I'm grateful for:

Being able to walk, talk and breathe.

Not having Covid-19.

That my mind still works.

Having friends both real time and Prose.

Not having to go hungry.

Still be able to laugh at myself.

Have others laugh.

Helping someone when I can.

Music that soothes my senses.

That if I wake up I will see tomorrow.

1. Still being alive

2. Having found the best of friends

3. Having my awesome family (despite their faults)

4. Having joined Prose (and the amazing community here)

5. Being able to educate myself on whatever I wish

6. Being able to write

7. Having so many people willing to read my works

8. Each day and each new opportunity

9. The opportunity to better my craft

10. Mathematics

1) I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to have paternal leave to spend more time with my kids. It's a chance that very few Dads get to have.

2) I'm grateful for my kids. It doesn't matter how unimportant I feel or bad my day at work is. At the end of the day, my kids are excited to see me.

3) I'm grateful for a job that pays well, gives me inspiration for my writings, and gives me more off than most.

4) I'm grateful for the beautiful weather. It usually would be -20 C to -30 C this time of the year.

5) I'm grateful for having a supportive wife that puts up with my issues and sees the good in me.

6) I'm grateful for the country I live in. Despite all its flaws and my distaste for our current government. I live in a time and place where I can openly criticize them without fear of death or imprisonment.

7) I'm thankful that the pandemic isn't as bad as it could have been. Thinking about all the suffering that has happened in the past due to famines and plagues. I have it really good.

8) I'm grateful for all the adventures that I've had (and hopefully will continue to have).

9)I'm grateful for all the terrible struggles I've had that have helped forge me into the man I am today. I don't always like the image I see in the mirror, but when I think back to what I've accomplished or survived. It makes me able to at the very least able to tolerate myself.

10) Since it's Christmas and we're on a writing website. I'm grateful for the greatest story ever told. Despite all of my flaws, Jesus looks at me through Heaven's eyes.

1. The moments spent with my grandparents in their old farmhouse, sitting on a stool by the fire and playing my fiddle. My grandad records my songs on an old tape recorder. He listens to them whenever I’m not actually there to play. Every visitor who comes to their house pays the penalty; they have to spend fifteen minutes listening to my music. He brought them in his car and had Gran’s hairdresser listen to them. He played them over the phone for my aunt. He erased a whole album of other songs he enjoys that he had recorded so that mine could fit on there. Whenever I tinkle the ivories of the old, out of tune piano (and when I say old, I mean old; Grandad’s father got it second-hand eighty five years ago) Gran comes into the room and hums along or dances the old waltzes she used to know. They’re real “old folks”. They have an old house, know old songs, and speak with the good old country accent.

2. Tea. Just black tea with milk and sugar twice a day, thanks. Sadly, I know a couple of tea snobs who laugh at me for having sugar (this includes my own brother, a traitor who, before he started going to college, would drink tea with an entire spoonful). Tea with milk and sugar, brewed in a teapot, is friendlier and far more comforting than herbal.

3. My country. Not to offend you all, but it’s the best country in the world. Hopefully you think the same about your own respective countries because we need more patriots in this world.

4. My journal. It is my firm belief that everyone should own a journal in their lifetime, no matter how little they believe they have to say. We all have stories and something wise buried deep inside us, and they might come out through our pens if we try. Sometimes nonfiction is more beautiful than the most exciting adventures and sweetest romances we can dream up.

5. The internet. Sure, it has about forty five million downsides. But I can have a connection with people from around the world, share my work, and learn more about practically anything I want. I mean, did you know that bananas are berries?

6. My family. But if you’ve read my other posts, you probably know that by now.

7. Imagination. Imagine if we didn’t have it. We wouldn’t even be able to imagine that!

8. My faith. You’ll also know that if you’ve read my other posts ;)

9. Prose (actual prose, as well as the website). I’m so glad I have a place to share my little pieces with other writers!

10. Early mornings. The kind where I actually get up, have a coffee, and walk down to the church with my brother (who, despite his tea snobbishness, has got to be one of the best brothers the world has ever seen) to thank God for everything I haven’t mentioned here.

Thank you for my determination to survive, thrive, and see wonder in all the world.

Thank you for my family who delights me even when they disturb me with their poetry.

Thank you for my band and my platforms for writing, both of which give me purpose each week.

Thank you for my lover who nurtures me even when I don't want to be nurtured.

Thank you for my cat, a mystical little beast who astounds me with his curiosity.

Thank you for my friends, who are very wise and and very adamant about us all having the lives we want.

Thank you for this cup of tea and this lovely breakfast that starts off my day each morning.

Thank you for the sunrise, the sunset, and the stars in between, which fill my day dreams and night dreams with resplendent reverie.

Thank you for the heat which keeps me cozy in my home during these winter hours.

Thank you for this prompt, which has reminded me how truly abundant I am.

1. A roof over my head.

2. Food three times a day.

3. A mother & father.

4. Love & support.

5. Two best friends.

6. Stubborn, mean but also kind, loyal siblings.

7. Shoes & clothes.

8. Bed, curtains, hamper & fan.

9. Piano, books, & roller skates.

10. I am grateful for life. To still be here & breathing, alive.

1) I'm greatful for my teacher's support during online learning.

2) I'm grateful that my computer didn't die on me.

3) I'm grateful for noodles.

4) I'm grateful I didn't go blind during online because I clocked 12 hours of screen time during online learning every day.

5) I'm grateful for a supportive teacher.

6) I'm grateful for the new computer that I got when I started middle school.

7) I'm grateful for a good school and education.

8) I'm grateful for supportive parents.

9) I'm grateful for a nice bed to sleep on.

10) I'm grateful for Christmas presents from my friends.