Berkeley Independent
Sometimes I forget to be grateful. Okay, most of the time I forget to be grateful.
I have everything that matters—more than I ever dreamed of, actually. But so often I focus on what I don’t have. Maybe that’s human nature. Or maybe that’s just me, spoiled and seldom satisfied. (Insert swift kick to rear here.)
George Clooney will never call, but I’m grateful for the husband who reaches over to hold my hand at 3 a.m.
I don’t have a passport stamped with exotic destinations, but I’m grateful for the hospitality of friends.
I don’t have children, but I do have 1,019 books. And a really cute dog.
I don’t have a showplace home in which visitors wander around slack-jawed. But I’m grateful for the worn linoleum in my kitchen, because it’s an extra layer between me and the fire ants under the house.
I don’t have a big TV, but I’m glad I’d rather read anyway.
I don’t have and will never have Yard of the Month, unless Astroturf is considered a perennial. But I’m grateful for the man Widdle pays to mow our lawn--he runs a mean weedeater.
I’ll never win a beauty pageant, but I’m grateful for the beautician who beats my hair into submission.
I don’t have a lot of money, but I’m grateful that our income exceeds our expenses.
I don’t have a sports car or a maid. But I love my battered Ford Explorer, whose worn leather seat molds perfectly to my posterior. And I’m grateful for a husband who vacuums the whole house—without being asked--after he’s worked a 12-hour day.
I miss my father, but I’m grateful that he taught me how to be kind.
I’ll never be 5 feet 8 with legs up to my chin, but I’m grateful for my flawed body because A) my husband likes it and B) much like my Explorer, it still gets me where I want to go.
I don’t have a Pulitzer Prize, but I’ve had a long, wonderful run in the newspaper business. It’s the greatest show on earth.
I’m not a great Christian—I hope no one ever follows my example--but I’m forgiven.
I don’t have an ideal relationship with my mother, but I’m grateful that she pushed me to be independent.
I don’t have perfect vision, but I’m grateful for bifocal contacts. (Even if they do make me feel drunk at 8 a.m.)
I don’t have patience, but I’m grateful for a good sense of humor.
I don’t have smooth social skills, but I’m grateful for tolerant friends who say, “You can’t take her anywhere, but she means well.”
I’m not famous, but I’m grateful I’m not Sarah Palin. Or Levi Johnston.
I don’t have 300-thread-count sheets, but I’m grateful for my soft feather bed.
I don’t live in a fancy resort area, but I’m grateful for no drive-by shootings.
I can’t paint, sew, cook, draw or knit, but I’m grateful for the creativity of those who can.
I don’t speak a second language, but I’m grateful for subtitles.
I don’t have an exciting rock-star lifestyle, but at least I’m not in rehab.
Julie R. Smith, who appreciates her entire life, can be reached at widdleswife@aol.com.
Berkeleyind.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Berkeleyind.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Berkeleyind.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by reading our terms and conditions, and then signing up below!
- Most Viewed
- Most Commented
- Dorchester deputies arrest four, seize $300,000 worth of marijuana
- SC deputies seize $64,000 in gambling raid
- Ex-SC deacon gets 4 extra years behind bars
- Two SC firefighters charged with setting fires
- Navy station chief in SC charged with soliciting
- SC senators to discuss healthy meals in schools
- Two arrested in drug bust
- Horry County police officer arrested at SC home
- Icy mess heading to much of SC
- SC youth director faces child sex charges
- SC youth director faces child sex charges (2)
- SC legislators could ban texting while driving (2)
- SC woman, NC man plead not guilty in racing deaths (1)
- SC woman found hanged in jail (1)
- SC Gov. Sanford's shadow looms in debate (1)
- Horry County police officer arrested at SC home (1)
- Navy station chief in SC charged with soliciting (1)
- SC deputies seize $64,000 in gambling raid (1)
- Ill Wisconsin girl visits koala at SC zoo (1)
- Two SC police officers fired after remarks (0)
- Dolphins defensive tackle Tony McDaniel arrested
- SC-based Coast Guard cutter heads to Haiti
- SC police officer charged with hitting girlfriend
- Two SC police officers fired after remarks
- SC's Sanford seeks stimulus funds for schools
- SC woman, NC man plead not guilty in racing deaths
- SC State, former president settle lawsuit
- SC lawyer killed, police say suspect shot himself
- Two SC officers injured in shootout, suspect hurt
- John Mayer puts on free concert for SC fans
- EPA seeks applications for environmental community grants
- Green Products That Save You Green
- Switch to energy efficient appliances pays off for St. George resident
- 8 Green Ways to Winterize
- Taking a Proactive Approach to Being Earth-Friendly
- New Year's Resolutions Can Benefit the Environment
- Easy Ways to Improve Air Quality
- HMS students compete in national environmental challenge