How To Be A Grateful Human
A different kind of instruction manual
Say thank you when your eyes open in the morning, your legs swing over the side of the bed, and you can walk to the kitchen. Take a deep breath and smell the coffee beans before you put them in the pot — and say thank you that you get to brew a fresh cup with hot, clean water. Say thank you when you open your refrigerator and find it full of food. When the bill for your mortgage or rent comes due and you don’t panic about how you’ll pay it. When you can go to the doctor and not worry about whether or not your health insurance will cover it. Say thank you when your people come over for dinner, and you lose track of time as you eat, and drink, and laugh around the table. When the sounds that the babies and toddlers make in your life are primarily laughter. When you know that your spouse and children are safe asleep in their bed. Say thank you when you get to consume music that makes you feel. When you see a sunset. When you gaze at the moon above and catch a shooting star. Say thank you when you go to bed at night, and know you have given it your all. That you didn’t hesitate to say I appreciate you. I miss you. I love you. I’m here. And when you wake in the morning, say thank you that you get to begin again.
If you enjoyed this piece, check out my debut poetry collection, “The Poetry of Things: poems for the tough & tender moments of life” — now available via Bottlecap Press.
