Thirteen Things I'm Thankful For

In honor of Thanksgiving 2013, a list of thirteen things I'm thankful for (in no particular order):
  • every single comment left on this blog. Those comments remind me that I'm not shouting into the wind, that people do in fact read what I write. I don't know if I'd still be blogging if I didn't have the acknowledgement, support, and conversation that happens in the comments.
  • being able to support myself as a freelancer for yet another year
  • my dog surviving--and even thriving--with kidney failure
  • my friendships with people near and far, online and in real life
  • the support, encouragement, and feedback of my writers' groups
  • my shade tree is still standing---and still has its full complement of (now-reddish) leaves this late in the season
  • my local library, where I've spent hours working on The Novel and without which I could not support my reading habit
  • my therapist, for helping me find my way down this new path
  • having a comfortable home in which I can live and work
  • having a gym where I can swim on even the coldest days
  • the blogs and websites where I find inspiration, motivation, and commiseration on my journey to health
  • the TV channel that plays reruns of M*A*S*H every weekday evening, which help me unwind at the end of my workday
  • the snuggly warmth of my bed on a cold winter day such as today  (No, I'm not there now, but oh, how I wish I could be!)

Clipart taken from Openclipart.org. Leaves by nicubunu; Turkey by Pippi2011.