Gratitude

It's a beautiful day in Baghdad. Blue sky, fresh air. Quiet. A break from work.

We ran the embassy turkey trot this morning. E was unabashed that he was in it for the t-shirt. I was there for many reasons, but found extra joy in our running together today. He did try to shake me near the end, but I hung in close and powered through.

Now I'm in the sun-filled living room, cheeks still flushed from the run (even a shower and an hour later). Don't have to be anywhere yet for a bit. Can just be and breathe a little. As I sit here, the space around me is filling with gratitude:

for family and friends nearby in our hearts.
that family and friends are able to celebrate together.
for jobs, that are--more often than not--also vocations.
for jobs in this economy.
for a day off.
for all the Thanksgivings we've had together.
that we've been able to spend this time in Iraq together.
that we won't always be this far away from home.
for the people we're meeting here.
for those who make me stop during the day and reassess a prejudgment.
for the abundance of good food.
for the convenience and unavoidable proximity of a beautiful gym.
for the slightly tacky and hugely extravagant holiday lights that just went up on "Main Street."
for good books. And Kindles to read them on.
for photographs. I've lately come to realize how inadequate my mind is for keeping memories, and have a new appreciation for those keepsake visual reminders of experiences had and shared.
for movies and tv shows that help us unwind after another stress-filled day.
for fun, brave, strong, resilient colleagues.
for social media that allow us to communicate globally at will for free.
for morning naps.
for the time to take a moment and think on all these things and much much more that make life better.

Grateful grateful grateful grateful.