with gratitude

things i am thankful for:

- my family. i love them like crazy. they make me smile. they make me cry, both happy and sad tears. they are stand steadfastly by.

- my friends. more crazy love. they make me laugh so, so hard. i'd travel the world to be with them.

- my doctors, the ones i've had for a while and the new ones. my nurses, the ones who try to do everything possible to make it better. the receptionists who are there with a smile. the people in the lab who stick me with care. i am lucky i have good experiences at the hospital. for that, i am thankful.

- crizotinib. i'm not sure i'd be here without it.

- cut flowers.

- snowstorms that dump feet of snow at a time.

- the waves at the beach.

- warm hugs of happiness, comforting hugs of grief, huge hugs of celebration, bone crushing hugs of love.

- dogs. gorilla and the way she wags her nub with reckless abandon when i come home, the way she always knows when i need to snuggle, the way she plays with a sock. jack and the way he makes you feel like the best human in the world every time you see him. clem and those fantastic ears and knowing glances. and mataou, the ghost dog, for making us laugh.

- ovens and stoves and ingredients and the way they can all come together to make a house smell like a home.

- music to dance to.

- a bike to ride.

- going for a run.

- walking with a friend.

- gorgeously merchandised stores selling treasures and window shopping.

- nutella.

- bravo tv programming.

- books, books, books.

- wool sweaters and jack purcells.

- evening light through windows.

- fireplaces.

- eastern hemlocks.

- milkshakes and decaf soy lattes. cokes and gatorade. water.

- happy thanksgiving. love to all. thanks for being there.