Each week (I aim for Thursday), I’ll use this space to list five things (items, experiences, people, whatever) for which I’ve been recently grateful. Consider it my “blessings count”. Ann Voskamp’s famous challenge to list 1000 gifts seemed daunting — I’m committing to 500, a two-year venture from when I started last week!

1) Guacamole
I’m looking at a bowl of the great green stuff as I type. My wife turned an avocado into a bowl of creamy, garlicky goodness with her magic wand, and it’s easy to be grateful for.

2) Feet
Today we took our girls skating for the first time. One loved it; the other not so much. I was reminded of all the marks of learning this winter skill — pushed-beyond-the-limit balance, dependence on another (me in this case), and sore feet. But there’s something pleasant to me about having skates tightly tied, compacting feet inside those bladed boots. And for whatever reason, slipping my skates off made me think, “Man, I’m glad I have feet to hold my skates in place!”

3) Frozen
For “family night”, we rented this movie off of our Apple TV. It’s cute with some great songs, and it tickled my daughters’ hearts. And that tickles mine!

4) Water
When given a list of drink options, the most classic choice on the menu is not typically mine. But this glass beside me with its few ice cubes inside — it’s hitting the spot. And the heated version that will spray on to my head before bed tonight — I’m particularly fond of it!

5) Chiropractors
Two weeks ago, in our hockey finale, I damaged/tore some cartilage in my ribs. It was terribly tender for a week. One week later, it’s nearly healed up, thanks to a perceptive chiropractor and his trusty ultrasound gun. Consider me amazed!

YOUR TURN: Your input makes this post better!

• Did any of this week’s list especially strike a chord with you?
• What’s one thing you’re particularly grateful for this week?

[You can subscribe to this blog via RSS or email, in the upper right corner of this page.]