Some years ago, I decided to try to post one gratitude each day on Facebook. It might have been the last time that the world seemed out of control and bleak. Posting each day became a way to live more aware of all the things, and people I am grateful for.

I didn’t try to do it again but when a recovery friend started 30 days of Gratitude on November 1 this year, I found myself making my own gratitude list…..

• My AA district had their gratitude dinner where over 250 folks gathered and celebrated the over 4000 years of recovery in AA and Alanon. The member with the most years had 54! And he presented a signed Big Book to the person with the least (7 days).
• The foodbank where I volunteer has doubled the number of people seeking help just in this last week. I am grateful to my community that has already stepped up with more than a thousand items of food to help our neighbors. The number of volunteers has increased as well.
• The temperatures in AZ have moderated and I am grateful for cooler temps to walk in the morning.
• Thousands of butterflies are around now; I am in awe and grateful to see them and I think of them as loved ones I’ve lost coming to say hello.
• I have made good new friends easily through AA in just a few years. The women in AA have helped me so much. I can always find a home with AA.
• I am grateful for FaceTime so I can see my grandkids every week even though they live miles away.
• I love getting my first grader grandson’s letter to me that he wrote himself!
• Watching a newcomer in my home group get her 30-day chip!
• The view out my back patio on the night of the full moon.
• Taking a ceramics class and knowing the teachers are so helpful with my attempts.
• Finding my cell phone each and every time I can’t find it in my home – I say thank you each time!
• My women friends of over 43 years who have stay connected and visit each month even though we now live in different places.
• Zoom – for all the ways I can stay in touch with people and go to meetings at any time of the day or night.  

Libbie S.