Being Thankful for the Little Things

Here is my obligatory Thanksgiving post:

Over the last few days, I have been able to do some very simple and basic things. I treated a friend and myself to burritos. I put new batteries in a couple of watches; now I can wear my watches for the first time in a couple of years. I bought a few DVD’s for my daughter to help her learn to read. I renewed a piece of licensure that I let lapse months ago. I bought three books on subjects that interest me.

What is so special about all of these things, you may ask? Anyone should be able to do them easily. Well, I couldn’t do these things a few weeks ago without someone’s help. I was able to do everything under my own steam and it means the world to me. It feels good to just be able to get some small personal things done for myself without anyone else’s input.

I never knew how important it was to me to be able to take care of little things until I lost the capability. Now it is like the first warm day in spring. I really can’t overestimate how it makes me feel or how grateful that I am for the opportunity to do it. Sometimes, even the smallest taste of freedom or room to maneuver is enough to change your perspective and make you feel enthusiastic about life.