I appreciate:

• The smell of lilacs. Just yum.
• The weird way “bad” things are always entwined with something good. Even though I miss Cimmy and wish she hadn’t been so sick, since she felt crummy, she wasn’t overly fussy about where to pee…which means we’re having the couch professionally cleaned….which is something I’d intended to do anyway.
• The excitement of waiting for my new business cards and labels to arrive. Yes, I think dumb stuff like that is fun!
• The thrill of realizing I thought ahead about something. My June appreciation spreadsheet was ALREADY SET UP! Thank you, past Diana.

I appreciate:

• Unexpected invites to lunch. Thank you, Alison Dermer, that was fun!
• Having a friend like David, who knows more about coding than I do, and who is willing to save me countless hours of frustration by teaching me stuff. That 30 minutes was WAY faster than me figuring out which id tag in the CSS controlled the header placement!
• Firebug, for making my job SO much easier. The Brave New Workshop Student Union‘s stage match last night. What a fun show!

I appreciate:

• The amazing friendships I’m privileged to have – some of which began decades ago and continue to deepen and expand, and some of which are brand-new bright, shiny lights in my life. I am humbled by my incredible good fortune and so grateful for the love.
• The stupid fun of hanging out at the American Legion (yes, you read that right) with my improv-mates last night. (Thank you for the fun distraction Alison, Sarah, Nick, Danny, Madhu, Michael, Daniel, Lisa…) Besides, where else could we have met the delightful and helpful Toe-knee Toe-knee Tone??
• The fact that despite my advancing years, I can still survive a mid-week late night. Sort of.

I appreciate:

• My sweet kitty Cimmy, for being such a love from the moment she came into our lives — and for her willingness to make it completely obvious that she’s ready to go. I actually needed that.
• My sweet friends for understanding how I feel and for not minding my tears.
• The lovely distraction of class tonight with brilliantly funny people.

I appreciate:

• My new Norwex Enviro Cloth. Holy moly are my windows clean! And my fridge! And my counters!
• The momentum to continue to de-clutter my life (physically and mentally). Freedom!
• Talking with my kids about improv. How fun that they’re trying it out, too!

I appreciate:

• Being so well-loved by so many people. Thank you for the hugs and emails and texts and hand-holding and tolerance of me in complaining mode. You are the most beautiful, generous people ever.
• Having enough sense to realize that I don’t have to do everything on my to-do list today!
• Raspberry Dark Chocolate Truffle Bars.

I appreciate:

• The wonderful distraction of improv classes today – and the cool new tools in my improv kit!
• My wonderful kids who are helping take care of Cimmy (and me!) during this rough time.
• Going to bed early. Sleep!

I appreciate:

• That I finished something that’s been on my to-do list for 3 1/2 weeks. Yay!
• That Cimmy is still with us today – and that this morning she drank a little water and even managed a tiny little purr.
• The comforting sounds of home: lawn mower, guitar, laughter. My good life.

I’m not sure Cimmy is going to make it through the weekend and I’m truly devastated at the thought of losing her. So here is a tiny little list of what I appreciate about her:

• I appreciate 13 years with the most friendly, cuddly, funny, beautiful cat I’ve ever had.
• I appreciate her yowly way of saying hello and her big green eyes.
• I appreciate the fact that she sometimes believes herself a dog and takes herself on walks with us.
• I appreciate her annoying insistence on being pet.
• I appreciate her ability to comfort all of us and her good kitty heart. What a love. Every day we get to spend with her is a gift.

I appreciate:

• The brilliant, bright sunshine today.
• Our amazing and beautiful cat, Cimmy.
• Patrick, for being willing to be the one to administer the subcutaneous fluids to help her kidneys — and letting me just be the petter & comforter.