Once again, I share my monthly gratitude list.

Today is July 15th, and here are 15 things for which I am most grateful (absolutely in NO particular order):

1. Dorah’s answer to this question during a recent media interview: “What makes you happy?”  She said, “My dad makes me happy.  When we’re together, we laugh a LOT!”
2. Hearing this on the telephone: “I miss you, Daddy.”  It’s one of those moments that feels both happy and sad at once.
3. Nuanced spiritual moments that are at once joyful and sad.
4. Fans.
5. Finally reaching decisions in complicated, heart-deep issues.  The feeling of closure is so warm.
6. The little red tomatoes on my tomato plant.
7. Great medical results coming in about my kids.
8. Being able to see into the future (embodied in my kids), and allowing that to ease the burden of today.
9. The “undo” button.  I wish I had one of those is real life sometimes.
10. Toothpaste and toothbrushes.  Who came up with these things?  Did the convo start with something like: “You know, wouldn’t it be great if we had little-tiny brushes to scrub our teeth?”
11. Posing for photos with my kids—because I know that no one will be looking at me anyway.
12. Emails of support from friends ahead of my dissertation proposal defense next week.  (Gulp.)
13. Silly jokes like: What do you call a lazy, baby Kangaroo?  A pouch potato.
14. Not feeling bad for misspelling potato every time.
15. My kids.