Grateful

My son has had a list of twenty-five spelling words to study this week, many of which focus on the holiday of giving thanks. And of course, it made me realize that I haven't, but should, stop and take a moment to count my blessings as well!

I am grateful for...

• My family...both the one I was born into, and the one I've created. My parents are the perfect examples of what 'true family' look and act like. I'm lucky that my husband loves them as much as I do, which has created a bond between our two families that I am very appreciative of. And of course, my husband and son represent nearly all the goodness in my life. If I have nothing in this world other than my parents, husband and son, I would be a very lucky human being.
• My son inspiring me to face my fears. Watching him spar with others has long created a swell of respect in my belly for him, but it's been his jumping into the ocean with his swim team that has really inspired me to try and do the same thing. Last week I swallowed down (you can also call this forcefully 'publicly shaming myself') my fears of sharks, rays, eels jellyfish and strong currents and joined him and his swimming group in the pier for their practice session. I'll admit, it's hard to be terrified when swimming among a group of 20 fearless children!
• The legacy the Obama family leaves behind after eight scandal-free years in office. I don't think (in my very, very short and youthful) lifetime, that I've witnessed a presidential family with more class and grace than them.
• Anytime I'm able to venture off this rock it thrills my nomadic heart...
• For the friend (MS) that recently surprised me with three medical products from Japan that I must have mentioned loving. It was so thoughtful and generous and made me very happy!
• My PT jobs. There are three, two of which are not so steady...but they provide me with a sense of purpose and income that helps.
• My FT job. I don't get paid, but it's been the most amazing gift to be able to have a front row seat to my son's childhood. I've been lucky to have not missed much, and oh my, what a gift that is.
• The snow-capped mountain of Mauna Kea, which has been delivering cool, glorious breezes each day. Let the chronically sweaty unite in happiness!
• That in a few weeks, I'll be able to join a gym for the first time in over 8.5 years (since Ryan was born and we moved back here). At one time, I had three free memberships from various employers in CA before we moved here...but for the last 8-9 years, I've had none.
• I've recently lost the 15 lbs. I gained over the last 2-3 years. I lost 6-7 lbs a year ago, and another 9-10 the last couple of months. My clothes finally fit again, and it's nice to be able to breathe while also being clothed.
• The friends that we will see on Saturday after a birthday party. They've moved a distance away, so we don't see them as much, but boy do we love them!
• Though our renovation start date has been pushed back for the third time, and our lanai continues to look like a coffee shack, I am grateful the drafter, architect and county permitting process have all gone mostly pretty smoothly and that we're almost to the official starting line (February)!
• The protesters...both at the pipeline, and those who share about it on social media. Thank you for bravely promoting awareness about such a critical issue. Like Aleppo, it's easy to turn our heads away from atrocities that seem so far away, but these brave souls make sure it's in our face so that we can help do something about it.
• My former coworker, who I have spent one day a week chatting with over the last four weeks, and who I have greatly missed.
• The healing of my Achilles. It took fifteen months. But I'm no longer running in discomfort and back in business. It's possible that races and long(er) runs may return! I've also enjoyed the hiatus from the really long runs though! :-) 
• I'm loving the cheerful and bright Christmas lights popping up here and there around town and on neighborhood homes. 
• My three new basil plants are rare successes in my garden.
• My son's dedicated karate instructors. All of them. They're everything to us.
• That we are done tenting. Lawdy. I'm so glad that's over.
• Christmas letters/cards in the mail. 
• That we live in a town that is largely shielded from the worst ills of society. Of course, they're here...but not in great abundance. We have far more 'good' guys than bad.
• Rich and Ryan get to ride on a duck boat with friends tomorrow! How fun! (I could have gone, but I'm working...and I don't mind. Sometimes waves = puke for me, and work will distract me from missing out on the fun.
• The recent 'winter storm' (what this looks like in Kona is that we get a nice, steady drizzle a few hours a day, sometimes for 2-3 days in a row)! We get to turn off our fans AND we get to dust off and show off our sweaters! Trust me, this is FUN times for islanders.
• My squad. They're stretched out all over the place, but KH, YS, KT, MB and DK fill the gaps in my heart, 24/7, 365. 
• On that same note, I'm so grateful for my running partners and the different holes they fill:
• Yuri...my faithful, lovely weekly running date for 8 years now
• Ragne...my weekday, mom-friend and confidante, full of calming wisdom
• Vicky & Tonya...my new weekend, long run homies who inspire me to get back into the saddle now that I've healed
• Joanna...my friendly neighborhood running partner (literally a few steps away and often up for the late evening, last minute, 'OMG we need to run!' session). 
• Lianne...my new karate mom running pal 
• Karen...though miles separate us at the moment, you will always be my first running partner, and who introduced me to the concept. Thank you for opening my world.