(And although this isn\u2019t a current event, I\u2019m grateful to my daughters, whose persistent dog lobbying brought Button into our lives for 15 years.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Two weeks into my gratitude journal, one of the things I wrote was \u201cFeeling way less depressed.\u201d Though the ritual of giving thanks surely helped, there were other things at play as well: I\u2019d resumed weekly therapy after cutting back; the post-cancer scans that always make me nervous were clear; I finally followed through on my intention to volunteer; my weight finally started heading in the right direction; things started to go better for the Democrats; the summer drought of movies yielded to a fresh crop of Oscar worthies; our actual drought yielded (a little) to rain and the promise of more to come.<\/p>\n

There is always more to come. \u00a0Assuming El Nino delivers on its promise, I look forward to jotting down my gratitude for SUN! SUN! SUN!<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how it goes, the chiaroscuro of darkness and light that makes up life\u2019s full spectrum.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m grateful for it all.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

Ever felt (or promoted) the prohibition on negative feelings? How\u2019d it go? What are you grateful for? <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"