50 things I’m Grateful for…
- hubby Greg
- Friends – so many coworkers turned friends/like family since I was 19
- Family – huge on both branches of the family tree, 6 siblings on mom’s side, 7 siblings on bio dad’s side
- Cats, past and present
- Flowers, past and present & thank goodness for saved digital photos since 2001 especially
- Books – too many to list
- Poems – ditto, especially the Romantics, Cavaliers
- Shakespeare
- Robert Frost
- Victorian novels such as Great Expectations
- Pens Ultimate Nanaimo writing group since 2011
- Lessons learned from my 2 exes/ex relationships
- My many counselors, support groups
- Facebook’s positive support groups, social network at all hours
- Stepmom & bp (bipolar) magazines
- Twinless twins support group international
- Vistaprint: a creative & productive outlet
- Christian authors: Ann Voskamp, Lysa Terkheurst…
- Self-help authors: Gabrielle Bernstein, Mastin Kipp…
- Celebrity memoirs: Jazz Jennings, Caitlyn Jenner, the Gaineses, Jann Arden…
- Nature: beaches, trees…
- Invigorating wind
- Refreshing rain
- Bright blue, sunny skies
- Coffees, walking and talking in the mornings: a very nice start to the days
- Outsiders novel, by S.E. Hinton and ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’ poem, by Robert Frost
- Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
- Hamlet & Romeo and Juliet
- William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, Percy B. Shelley, Keats, Blake…
- Over 75 tutoring students since 1993, so rewarding to improve/teach read/spelling
- Bachelor of Arts English major, postbac Bachelor of Education, professional teaching certificate
- My 1000s of flower photos/portraits from over the years
- My 100s of poems I’ve written since age 12, in good times and bad
- Extensive knowledge of gardening re veggies, perennials, annuals, thanks to helping dad since a girl as well as spending so much time w Gram (dad’s mom) and mom’s rhododendron collection, as well as building my own garden oasis/backyard by hand over 9 years
- Meeting/finding/reconnecting w my long lost/adopted out aunt Rachel
- Meeting/finding/reuniting w my long lost/formerly banned little sister Tiara
- Concerts attended: Alannah Myles, Jann Ardenx2, Sting, Aerosmith, Harry Connick Jr., Elton John w Billy Joel, Keith Urbanx3
- All things that have inspired my poems: alcoholism, heartbreak, grief, love, nature…
- Garden and beach themed sections/décor in my condo
- My art prints, paintings, photos
- Printed paper photos of the past, digital photos of the present
- My beloved collection of books: a mix of favourites and to-read-someday/soon
- Binders of notes from my BA/B.Ed degrees
- Tutoring/teaching resources
- Collection of special shells from unknown and known beach walks
- Collection of special, meaningful, sentimental mugs/teacups
- Fun moments/interesting conversations/sharing w the step-teens
- This small island I’ve always called ‘home’
- Always living near nature trails andor close to a beach or few
- Life is ever-changing, but here’s to 43 years and counting 😊