An extended thankful list

Each November we sit down

With our turkey and our dressings,

And we stop and take a moment

To recognize our blessings.

Sure we love our family,

Sure we love our friends.

Sure we love our health

And hope happiness never ends.

We’re thankful for each other

We’re thankful for the food.

We’re thankful for peace on earth

And that we’re clothed and shoed.

But if you stop and really think

Of your thankful item list,

There are a few daily items

That surely would be missed.

So besides all the usual stuff,

That is a grateful bore,
I offer up a thing or two

That I’m very thankful for.

I’m thankful for the stretchy pants

That fit my curvy legs,

I’m thankful for the chicken

For laying tasty eggs.

I’m thankful for dental floss

After dining on ears of corn,

I’m thankful that winter sweaters

Can more than once be worn.

I’m thankful for a TV show

That’s not an old rerun,

I’m thankful for dishwashers,

For getting the job done.

I’m thankful for fuzzy slippers,

And thankful for guest cooks.

I’m thankful for the library

And the free resource of books.

I’m thankful for medicine

To take away my aches,

And thankful for cold weather

That hides away the snakes.

I’m thankful for the person

Who first invented cheese.

I’m thankful that my body

Still has sturdy knees.

I’m thankful when laundry duty

Brings an extra dime,

And thankful (despite procrastination)

When my work gets done on time.

I’m thankful for sandwich bread

That hasn’t yet grown mold,

And thankful for the fitted sheets

When I actually get a fold.

I’m thankful for my GPS

When in a different town.

I’m thankful when my toast

Is the perfect shade of brown.

I’m thankful for shampoo and soap

That makes us all so clean.

I’m thankful for my daily dose

Of imperitive caffiene.

I’m thankful for clean water,

In liquid, solid, or vapor.

I’m thankful when I can safely reach

A new roll of toilet paper.

I’m thankful for the internet,

Crock Pots and chicken wings,

And thankful for Facebook friends

That recommend these very things.

I’m thankful for free refills,

And for flavored Tootsie Rolls.

I’m thankful for finding socks that match

And that don’t have giant holes.

I’m thankful for the well-timed toot

When the mood is dark and solemn,

I’m thankful that you, my friend,

Are somehow still reading this column.

Maybe the answer to life’s riddle,

To avoid the blues and sorrow,
Is to remember all of these little things

And be just as thankful…tomorrow.

Originally written 11.22.15