But today I was almost gushy in my expression of being thankful for some of the items on the following list, which I have expanded since this morning:
- my "adoptive parents" Bob & Lillie, the parents of my best friend, Bob Jr., who have graciously included me in their family for Thanksgiving & Christmas.
- my new church family who accept and love me as is and never indicate that they care about interrogating me about who I am or what kind of past I come from.
- that after 28-30 years I finally got to make some long overdue and heartfelt ninth-step apologies to some folks who really needed to hear them. not only did they accept the apologies, they even forgave me for all the garbage I injected into their lives all those years ago.
- 26 years of sobriety one day at a time (sometimes one hour or minute at a time!)
- strong and, so far, lasting recovery from stage 4 cancer (a miracle in itself) and how it forced me to end a 46 year dependence on cigarettes
- a roof over my head, for now.
- air to breathe, pure or not, for this purpose, it's still free.
- food (sometimes too much and too good!) to eat.
- Clean water, and good tasting thanks to Brita water filters.
- a car that's reliable, mostly.
- the love of God.
- the devotion of two little, manic fur balls who are my loyal friends and keep me warm at night.
- finally, a whole lot of blessings that I couldn't possibly be aware of but which I know have been poured out on me all my life.