Gratitude, not Attitude

So since my previous blog post (and even before, if I'm being honest) I have been so blessed during these troubled times. So to combat the self-pity and doomed feelings I was having earlier, I have decided to follow Oprah's advice & write a gratitude list. This list is not in any particular order and by no means complete. Like many people, I am sure I have blessings I don't even realize.

1. My food stamp case got re-instated on Friday!!
2. My dear friend Tara not only brought me some groceries when my stamps were de-activated but also gave me a guest-star bartending shift last Friday night at Galvez Restaurant.
3. My friend Staci not only treated me to pizza & good company, she also took care of my cell phone bill.
3. Giselle, my 1st Gally buddy & LRW extraordinaire not only paid the past due portion of my Entergy bill but also came by Sunday with her 2-year old & gave me a ride to "make groceries." We were 2 Large Retarded Women & a baby & Rouse's may never be the same!!!
4. After some discussion & prayer, my parents are sending a rent check to my landlady (I am currently about a week late on the rent, so this really does a lot for my state of mind)
5. Mad Martha has taken me out for meals & coffee & Escrabble, and sent job leads my way that I may not have ever considered without her.
6. My dear friend Robin is letting me take pilates class twice a week, thus providing some structure to my time. I can't say I've had some stunning weight loss results but I am showing progress. It really does me good to have at least 2 hours a week where I can get out of my head & get into my body, if that makes sense.
7. The Amazing Elisha still knows how to put everything into perspective when I need that other LRW POV on what's happening.
8. Sandi is always there for me to talk to. To tell the things that are too crazy or scary or real to blog about or tell anyone who hasn't known me for 20+ years.
9. Kris did a volunteer bartending shift with me Friday at Satchmo Strut after my twirl at Galvez and not only did we have fun doing that, she took me out to La Peniche afterwards & the conversation didn't stop til almost 5AM. I swear, if she wasn't black & 12 years younger than I am, I would think we were separated at birth.
10. Ashley, a friend & former student, took me out Saturday for dinner, drinks & an eye-opening conversation.
11. My sisters, Sara & Diana, are always there & somehow have just the right things to say. They both remind me that despite my latest setbacks, I am not a failure, just another smart, funny person struggling with dumb, tragic circumstances.

All of this and so much more gives me the strength to keep plugging away. I am humbled by this outpouring of kindness and looking forward to the day when I can not just pay it back, but pay it forward as well.

Thank you to everyone I've mentioned & anyone I've forgotten!

& Thank you for reading!!