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Gratitudes

I am thankful for warm slippers, for the feet within them that walk and run and dance. I am thankful for toes that give balance. I am thankful for nail polish, and even more thankful for nail polish remover. I am thankful for knees that bend and for hips that hold me together. I am thankful for bellies and babies and babies' bellies. I am thankful for my gingerbread boys who were once within my belly.

I am thankful for lungs that breathe in and out and the air that fills them. I am thankful for a heart that beats, but even more thankful for a heart that feels. I am thankful for my dominant left hand and the wedding ring it wears, and still more thankful for the man who placed the ring there and who reminds me every day how he loves me.

I am thankful for a back and shoulders and arms and wrists and fingers. I am thankful for ears that hear and eyes that see. I am thankful for a nose and teeth and taste buds. I am thankful for cinnamon and cilantro and cumin and cayenne and chocolate. I am thankful for rice and bread and pasta. I am thankful for hot water and hot fires.  I am thankful for soft pillows and soft words. I am thankful for music, especially when it comes by the hands of one of my gingerbread boys.

I am thankful for traditions, both religious and secular. I am thankful for the words that are within me. I am thankful for the words that I stand upon. I am thankful that the world is full around me, and that there is beauty and goodness in it. I am thankful for you.

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