Friday night grateful list

here is so much in this world to be thankful for, every day. I saw the above list this week, and while each bullet point doesn't exactly speak to my life at *this moment* (ironing? Does anyone really iron their clothes any more?), it does capture the spirit of finding gratitude in the little things. The basics, I love the basics.

For me, this week, the basics were:
*Check-ins from Seth. We've changed up the routine for the young man a bit, and he's riding the bus home. It's taken a little getting used to (on his part), but he's adapted well (I think my telling him that at his age I took the city bus an hour to school... in the dark... and cold... helped a bit). He calls me when he's home and let's me know the homework and snack situation, and I can carry on and get a bit more done before I head home too.
*Sunshine. We have had some frost this week, but having the morning dawn crisp and clear is one of my favorite things about fall in Walla Walla. The sunshine has been awesome.
*My morning routines. (I told someone this week that when I wake up I get up--it's like one fluid motion, more or less, and very much in response to the alarm during this darkening season--and got a look like I must be nuts. Maybe I am?) I love my morning rituals of making breakfast and coffee and puttering in the kitchen.
*Connection. As humans, connecting seems to be the thing that we want most and also fail at most frequently. Our self-focus gets in the way, a lot. Perhaps that's why when it happens--when people are able to GET each other and the fact that we ALL have struggles and issues and imperfections--it is so meaningful. We're in this boat/world together, and that's a good thing.
*Words. Crafting words that can convey meaning is always something I enjoy. There are times I'm moving too fast to really take the time necessary to edit as I should, but lately I've been enjoying helping others find a way to present situations and challenges with words that aid in the acceptance of said situations and challenges. The turn of a phrase can make all the difference.
*Early evenings. That's my clever way of turning the infernal darkness of the fall/winter into a positive! No sunshine? Put on your jammies and make a cup of hot chocolate! Go to bed early! Make soup! Watch telly! There is something about the way the world hibernates a bit that gives me energy in other ways. Right now, I'll take it (and I'm loving it too)!
*A warm bed, a warm house, a specific warm body next to me. ;) Thanks for always warming my feet, husband.
*Health, for my family, myself, my friends. There's so much not-well in the world, I do thank God daily for health and safety, and don't take it for granted.

I hope your basics have been covered this week, and then some. What's on your grateful list?

Peace.