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Thursday, November 27, 2003

I Have It Good 

In the spirit of the day, I spent the morning writing a couple of thank you notes to some of the people in my life who I truly appreciate. I wish I'd had time to write a few more, but there was a veggie tray to make and a dog to walk and a Turkey Day wardrobe to plan, and only so much time to relax and cultivate my attitude of gratitude.

When it comes to friends, I have it good. I have people in my life who make me laugh. I have people in my life who share their sorrows and worries with me (but not excessively). I have people in my life who will listen to me worry about something utterly ridiculous and then tell me it will all be OK (and they are right). I have people in my life who act as gentle guiding forces behind my successes. I have people in my life who encourage my creativity. I have people in my life who, just by virtue of being who they are, make me happy when I am around them. When it comes to friends, I have it good.

When it comes to family, I have it good. I have a husband who has always been my best friend and who has, over the years, taught me what true loyalty is all about. I have a Mom I can go out and enjoy a silly chick flick with and who lovingly took me and my brother on an amazing journey to our Norwegian roots this past summer. I have a brother who is one of the most creative people I know, and who constantly encourages me to be better. I have nieces and nephews who are successful and smart and kind. I have in-laws who have become true friends. I have a Dad who sets the gold standard for courage in the face of medical adversity with his great attitude. When it comes to family, I have it good.

I wish I'd had time to write a thank you note to my family doctor -- so many of my friends and family complain about their doctors that I have come to sincerely appreciate mine. My husband and I can always seem to be "fit in" to her schedule, yet we never have to wait more than a few minutes and she never seems to be rushing us out the door. Her receptionist is both efficient AND friendly, managing the doctor's time expertly. From what I can tell, we have it good.

I wish I'd had time to write a thank you note to my gynecologist (as strange as that may sound). But over the years she's given me excellent care and from what I hear from my women friends, this is not always the case. I might have to make my appointments WAY in advance, but when I get there I don't wait long, and my doctor is cheerful, efficient, cautious, and very smart. From what I can tell, I have it good.

Growing up, we always went around the Thanksgiving dinner table right after grace (while the plates were being furiously passed and the gravy being thickly poured) and said something we were grateful for. Sometimes it was a thing, like a new bicycle or home, and sometimes it was something warm and fuzzy, like the joy of being together. Something that I am very grateful for this year is my new showerhead.

While this might sound like a small, insignificant thing, just think of how restorative a really good shower can be! Some might even say it's better than sex. (Not me, of course -- my husband reads this blog. Sometimes. Every now and then. OK, he's read it once that I know of.) In our twenty years together my husband and I have shared a quest to find the perfect showerhead. We have probably spent more than the GNP of a small nation experimenting with various showerheads. In this house alone, where we have lived for slightly less than eight years, we have had at least 5 different showerheads. My husband, who is not exactly a Mr. Fix-It, can install a new showerhead blindfolded while standing on one leg in less than ten minutes.

We finally found THE showerhead. The one that makes you feel like you are on vacation at a really good resort. The one that makes sweating at the gym feel like a distant memory. Sharper Image's Oxygenics Resort Spa Self-Pressurizing Hand-Held Showerhead is amazing. Try it -- you won't be disappointed.

So on this Thanksgiving, I am most grateful for my new showerhead, my friends, and my family. I have it good. Time to hit the shower!
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