I am grateful for the Canadian medical care system.

I am grateful for a visit at a friend’s new place. It’s really nice, and after a tumultuous couple years, it’s great to see him land in a home that suits him so well. Then we had lunch for the first time in a while, and I counted myself lucky for having the friends that I do.

I am grateful for time spent with my family at a taco place this evening for Taco Tuesday.

I am grateful for time spent outside with my lads while they scooted up and down the street on their scooters, joined by other neighbourhood kids and parents. One showed up with a pogo stick, which Coop adored. I am grateful there’s at least one night a week where one kid or another doesn’t have some activity planned, and things like that can just happen.

I am grateful for time spent while 2 family members drew and the other 2 read in the living room this evening.

I am grateful for a lazy morning.

I am grateful for the second hand market through websites like usedvictoria.com, and for a new to us kick scooter for Farley.

I am grateful for Cooper, who was upset that Farley was getting a scooter from us even though he’d just bought a fancy new one with money he’d saved, but after a very short while accepted it in stride and enjoyed scooting up and down our street with Farl.

I am grateful for a day for gratitude.

I am grateful for a Thanksgiving dinner with 8 of my favourite people all around the table.

I am grateful for the effect the federal election has on the level of engagement in dialogue in my community. Good and interesting conversations seem to abound in my life these days.

I am grateful for the sound of Farley singing to himself while he plays in the other room.

I am grateful for Cooper, who is one of the engaged participants in the conversations I mentioned I’ve been having these days.

I am grateful for time spent decompressing with Julie in the hillbilly hot tub this evening.

I am grateful for a day of painting, a great time at lunch with my old pal Judd, and an evening of burgers and swimming with my lads. That was a full day, and I’m pooped, but it was a great one