Shannon R. Brown

It’s an absolutely gorgeous day. I would love nothing more than to sit in my backyard, sip on a cold beverage and revel in the gloriousness that is the last few days of spring in North Texas. Unfortunately, my sinuses and spring don’t get along, so I’m inside with Stella and Boomhauer. The pups are grounded as well due to the roofers next door. It would be easy to slip into a malaise, but I have decided to counter the negativity with thanksgiving. Count your blessings and all that. So here goes.

1. I’m thankful for stuffy sinuses because it reminds me that I can breathe.
2. I’m thankful for dog hair all over my house/furniture/bed/clothes/food, etc. because it means I’m never lonely
3. I’m thankful for a laptop that lets me write my silly little blog posts quickly & without having to use a typewriter.
4. I’m thankful for Spotify because life without music is not something I want to experience.
5. I’m thankful for the dirty dishes I’m ignoring because it means I have food to eat.
6. I’m thankful tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo because I love chips, salsa & margaritas.
7. I’m thankful that Stella just climbed up and sat on my laptop because it means she loves me.
8. I’m thankful for emojis because they bring me joy.
9. I’m thankful for Snapchat because I get to see my girl everyday.
10. I’m thankful for some guy in some far away, long ago place that decided to roast beans and then pour hot water over them thus discovering the magical substance that is coffee. Because coffee is life giving, and life preserving for those that cross paths with me in the morning.
11. I’m thankful for books because they allow me to walk in the shoes of their characters and see/experience things I had never imagined possible.
12. I’m thankful for rope toys because they keep the dogs busy when I need to get work done.
13. I’m thankful for text messages because I hate talking on the phone.
14. I’m thankful for non-scrubbing tub & tile cleaners because I’m lazy.
15. I’m thankful for people that love my kids because we all need more love in our lives.
16. I’m thankful for friends that are willing to be co-conspirators because we have lots of fun.
17. I’m thankful for the friends that keep me from killing the annoying people and doing the illegal things, because I don’t think I’d like jail very much.
18. I’m thankful for ice packs, because I’m a klutz.
19. I’m thankful for chocolate, because chocolate.
20. I’m thankful for airplanes because they keep the lights on at my house and take me to see the world.
21. I’m thankful for ceiling fans because when you live in the 6^th circle of hell that is Texas in summer, they’re a necessity.
22. I’m thankful for blankets and sweaters because I’m always freezing in grocery stores and restaurants.
23. I’m thankful for toothbrushes and mint toothpaste because I love the feeling of a fresh, clean mouth.
24. I’m thankful to you dear reader for making it all the way through this writer’s block induced list.

So there you have it, my walk on the sunny side of the street. If you’re feeling stranded on the shadowy side, come on over and join me. It’s a beautiful day to be alive.