Although I feel like the world is in a very dark place—especially for women—there’s still room for gratitude. Admittedly, I must dig deeper to create my post-election gratitude list. The last time I posted about gratitude (25 Things to Be Thankful for in a Challenging World), that post turned out to be one of the most popular blogs I’ve ever written. Now I’m trying to match my old list in a much more challenging world.

Here’s my gratitude list for 2024:

  1. The election is over. I’m not forced to watch repetitive and hateful commercials about candidates accusing each other of lying. What a relief!
  2. Good health. I’m grateful my cancer was Stage 1 and that all’s well after a year. My hip replacement and wrist surgery were successful. I’m dancing, lifting weights and typing without pain.
  3. My husband, who had debilitating back surgery last year, is finally back on his feet and walking three miles in Central Park.
  4. My first sip of hot coffee each morning.
  5. Hugging Samantha in our morning ritual. “Good morning, my beautiful, wonderful daughter.” I inhale the sweet scent of her shampoo. “Good morning, my beautiful, amazing Momma.” A wonderful way to start my day.
  6. Future movie projects for Samantha. A chance for my talented autistic daughter to jump start her career after her Andy Warhol moment in Keep the Change.
  7. Samantha’s acting coach, Heidi Stallings, who believes in my daughter and has helped her immensely.
  8. EPIC Players for giving Samantha and other talented autistic actors paid performance opportunities and free classes to help her learn, grow and stay productively busy.
  9. Actionplay for following my suggestion to form a choral group for talented singers and offering my daughter new performance opportunities, while teaching her new skills.
  10. Our building’s gym which is much cheaper and more convenient than Equinox. Samantha practically lives there, which is also a blessing.
  11. My long time Zumba teacher, Francesca Gambelli, and our dance community.
  12. Owning a spacious two-bedroom apartment and loving every minute of living here after 30+years of renting.
  13. A strong stock market.
  14. Jimmy Kimmel’s monologues which made me laugh every night.
  15. Thanks also to John Oliver for making me laugh during the day while on an elliptical machine.
  16. My son Matt’s unbelievable success this year. His podcast, Red Flags, rated number one in Formula One racing in the U.S. As a result of its popularity, he landed a book contract on the history of Formula One with McMillan Press. Last but not least, he and his partner sold a script to HBO. He is one super busy young man!
  17. I didn’t have to travel anywhere during the Thanksgiving holidays. No lines. No traffic. No worries about the weather. (It rained). I opened my umbrella and walked to one of our favorite restaurants that serves a delicious and reasonable Thanksgiving dinner.
  18. For the third year in a row I enjoyed a relaxing holiday meal without my mother to criticize and torment me.
  19. My wonderful husband, daughter and best friend were my only dinner companions. (I wish Matt could have been with us, but he’s too busy writing and podcasting.)
  20. A winter vacation to Aruba with the whole family. Up until now we’ve been unable to vacation this year because of our many health issues.
  21. Sixty days of sunshine! My flowers were happy and so was I. I know we needed the rain but the bright blue skies and extended warmth were up lifting.
  22. The rain. Yes, I’m grateful for the long delayed rain. I knew it would come.
  23. My begonias are still alive and beautiful with their bounty of bright yellow and orange flowers despite the recent cold weather. I brought them inside and hope to enjoy then through the winter. I have to be optimistic about something!
  24. A new Apple desktop computer. After 9 years, I was overdue and tired of waiting for Apple to come out with a new 27” screen. Switching to 23” is not a tragedy and the new one is light years faster.
  25. The sky has not fallen—at least not yet.

 

 

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