9 Simple things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving

It’s Thanksgiving Day in America and I am more thankful than I ever thought I could be. This will be our first holiday in our new (old) house, and we’re looking forward to many more. I’ve been thinking about our good fortune and the many, many things I’m thankful for this holiday season.

1) My husband and kids: Granted, this one goes without saying, but seriously I’m so thankful that I’m surrounded by three of the most wonderful human beings on our planet.

2) Running water: On our journey, I considered myself extremely fortunate when we were able to camp next to a river or lake. The idea of an endless supply of water was like manna from heaven. Now I have water every day with the simple turn of a handle. Bliss! I’ll be even more thankful when I can also get hot water with a simple turn of a handle. Someday that’ll happen. I hope.

3) A toilet: Simple pleasure, I know, but a very important one. I’ll also be thankful for a shower if we ever get one in the house.

4) An address: A friend asked for my address the other day and I just jotted it down like it was nothing major. But gosh – you have no idea how wonderful it was to be able to give out our address without having to search and scrounge for a place to have something sent to.

5) Grocery stores: Yes, we found plenty of grocery stores on our journey and we never went without food, but it’s awesomely decadent to know where the store is and to know where to find things in said store. It’s also quite the concept to be able to predict what I’ll find in the store when I walk in.

6) A stove: It’s magic. Pure, unadulterated magic. I walk to the kitchen, turn a knob, and a burner magically heats up my water. No more hauling out the stove and fuel bottle and clearing a spot on the ground. I just turn a knob and cook. Incredible.

7) Boy Scouts and robotics clubs and awesome schools: Davy and Daryl are immersing themselves in the best Boise has to offer and are having a blast. They are only taking a few classes through the public school and are learning tons there. Boy Scouts has been a wonderful opportunity for them and they’ve recently signed up for a robotics club. It’s looking like these teen years will be rich and challenging for them!

8) My beads: I know it’s a “thing” and I’ve been trying to minimize the amount of things in my life, but my beads are special indeed. I’m so happy to be reunited with them I find I can’t even focus on my beadwork. Instead, I find myself fondling each little bead and thinking about when and where I discovered it. A simple thing; a lot of pleasure.

9) My blog: I wasn’t sure what would happen with my blog once we finished our journey, but I’ve found I’ve enjoyed writing posts more so now than when we were on the road. Rather than daily entries recounting our adventures, I’ve focused on lessons learned along the way – and it’s been great to reflect upon that. I’m also thankful for the tremendous support I’ve felt from our readers around the world. Each time I write a post or send out a newsletter, I receive many comments via email, Facebook and Twitter. I’m so thankful for knowing we’ve got that support across the globe.

I asked my sons what they were thankful for. Here are their responses. (Pinky swear that I didn’t help them on this at all! As I headed out the door to buy a shower curtain for the shower that might, possibly, be ready to use at some point in the not-too-distant future, I asked the boys to make a list of things they were grateful for. This is what I found upon my return.)

Daryl: I’m thankful for a toilet, internet, a kindle, a house, and a loving mother that cares about me more than anything else.

Davy: I’m thankful for a caring mom, a house, food, and water.

Clearly, we see the beauty in the simple things of life.