the gratitude list

I'm Most Grateful For...

1. My marriage to George. I still can't quite believe I'm lucky enough to be married to my best friend.
2. The love and support of my friends and family, especially my Aunt Barb (for whom I was named), my Aunt Jo (my godmother) and my cousin Melinda.
3. My faith and the incredible community at the Basilica of St. Mary.
4. Turtle sundaes.
   
5. My many wonderful, tender, funny memories of my mom and dad.
6. That I have a darling puppydog to cuddle and play with.
7. Books.
8. Modern medicine!
9. Sweater weather.
   
10. A roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our table, which is more than many have these days.
11. "The Closer" on TNT, along with Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report."
12. That I had the opportunity to work for both Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Paul Wellstone.
13. The Minnesota Twins (first place in the A.L. Central!), especially Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan. And that I got carded--twice--at the game Saturday night. :)
14. The Minneapolis lakes, the Mississippi River and the North Shore of Lake Superior.
15. That I have so many of my mom's and grandma's old letters, as well as my dad's photographs from WWII.
16. Colorful maple leaves that crunch underfoot in the fall.
    
17. My education at Boston College, which taught me how much I still have to learn.
18. My curly red hair, pale skin and freckles, which I detested in my early teens, but learned to appreciate after I saw Molly Ringwald in "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles."
19. Sunscreen, big hats and sunglasses.
    
20. The values I learned from my parents.
21. My memories of growing up surrounded by a huge, exuberant and loving extended family-- especially at Christmas.
    
22. Hair conditioner and anti-frizz products.
    
23. The mother who gave me life, and my adoptive parents who were, quite possibly, the most terrific mom and dad ever in existence.
24. My continued, and very real, sense of my mom's presence.
25. Chocolate.
    
26. The people I worked with and met as a chaplain intern. I received far more than I gave.
27. That I was with my mom, holding her hand, when she died.
28. That Barack Obama is running for president.
29. That, despite a truly hideous audition, I'm going to be singing in the Contemporary Choir at the Basilica.
30. That we are finally going to get Fiona to obedience lessons. Sigh.
31. That I learned to apply Oragel to my eyebrows before I pluck them.
32. My trusty little '96 Geo Metro.
33. My subscriptions to Commonweal, U.S. Catholic and America, which give me hope that the Catholic Church will, somehow, be okay.
34. Writing classes at The Loft.
35. Pasta.
36. My wonderful in-laws. Not only did I get a husband, but I gained a whole new family, too, complete with four sisters!
37. Berry smoothies.
38. Makeup, which makes me look as if I feel good even when I don't.
39. Sunshine and blue skies.
40. Laughter.