In these times

I have been profoundly aware of my good fortune lately.

I walk in this beautiful but freezing cold weather and thoughts assail me from every direction.

How lucky I am to live in a safe place where no one is bombing the streets.

How fortunate I am to have an apartment that is warm with a good bed and so much more.

How wonderful it is to be able to buy the food that I want to eat and is healthy for me.

It occurs to me that one of the signs that I am truly one of those blessed, for lack of another word, people who can not only afford very good shoes, but when they feel worn out to me, I can put the brand new insole I took out for my orthotics back into them and give them away knowing there are people in this world who will be glad to have them -- even this way.

I can pay my bills, read books that I love, decorate for the holidays, buy presents for Christmas, volunteer at a job I love, spend time with my daughter, talk with my son and Bestest, and send good thoughts to my other son.

In these times, or any times, these are bedrock pleasures.