thanks

I am grateful for many a thing this Thanksgiving. I do my share of whining and bitching, it's true, but not a day goes by that I am not aware what a lucky little beeyotch I really am. There are days when gratitude is hard - when the subway decides not to run, for example - but just because I don't always verbalize it doesn't mean that it isn't there.

Here's the short list of what I am grateful for in 2009.

I am grateful for my health and my husband's health.

I am grateful for my husband, who is the love of my life, my best friend, and my biggest fan.

I am grateful for my dear and wonderful friends, who have gotten me through quitting smoking and buying a house, which is more than anyone should have to bear!

I am grateful for my family.

I am grateful for theater, for art, for music, for all the intangible things that come from the ether and cannot be quantified.

I am grateful that Barack Obama is our president and not John McCain. I am even more grateful that Sarah Palin is not our VP. No matter how disappointing President Obama has been, I still think we're better off.

I am grateful to the surgeon who was able to fix my mom's nerve issue and restore her mobility.

I am grateful to still be employed.

I am grateful that I was able to buy an apartment when so many others have lost their homes. It's a humbling feeling.

I am grateful to the bakery down the street, who's delicious pastries were cigarette substitutes and a constant force of good in a sometimes evil year.

I am grateful to myself for quitting smoking. I did a good thing for me, even if I don't agree with myself that it was a good thing sometimes!!

I am grateful to the good people at Stouffer's for Lean Cuisine.

I am grateful to the city of Chicago for housing two of my best friends on earth, and giving me an excuse to get out of dodge every so often.

I am grateful for Starbucks. Even though their coffee is not that good, it is highly caffeinated and available.

I am grateful for all the amazing theater I saw this year and for all the people out there making it.

I am grateful that I have the ability to create theater, and I am grateful to the people who nuture me and allow me to do it.

I don't think I'm speaking for myself here, but even if I am, I am grateful that 2009 is coming to a close. While my year was not even REMOTELY as bad as some people's year, it was still a year of mediocrity and disappointment for me and it was hard for me to watch some of my friends and loved ones suffer so greatly.

Mostly, my dear readers, I am grateful to you. This blog has been a wonderful outlet for me over the past three years and I have gotten the chance to meet and talk to so many amazing people because of it. I am humbled and flattered every day that there was enough interest for me to feel it was worth it to keep this thing going. I appreciate all of you more than I can say. You are my online support system and silent partners in my stupid little life. I wish all of you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Eat and drink yourselves stupid. You're freaking awesome and you deserve it.