Well today I was having one of those days and I decided to stop for a coffee instead of taking the time to make one and I met Gabe. The baby-faced barista likely not much older then my own son with his handmade, graffiti-like name tag (adorable!) and it was the simplest thing really. He was just taking my coffee order and preparing it for me, but his smile was so bright, his conversation so genuine. No. I know what you're thinking. Not like he was gunning for barista of the month, not like he was reciting the Starbucks script from his employee handbook, not like a scene from the Graduate (Google it kids; it's a classic), but like the most pleasant, polite kid who was happy and it came through loud and clear and it completely changed my day. I drove away and felt instantly elevated. The sun was shining, my coffee was warm, the music was playing and I felt thankful for a hundred good things.
...Today I am thankful for:
family in all its many forms: the ones we are born into, the family’s we create when we leave our own, the families that find us; the people who have claimed us, love us, nurture us and protect us.
for my friends and my spouse, for my children
for my siblings that were my first friends
for many teachers (school and other) who engaged and inspired me to read and study and learn more about the world and others, and about myself; who challenged me to work harder, who saw things in me I was unable to see in myself, who elevated me in such a way that in turn I am able to elevate others
for books to read and art to appreciate and music to fill our souls
for good food to eat and prepare and meals to share with friends and family-- to smell and taste, experiment with and appreciate in all it’s colour and complexity
for access to information and world news and science and technology in all it’s amazing and continual advancements
for warm beds and homes and clothes
for health and wellness
for things that grow and seasons that change
for all those who are tolerant and kind, for those who are open to change and differences, for those who can disagree with others and still be kind and respectful to everyone
for those that make me laugh and those that have so much energy there is enough for me too
for all those in our community who work long and irregular hours to serve us, protect us and maintain our city and our streets doing jobs and providing services every day we often take for granted
for diverse, engaged communities with plentiful resources and generous members
for hardships and heartbreak that remind me how vulnerable and strong we can be
for parents who brought me up to be generous of my time and my abilities and to be grateful for the many good things I have
For all the Gabes out there who make our coffee, bag our groceries, hold the door, make us feel happy just by being happy themselves; Thank-you.