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.

I appreciate:

• The fresh smell of newly cut grass. Mmmmmmm.
• Knowing so many amazing indie musicians. Today’s soundtrack courtesy of Connor Garvey.
• My office buddies, cheering me on!

I appreciate:

• Unexpected connections between people from different times in my life. I always find this so delightful!
• The chance to see some of the Avalon senior presentations (including Mckenzie’s) today. Hearing what these kids do in their 300-hour projects is truly awesome (in the original sense of the word) and inspiring.
• Avalon charter school It has been such a big, wonderful part of our lives for the past 8 years. It’s hard to believe we won’t have a student there after June…

I appreciate:

• The fabulously fresh smell after it rains.
• My great, good fortune in having such a brilliant array of amazing friends – and even better – the chance to spend time with both Burcin and Kari in one day! I really am one of the luckiest people on the planet.
• The moment of relief I feel when I settle back into my “real” self – the one who can accept that things are as they are and that all will be well.

I appreciate:

• A good thunderstorm and a nice drenching rain.
• Newly sharpened knives. They work so much better this way!
• The process of learning how I do things (to use in improv). How DO I hold a spoon, open a cupboard, pour a glass of wine? It’s so interesting (and harder than I expected) to try to recreate these actions without the actual objects!
• Oh, plus I am deeply, deeply grateful for good friends. Especially when they bring the most beautiful child in the universe with them and write a song for us on the way over!!

I appreciate:

• My massive pile of pillows and my comfy couch.
• Knowing that really, really good days are ahead.
• My heroic hubby, Patrick Boyle, driving me around, running errands I’d planned to run, taking care of the house, and still, somehow, being pleased that I’m just hanging out on the couch instead of helping.

I appreciate:

• Knowing that if I keep looking for things to appreciate and for good-feeling thoughts I’ll eventually find them.
• Having kids whom I not only love, but also genuinely like and admire — and who are even willing to hang out with me, still.
• The casio calculator I’ve had since high school. I know I’ve appreciated it before, but it’s on my desk and I’m appreciating it again. I like the way it reminds me of high school math (which I loved) and gives me a sense of connection from that version of me to today’s version.