Gratitudes

It's my last day in Alaska and it just hit me this morning how much I have to be grateful for.

I am so grateful for my family. They are healthy and happy and loving and supportive. When I got in on Thursday, my grandparents immediately came over for dinner. I am grateful for the time I have had with them and all the memories of spending lazy summer days at their place in Seldovia. I am grateful for my parents and especially grateful that Mom and I got to spend the weekend together.

I am grateful for Anne Lamott. She was everything I hoped she would be: funny, smart, honest, and so inspiring. It was amazing to see her speak at the writers' conference and I know everyone there was glad that she came. I am grateful for good books and book recommendations. And I am grateful for all the writers who have the courage to write in spite of all the voices telling them not to. I pray that they will continue to listen to the small voice that says they do have something valuable to contribute and they should just write anyway.

I am grateful that the handsome young men are taking care of my cats while I am away. It is great to be able to get away for a while and not have to worry about the cats or work. I am grateful that I have a job with flexibility and a boss who lets me take time off when I ask. I am also very grateful that I got paid today and I will be able to pay my roommate back for the pet deposit.

I am grateful that I got to spend time in Homer. All of the people there were so friendly. The members of Homer Friends Meeting welcomed us warmly and we loved the food at the Two Sisters Bakery.

I am grateful to be from such a beautiful place. Every time I come back to Alaska, I feel like I can breathe again. I am grateful for the mountains and the trees and for wide open spaces. Without even trying, I have seen two moose, an otter, ducks, geese, squirrels, and countless bald eagles. It is easy to believe in God in a place like this. And today I am grateful for time to run through the woods with two happy dogs.