The majestic Coronado Bridge.

What a week! Sunday brought the terrible news of the loss of Julius, one of my kids in Uganda. (Selah.)

Then came the grand news that Dorah (age 20, one of my oldest) impressed the embassy and was issued a scholar’s visa to come to San Diego for the summer institute where she is a fellow.

Then the tragic news of a friend’s loss, and of a knife attack on the manager at AidChild’s Olubugo on her way home from work.

Sitting here with a heavy heart, I realized that the timing couldn’t be better for me to populate my monthly gratitude list. In times of darkness, even a flicker of gratitude illuminates and shines.

The number of my list matches the day’s date. Today is May 18th, and here is a list of 18 things I’m grateful for, should it be of interest (in no particular order):

1. Bridges. Often soaring and majestic, they serve as such brilliant metaphors for seemingly impossible connections and journeys.
2. Connections and journeys.
3. That my kids picked orange as the color of Julius’ flag. (If you don’t know about our flags, click here.)
4. That the manager at AidChild’s Olubugo is recovering from successful surgery after the terrible knife attack yesterday.
5. Mobile technology, another seemingly impossible bridge. I can only imagine what comes next.
6. What comes next.
7. Emails and texts from my kids, sharing when they’re happy, reaching out when they’re in need.
8. My parents.  Generous, smart, hardworking, good.  (Mom’s birthday is tomorrow.)
9. Watering my plants.
10. The combination of warm-sun and cool-breezes. Their duality is a Divine wonder.
11. Divine wonders.
12. The ritual of lighting a candle when saying a prayer.
13. Watching as hope-petals reopen in wilting hearts.
14. Giving things away.
15. Receiving.
16. Having friends I can call on in times of need.
17. A cheery voice on the other end of the telephone.
18. My kids.