Thankful

It's Thanksgiving, which we don't celebrate officially in Australia. We don't have the cultural history behind the holiday but I think it's still a great idea to think about things for which we are thankful.

So, in no particular order, here are 20 things for which I give great thanks:

• God, who loves me passionately, without reservation and without ceasing.
• Flannelette sheets, a hot water bottle and a good book on a cold and rainy winter evening.
• Soft, fresh white bread.
• My church.
  
• People who ask "how are you?" and really want to know the answer.
• Tulips.
• The internet, which has allowed me to 'meet' some great people from all over the world.
• Awesome apricot jam made by that lady at church.
• My job, which doesn't pay particularly well and will never bring me glory, but which brings me great joy.
• My day off, which also brings me great joy!
• Vanilla-scented candles.
• Poetry that shows me ideas I'd never considered; that speaks the thoughts I am unable to articulate; that shocks me; and that makes me laugh.
• Purple pens.
• My home which, although I only rent it, is a comfortable haven.
• Notebooks with thick paper and no lines.
  
• My vegetable garden.
• A good counsellor; and an excellent health system in Australia that enabled me to get appropriate help at the right time.
  
• Very ripe (but not over-ripe) nectarines.
• Music.
• My fantastic friends.