Gratitude

It’s 8PM and 62 degrees in late October, and I’m in my front yard, because I forgot to bring the trash cans up after trash pickup today.

My neighborhood is 3/4 of a century old, and the tall pines and live oaks and southern magnolias that fill our neighborhood mean that it’s mostly green year round. They reach for the sky, these trees do, and hold you, letting you know that you are protected, safe, loved.

I understand that there are people who live where there are not trees. It’s important to learn early in life that not everyone has the advantages you do.

As I was standing on the edge of the road in my quiet, verdant street, I looked up toward the sky and just felt gratitude. I love it here, and wouldn’t care to live anywhere else.