My List of Gratitude for 2021

I’m so grateful for my husband, Steve. We’ve been married for over 41 years! I’m grateful to my friend, Eileen, who made it possible for us to meet during the summer of 1979 at Playland, (in Rye, NY). Eileen and Steve were both county police officers and patrolled the amusement park all summer. We started dating about 3 weeks after we met, were engaged 3 months later, and less than a year after that we said, “I do!”

It’s been a wonderful life with Steve, sharing the roles of parent, grandparent, homeowner (designing many renovations), gardener, patio-builder, traveler, dreamer, and so much more. Steve, you are an amazing and wonderful man and I’m so grateful to have you as my life partner.

I’m also grateful that we get to start planning the next chapter of our lives – retirement! Steve has worked very hard to provide for our family and deserves some time off! I will probably never retire – I love my work, and I’m grateful I can do as much or as little as I choose. Since last March, we’ve had a sneak peek into 24/7 life together – and we’ve thrived, not struggled!

I’m grateful for my family – my 3 children and their spouses and kids. They bring such joy to my life and I’m honored to be invited into their lives. It’s such a great transition when your children become your friends! We truly enjoy talking and spending time together – vacations, holidays, phone chats, board game tournaments. You name it, we’ve done it! I’m also grateful for my siblings and in-laws (there are MANY!) Family rounds out my life and lets me know I belong to a Tribe of wonderful people.

I’m grateful for “Friday night dinner and a movie”, with my husband, his mom, Dolores, and my best friend, Sheila. We made lemonade out of lemons when the world shut down and my father-in-law passed away. Our little “COVID pod” made the weeks and months go by in a flash.

I am deeply grateful for my health. When COVID hit, I got really worried, due to my asthma. Now that I am vaccinated, I feel so much safer. I’m grateful I have the many options to prevent exposure, and even if I did get it, it would no-longer be as life-threatening. I’m grateful that no one in my immediately family has had a bad case of COVID, and I’m so thankful that even the grandkids can now get their vaccine. Thank you to the biomedical teams that have been working hard over the last 10 years that helped them to achieve a vaccine so quickly!

I’m grateful for my home. Though I fought the idea of selling our old house 15 years ago, I’m sure glad we ended up in this antique (1795) colonial on an acre and a half, with beautiful mature trees and an open sky at night to look at the stars. We have enough room to house everyone when they come to visit and we even have enough space for the two of us to work from home during this pandemic. Lunch time and breaks, we can go out in the garden or on the patio and enjoy the fresh air. What could be better?

I’m grateful for the many colleagues I get to interact with on a monthly or weekly basis and for having the opportunity to collaborate or be referral partners with several women in various aspects of my coaching and networking business, Authentic Connections. Having that comradery is so comforting and grounding.

I’m grateful for the clients who have chosen to work with me over the last 13 years as a coach. I learn and grow with each and every client. I am honored to be on their journey with them and so thankful that they trust me and feel safe enough to share their deepest thoughts and concerns, as well as acknowledging moments of celebration and forward growth. This is why I can’t imagine retiring!

I’m grateful for the friendships I’ve developed over the years; from childhood to the present. I’m particularly aware that it takes effort to keep those friendships alive and I do my best to stay connected to as many people as I can. If you’re a friend or colleague, or we just haven’t connected in a while, please reach out. I’ll be very grateful!

And finally, I’m grateful for the technology that has kept all of us connected throughout the last 18 months. Zoom allows me to see and hear people from all over the world and I’d be lost without my computer and phone. I’m learning to let go of them as well, and find time to enjoy nature and to be out in the fresh air.

There is so much more I could share, but I’ll end it there!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with whomever you are able to see and please take the time to be grateful.