Always look on the bright side of life…

Note: If you’ve never seen “Monty Python’s Life of Brian,” make it your 2017 resolution to do so.

Yesterday’s post was crazy negative. From the heart, yes, but distinctly wallowing-in-the-shit negative. 

So let’s take a different route today and join in on “50 things I am thankful for from 2016.”

1. Not a single surgery in our family, for the first time in years.
2. Beautifully redecorated bedroom.
3. Ditto, living room.
4. Ditto, Little Free Library.
5. Middle graduated Summa Cum Laude and started her first teaching job.
6. Hamilton – the soundtrack to my year.
7. A safe neighborhood.
8. Ability to pay bills with very little worry, for the first time in many years.
9. Visit to Oldest, with darling Middle, in June – trip to Baltimore, D.C., and Philly.
10. The earth hasn’t yet imploded from the piss-poor reasoning abilities of the American voter.
11. Seeing The Boy’s conducting debut in person.
12. Seeing The Boy’s senior recital in person.
13. Oldest had her name on three published scientific papers over the summer.
14. A number of truly awesome and supportive coworkers.
15. Our cozy home, a retreat from the world.
16. Old friends.
17. My mom.
18. The Christian Left.
19. Panstuit Nation.
20. Robert Reich, columnist.
21. Paul Krugman, columnist.
22. Old-fashioned, hard-copy, print news.
23. Blog friends.
24. Dogs. Can’t have one, but every dog I see out with its owner, simply loving life, makes me smile.
25. The time and ability to cook and eat most of our meals at home.
26. The company of our Middle, who chooses to live at home.
27. Crisp autumn days.
28. New finds on Netflix and Acorn TV.
29. Masterpiece Theater.
30. Public Broadcasting, both television and radio.
31. Hand work – knitting, crochet, and embroidery this year.
32. Babies and toddlers to play with as part of my work.
33. Dipping our toe into 21st century technology with a Smart TV to replace our former model, bought in the 1990’s.
34. When my two far-away babies come home.
35. Dark chocolate with sea salt and caramel.
36. Fun coffee on the way to work.
37. Grocery delivery – it’s changed my life.
38. Cute boots.
39. Guinea pig videos.
40. Texting back and forth with my family the funny, silly things of everyday life.
41. Oldest managed her serious tendinitis without having to have surgery, by wearing a splint on each wrist for three months.
42. Our niece as Eponine in “Les Mis.”
43. Fun jewelry.
44. My SUV, which even though well-used is still a joy.
45. Cute neighbor kids building fairy houses in the back yard with Middle, and then building them on their own in our front yard.
46. Our farmer’s market in historic downtown.
47. Lime, basil, and strawberry infused water in the hot summer months.
48. Simmering potpourri and deliciously scented wax melts.
49. Ordering clothes – and pretty much everything, really – online.
50. An entire family that’s on the same page politically.

Well, that was refreshing. 

If you, too, are experiencing existential angst, I’d suggest you give it a try!