I suppose I need to write what I’m grateful for this year. I’m sure I’ll forget some things, but here goes:

• My amazing husband who puts up with my shit and bakes pumpkin pies from scratch in the morning and lets me sleep in as late as I want most days and makes sure I get up in the morning so I don’t oversleep accidentally. I’m lucky as hell.
• My son who plays guitar and shows me all his new songs and makes his own patches and takes care of so much and makes me laugh so much. He’s hilarious and creative and thoughtful.
• My daughter who is quirky and kind to everyone all the time and headstrong and persuasive. She makes us play games and tells me stories before bed and puts signs in her room to remind herself “Be Kind!”
• My dog who gets so excited when he sees me walk to the chair with my coffee that he jumps up there before I can even sit down because he wants to lay in my lap while I drink my morning coffee.
• My parents who help out so much – my dad comes over and helps Annika get off to school in the morning and my mom sends banana bread and cut up watermelon as surprise treats and takes the kids to movies.
• My extended family – mother in law, sister, brother, sisters in law, brothers in law, niece, nephew, and all the love that comes with my huge family.
• My friend Lora, who is like an auntie to my kids and listens when I need to cry or bitch and complain and hangs out with me when I need to grade but don’t want to be alone and makes up lyrics to songs with me like we’re 14 or something.
• All my other friends, near and far – I don’t see you or hang out with you nearly enough.
• My new job traveling between the middle school and the high school – I’ve learned so much about kids and the school system and development and myself in just 12 weeks.
• My super colleagues at both schools who challenge me to be better and have accepted my quirks and occasional shortcomings as I learn the ropes.
• My students who don’t realize that they are teaching me at least as much as I’m teaching them.
• Coffee.
• So many other things. I’m definitely blessed. I could write them but I’m tired. Happy Thanksgiving.