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:
- The election is over. I’m not forced to watch repetitive and hateful commercials about candidates accusing each other of lying. What a relief!
- 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.
- My husband, who had debilitating back surgery last year, is finally back on his feet and walking three miles in Central Park.
- My first sip of hot coffee each morning.
- 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.
- 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.
- Samantha’s acting coach, Heidi Stallings, who believes in my daughter and has helped her immensely.
- 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.
- 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.
- Our building’s gym which is much cheaper and more convenient than Equinox. Samantha practically lives there, which is also a blessing.
- My long time Zumba teacher, Francesca Gambelli, and our dance community.
- Owning a spacious two-bedroom apartment and loving every minute of living here after 30+years of renting.
- A strong stock market.
- Jimmy Kimmel’s monologues which made me laugh every night.
- Thanks also to John Oliver for making me laugh during the day while on an elliptical machine.
- 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!
- 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.
- For the third year in a row I enjoyed a relaxing holiday meal without my mother to criticize and torment me.
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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.
- The rain. Yes, I’m grateful for the long delayed rain. I knew it would come.
- 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!
- 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.
- The sky has not fallen—at least not yet.