I like to think that I’m appropriately thankful year-round, but when Thanksgiving rolls around, it’s a nice opportunity to be explicit about it. I now have less than two weeks to go in my Project365 photo-a-day effort, and looking over that collection of photos gives me plenty of reminders of the many blessings for which I am thankful. Because I like to make lists, here’s what I’m most thankful for:
- My husband, family, and friends. I really miss all my people in Michigan - and elsewhere - but I’m thankful that we can keep in touch.
- My academic opportunities, without which I’d be making a lot more money doing work I really enjoy. Instead, I’m making a lot less money doing work I really enjoy. There’s more to the difference than the money, of course, or else I wouldn’t be doing it.
- My critters: Chili, Smokey and Kerry. The dogs are loving and fun, and the cat is entertaining in her dysfunction. Adding Chili to our lives has certainly spiced things up a bit, and we are very thankful to have found such a good dog for us.
- Opportunities to travel; in the last year, I went to Las Vegas and San Jose for conferences, as well as making a few stops at Niagara Falls on drives between Michigan and New York. In the year to come, I’m already planning to attend conferences in Montreal, Canada, and Florence, Italy, and that only takes me through April!
- Our house, and the work we’ve been able to do on it. There’s still plenty more work to be done, but it’s delightful to have our very own place, and a lot more living space as well. We also love being so close to campus and to the green spaces in the nearby cemeteries.
- The confluence of events that have kept us out of financial misery. Being a graduate student is not exactly the high life, but we have been able to marshal the funds for our house, a new computer, and the myriad smaller things that make up a good quality of living.
- Our health, and health insurance - despite an ankle sprain apiece this year, we manage to stay pretty healthy. I even lost a few pounds by moving to Syracuse, as I now get a little more exercise in my daily walk to school.
Of course, there are many other things for which I’m thankful, but this sums up the high points. Despite the day-to-day frustrations and ongoing challenges that keep things interesting, life is good and I am grateful.