I ❤ making lists. Sure, I love making long to-do lists to feel the joy of crossing things off (is this not a universal human satisfaction?!). But I also find comfort in making lists of things I’m anxious about, or what I’ve learned from xyz scenario, or moments I’m excited for, or topics I wish I knew more about. Perhaps someday I’ll make a list of why I love lists 😉 .

For now, though, I’ll just share an unedited, stream-of-consciousness list I wrote in honor of Thanksgiving. 2020 has been such a doozy. In the words of my wise mother, “Let’s not forget to count up the good things, too.”

In 2020, I’ve found myself thankful for…

1. the humor that gets me thru the hard days
2. clear, clean skies after wildfires
3. COVID testing
4. masks, gloves, PPE
5. front-line workers
6. books (Know My Name, A Gentleman in Moscow)
7. FaceTime, GVC, technology to support us
8. my health. really, more than ever before.
9. the oldest, truest friends
10. the colors pink and olive and blue
11. access to healthcare
12. clean, safe water
13. a sturdy, reliable home
14. employment 
15. new coworkers
16. women-of-waymo/x
17. mentorship from wise folks
18. mint tea
19. toast and apricot jam 
20. my strong body
21. yoga, meditation, all of the things
22. podcasts (On Being, Becoming Wise)
23. the sound of wind in leaves
24. the smell of laundry detergent (calming)
25. people who believe in me
26. grandparents 
27. sisterhood 
28. travel despite corona (OR, WA, IL, HI)
29. brave voices + mvmts for equality
30. simplified schedules (how did I ever do so much?)
31. soft, forgiving clothes
32. second chances
33. opportunities to grow into being more me
34. community…despite + in spite of COVID
35. acts of remembrance
36. fresh starts
37. standing desk
38. good ear plugs
39. long hikes
40. proximity to the ocean
41. “thinking of you” texts
42. liberal uses of “I love you”
43. all the things that didn’t happen
44. the kindness of strangers
45. the things that fell thru
46. financial stability
47. more books (Four Agreements) + bookclubs
48. long-distance friendship
49. ice cream (tgod that exists) 
50. a backyard
51. a quiet space of my own to work
52. Netflix 
53. comedy shows (TY, Trevor Noah)
54. JBiden and KHarris…big time
55. and their families ^
56. new neighborhood acquaintances
57. dogs. dogs. dogs. 
58. time in nature
59. sky blue pink
60. cameras + photos + videos
61. journalists + freedom of the press
62. tortilla chips (yum.)
63. my relationships
64. the shattering of perceived timelines
65. people who are patient with me
66. all my mental tools
67. winter where it’s warm
68. backpacking. alpine lakes.
69. new cities. old friends. a new tattoo.
70. holiday at the lake. forever friends.
71. cousin time. road trips. PNW.
72. time, resources, privilege to keep learning
73. activism, freedom of speech + demonstration
74. the places we return to that don’t change
75. and those that do
76. linen 
77. no shoes while working (since March!)
78. pesto. ya. so yum.
79. siblings + siblings-of-circumstance
80. working with brilliant, kind people
81. Instagram (love/hate. but love.)
82. people who tell me when I’m wrong
83. my height (weird. but true.)
84. Anthony FLIPPIN Fauci 
85. dinners outside with friends
86. strong local gvt 
87. serendipity
88. chances to change my mind
89. journaling + writing
90. big, fun earrings
91. my parents’ generosity + love
92. social services (the mail, garbage)
93. libraries
94. Amazon Prime (JBezos, I don’t like u, but…)
95. models of vulnerability
96. music
97. friends that are family
98. the growth that sprouts from grief
99. opportunities to share + receive
100. the twisted blessing of experiencing this year. history. this moment in time.

Of course, after I wrote this list in my journal, additions came to mind. Namely: our military and veterans, planes and cars and bridges (can you imagine a world without them?), museums, [mostly] reliable WiFi, firefighters, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, National Parks and State Parks and ALL the outdoor spaces.