Gratitude

Day to day, I know my outlook is better when I make a point to notice the high notes ~ little things like being thankful for a courteous driver, a short line at the coffee place, or an unexpected kind word.  So, toward ending the year right and leaving a positive space for 2009 to come in, I’ve made this list of Things I’m Thankful for from 2008:

♥    Friends.  I could not have navigated the last year without the company of my girlfriends.  These women are funny, smart, challenging in a way that I love, talented, and did I mention funny?  I’ve spent many “if-I-wasn’t-laughing-I’d-be-crying” moments with all of them.  Thank you Desiree, Tracy, Patti, Meg, Cindy & Penny.  My life is so much richer because of you!

♥    Travel.  I’m lucky enough to have a job that brought me to visit several places this year including Kodiak, New Orleans, and Fairbanks twice.  Travel, even in whirlwind work mode, is so inspiring to me.

♥    A home.  In this year of economic freak-out the country has experienced, I’ve been extra grateful for owning a home that I am in no danger of losing.   I’m also thankful for being able to heat it and put food on the table at the same time.  There were so many stories in the news that made me think, “there, but for the grace of God, go I”.  I feel equal parts proud of myself for providing for my family and also just plain lucky.

♥    A wonderful man that spent much of 2008 with me.  I learned so much from him and am so thankful for the opportunity he gave me to reach past some old boundaries.  (Flying in a small plane ~ thank you! Love it!)   He took me to visit the Oregon coast, which was a sweet and romantic gesture.   He made me laugh, made me feel beautiful, and on occasion he let me take care of him a bit too.  He and his children hold a warm place in my heart.

♥    Obama!  I can’t even express how relieved, happy, and hopeful I am for the coming administration.

When I started this blog, I was acutely aware that anything written online could be seen by anyone – known or unknown to me.  It was kind of a leap to take my life from very private to semi-public.  And I decided that I would only reference my creative life, and protect all other details.  So this list is a bit of a departure. 

I may be moving in the direction of being slightly more open here in 2009, while still trying to protect the privacy of people close to me.  The main reason I’d like to expand is because I notice that my favorite blogs are ones that straddle that line between creative/work life and personal/home life.  I have a *teeny tiny* readership (hi mom!) but I aspire to more.  Like the women that inspire me online, I would love to be a support to other women.  By opening my life like some of the brave souls already blazing these trails, I hope to become part of that community. 

That said, there are some immediate family members that I didn’t add to my list up there – because it felt too private!  :o)  Baby steps, right?  Everyone that actually knows me though, knows my small family too and knows how much I love them.  ♥