words); they give of themselves (beyond generously); they make me laugh like crazy (seriously, like crazy... like, soda-out-the-nose-snorty-wheezy-can't-breathe kind of crazy); they kick my butt when I need it (but never when I'm down); they tell me I'm fabulous (even when I'm not); they love me when I'm most unlovable. I simply could not go on without them.

3. My Fuzzy Boy ~ How I love that dog. Not an hour passes in any given day without him making me smile. He's my own personal comedian, therapist, and space heater.

4. My Family ~ They're nuts. But I'm grateful for them (even if it's just because against them, I look sane).

5. Work ~ It's been a bit more sporadic than I'd like of late, but it's still coming in and that's a lot better than a lot of people have right now.

6. Words ~ I love 'em. I need 'em. I use 'em (even though I haven't been using 'em here much lately!). I can't imagine a life in which I couldn't write to express myself and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to do so, whether it's through my work, my journal, my blog, my classes, emails to my friends, or my Facebook page.

7. Chocolate ~ Do I really need to explain this one? No, I didn't think so.

8. Pigsknuckle ~ It's taken a while but I've finally found a nice little niche here. Not only is it a beautiful little city (especially in the fall), it's a place full of some pretty wonderful people. It's the place where my girl is happy and settled and loving life. It's where I'm going to be for a while. And I'm grateful for that.

9. My 'Virtual' World ~ I think it's funny that 'virtual' means 'simulated' or not really real, because you'd be hard-pressed to convince me that this place - Blogland - isn't as real as the coffee shop on the corner. It's as warm and as welcoming and full of so many people with whom I'd give my right arm to have a cup of tea and a chat. I'm so grateful for you all. I have been since my first comment and I will be long after my blog has faded into oblivion.

10. Remission ~ My Aunt Jean, one of my favorite people on the planet, is in it, after a long, scary battle with an ugly cancer. I'm so grateful.

11. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day ~ It's one of the big things that takes me out of my own small world and makes me work to contribute to something far bigger than myself and far more important than my own issues. I'll walk 'til I can't walk anymore and I'll be grateful every year for every step of every one of those 60 miles.

12. My Computer ~ Because my friends live in it. Duh. And because it brings me work I wouldn't otherwise get and interesting information and news from around the world that would kill lots of trees if I had to read about them in hard copy.

13. Lots of Other Stuff ~ Like books and bookstores that are open late on a Friday night and book fairs where you can buy so many words for so few dollars... like state parks that have cheap campsites and beautiful lakes and hiking trails (even the ones that go UP and down and UP and down and UP and down)... like the $1 RedBox movie rental kiosk at the grocery story... like hot tea after a chilly walk... like homemade soup and crusty bread and avocados and fresh mozzarella cheese and bagels and cream cheese... like fresh new notebooks, just waiting to be filled up with thoughts and ideas and stories... like rainy days and quiet snowstorms and bright blue skies and warm sunshine... like swimming laps and coaching little sinkers and just floating... like a great song on the radio that lifts your spirits or makes you cry... like missing my dad like crazy because the empty place in my heart reminds me how big his influence was in my life...

So many things...

What about you? What do you 'give thanx' for every day?

16 comments:

~j said...

what a fantastic list...i smiled and nodded as i read through it.

Mr. Witherspoon said...

A great list! Funny, but I'm grateful for my family for much the same reason you are ;)

I'm thankful for many of the same things...family, siblings, friends, work, and yeah, even Pigsnuckle (on non foul-smelling days, of course ;) And, maybe this year more of that peace and love around the holidays will last into the new year. One can hope, anyway.

Sueann said...

I am thankful for you my friend for putting this smile on my face!
And no you don't need to explain thankfulness for chocolate. I mean, seriously!!
Hugs
SueAnn

SSP said...

wonderful list!! you are right, it is important to put pen to the things you appreciate - it really makes them tangible...and after the weekend I have had, I can honestly say Friends, Family and Chocolate are at the top of my list too!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to check out the website in a minute -- but first, I have to tell you how VERY thankful I am for people like you. Positive, uplifting, caring individuals who make even my darkest days a little brighter. You are truly a gem and I am so, so very thankful that this not-really-real world brought you into my very real life :)

Marla said...

What a great list. Loved it.

I checked out the blog suggested. What a great site. I'm following now. Thanks!

Anne said...

Awesome list, my friend. Just awesome. It's good to think about the things for which we are grateful.

Also? I happen to know your friends are just as grateful for you as you are for them.

Zuzana said...

That was beuatiful dear Diane, I guess we all have so much to feel grateful about, how ever hard our life can be at times.;)
I guess I am grateful for each and every morning I can get up, feeling healthy and having yet another shot at life.;))
xoxo

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Who are you and what are you doing on Diane's blog?

swenglishexpat said...

Great post. It is 32 years since I had a brush with death, and for most of those years I have woken up in the mornings feeling grateful to just being alive. It can put some perspective on many situations.

Shelia said...

I'm grateful for new tires on my car, for my students who make me laugh every day, for the opportunity to go back to school, for each of my new clients, for my family (they are nuts, too, but they love me, and I love them. And, I'm grateful for my friends, each and everyone of them. Thank you for the reminder. I love the post it note idea, and my students and I will be doing that at the end of each class period. I can see it now: a GRATEFULNESS WALL! What a wonderful idea!

Love and miss ya,
She

Pauline said...

I'm grateful for people like you who post blogs like this one and send us off to explore other great ones, too. Thx, thx, thx!

Anonymous said...

I give thanks to this wonderful blog which is written by a wonderful woman!
*sob, slight sniffle!*

Sherri Murphy said...

Thank you.

Sam_I_am said...

I'm thankful for quiet time. Time to just sit and reflect on things without anyone wanting things from me.

Anonymous said...

Greetings :)

What was the best and most terrible film of 2010 in your oppinion? To me it would have to be:

Greatest: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One

Worst: A Nightmare on Elm Street


With thanks :) <3