Day 18: Rampage of Gratitude

     I went on a 'rampage of gratitude', as they say.
     Here is a sample:
     I am so grateful ...

     To live within 15 minutes of my favorite place on earth.

     For the sun and blue sky on a chilly December morning.

     For air so clean and fresh that it almost burns my nose.

     For living in a country where education is valued and every child gets to go to school and learn how to read – and I can then read signs along the seawall.

     For living in a city that values its green spaces enough that it even has a Parks & Recreation Department to clean up the pathway and beaches and take care of this park.

      For oceans so clean that I can see 20 feet under the surface.

     For living in a city where two gay men can be comfortable enough to walk hand-in-hand along the seawall.

     For living in a city where children are valued enough that playgrounds and water parks are created and maintained.

     For having clean drinking water, straight out of a public city water fountain.

     For exploring a park where birds still live … crows, seagulls and today, a bald eagle.

     For living in a place where anyone, including women, can feel safe enough to walk in a public park. Alone.

     For living in a society where people appreciate the park enough to not litter and the park workers care enough to pick up any litter that is around.

     I accepted all these gifts into my heart and was grateful for each and every one of them.

     Truly.


Check out the next story in the series, Day 19: Pizza at a Teahouse? 

Photo by Pen Waggener