Gratitude From A-Z

Every year an old friend of mine starts an alphabetical countdown on Facebook for each of the 26 days before Thanksgiving. She lists all of the things in her life about which she is grateful. She also asks friends to add something of their own alongside hers. Everyone lists warm and meaningful things, and then this rube (i.e., yours truly) will end up being the brown shoe in a room full of tuxedos with his own unique take. My friend has a never-ending reservoir of tolerance and good cheer.

So to celebrate my favorite holiday, below is my own similar Thanksgiving list. I hope your own day is filled with equally good cheer.

I Am Grateful For…

(A). The members of our armed forces, past and present.

(B). Bombay Sapphire. When even the worst dinner gathering can at least be saved by an outstanding martini.

(C). Cash. There’s always so little of it around, but what there is I’m grateful to have.

(D). David Letterman. As the song goes, you never know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

(E). Everlasting love. When all is said and done there’s nothing more powerful or satisfying.

(F). Friends. I am lucky to have some very loyal ones.

(G). My lovely wife, Gorgeous. See (E) above.

(H). Good health. May I always be so fortunate.

(I). Ibuprofen. Daddy’s little helper.

(J). Jewish mothers. If only Donald Trump was the son of one, we’d all be much better off right now.

(K). My 401(k). I hope I can say this next year, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one…

(L). Liberalism. Wanna feel my pointy head?

(M). My 2007 Toyota Matrix. 100,000+ miles and it runs still runs great. I am very grateful not to have a car payment anymore.

(N). Network newscasts at 6:30pm. I think 14 other people and me nationally still watch these every evening. I am a fossil.

(O). The Outfield. It was less stressful to play when I was a kid, plus I started conversations with myself that are still going on to this day.

(P). Platitudes. I couldn’t have survived working in offices for over 30 years without them.

(Q). Quadrophenia by the Who. Okay, sorry, but it’s the best I could do. Q is a really hard letter. “Love, Reign o’er Me” is a great song at least.

(R). Retirement. I hope to create a second act at some point, but I am most grateful to have had taken advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

(S). Siblings. I made a promise to myself that in 2015 I would mend fences with each of my siblings. I have. I am grateful not only for all of them, but that we are all still around to drive each other nuts.

(T).Tryptophan. A Thanksgiving tradition. Well, that and Uncle Henry’s annual recitation during the dinner about how the world is going to hell in a hand basket. Sweet dreams!

(U). Uncle Henry. Every family’s got one.

(V). Our veterans. Lest we forget…

. Wine. The beauty of it is that each bottle is going to be great or just average, and you’ll never know until you open it. Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with your turkey, by the way.