Five for Today

1.  I'm grateful today is Tuesday.  It is not Monday any longer -- not that Monday was bad or is ever bad -- but there is just a day now and then when things are foggy.  Yesterday was one of those days, but the fog has lifted.  Today is beautiful.

2.  Believe it or not, I am very grateful for TP.  Having traveled to many remote places in the world where TP is not a priority, I am thankful it is cheap and readily available here.  (I remember saving some and bringing it home with me after my first trip to Europe. It was more like wax paper than American TP.)

3.  I'm appreciative of companionship -- in all its forms.  I have a loving spouse who appreciates and cares for me, and even likes hanging out with me.  My sweet old dog loves to snuggle next to me and is always glad to see me when I come home.  And I have wonderful friends.  I know I can call and ask for anything -- they would come running.  Or we can just spend time together, laugh, talk, and enjoy fellowship.

4.  This one is getting more important all the time.  I enjoy my five (or six) senses and can still use them.  My hearing is not as good as it used to be, but I can still hear good music, laughter and the sound of the voices I love. The smells from our kitchen -- and many others -- still get my attention, "something delicious is nearby." The taste of delicious food is more wonderful every day, because now I am not afraid to try things. Might not like it after I try it, but I'm all in. My old bones can still feel the ground beneath my feet.  But that means I can still walk and move around, a very good thing indeed.  There are folks who lose those sensations due to disease or injury, but I have been very fortunate, and I know it.

5.  Wow -- already to number five!  Communication.  In all its forms.  So far this morning I have exchanged text messages, talked on the phone, and emailed people.  Now I'm finishing this blog post, another form of communication.  It is not always clear what is being communicated, but staying in touch is so important.  Sometimes it may even be heartbreaking.  Nonetheless, better to hear than be estranged.

There it is. Five things for which I am thankful.  I feel better just saying it.