When you measure a couple feet tall and weigh a mere 17 pounds, life and all it has to offer must seem immense. I tell myself this as Mary wakes me up to play at 4:30 in the morning; and when she declares thirty minutes long enough for a nap. I'm presuming the new sites and sounds, tastes and touches, songs and dances that await her are far too exciting to sleep through. When you couple that inertia with a first time experience in the city that never sleeps; when you layer that enthusiasm with the speed, noise, and decadence of New York City; and when on top of that you execute the standard non-stop, whirlwind agenda that my parents are famous for; you might have an inkling of how exhausted I am this evening.
But despite my body's desire to curl up in bed right now, the bright lights of the big city are still shining, not only keeping me awake, but spotlighting just how precious my life and all the people in it are. And since I missed documenting most of November and with it, 30 chances to give thanks, I decided to use my long weekend in Manhattan as the backdrop for a little litany, outlining my seemingly countless blessings.
Here are 30 things, in no particular order, that I'm thankful for:
1. The black Lululemon hat with a special hole for my ponytail that Peter got me for Christmas a couple years ago.But despite my body's desire to curl up in bed right now, the bright lights of the big city are still shining, not only keeping me awake, but spotlighting just how precious my life and all the people in it are. And since I missed documenting most of November and with it, 30 chances to give thanks, I decided to use my long weekend in Manhattan as the backdrop for a little litany, outlining my seemingly countless blessings.
Here are 30 things, in no particular order, that I'm thankful for:
2. Art museums.
3. Restaurants with impeccable service.
4. Olay Night Repair Cream and the energy God gives me to get through another sleepless night.
5. Christmas lights.
6. Mary's laugh.
7. The ability to put one foot in front of the other and run, run, RUN through Central Park.
8. Reclamation projects.
9. French bistros, French bread, and French 75s.
10. Hugs that warm you from the inside, out.
11. Parades, marching bands and Peter's commentary on them.
12. A job that I love and people I love working with.
13. My health.
14. Elevators and handicap accessible ramps.
15. Back rubs.
16. San Pellegrino sparkling water.
17. Park views and the people that have them.
18. Babysitters and day care teachers.
19. Thoughtfulness wrapped up in a really amazing piece of gourmet chocolate.
20. Chubby cheeks.
21. God, my faith, and multiple Mass times.
22. The 21 Club's corn bread.
23. Sisters.
24. And friends that seem like sisters.
25. Nap time.
26. Immediate family, extended family, family jokes and my brother's ability to deliver them.
27.Markets and all the fresh food they have to offer.
28. Friendships that will get passed on to future generations.
30. Life, liberty, and happiness.
Lo.
