turning off alarm clock

I am Thankful

From the archive2 min read

From the Inspire21 archive, collected since 2000. Original author often unknown. About our story labels

— Author Unknown

I AM THANKFUL…

FOR THE WIFE, WHO SAYS IT’S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BAR.

FOR THE TEENAGER, WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES, BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME AND NOT ON THE STREET.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY, BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY, BECAUSE  IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

Did this story lift you up?

Share it with someone

From the archive

Inspire21 archive

Collected and shared by the Inspire21 editors for over 25 years. The original author is often unknown.

Up next

Family

The Carpenter

Two brothers who farmed side by side for 40 years stop speaking, and one hires a carpenter to build a fence. What the carpenter builds instead heals the rift.

From the archiveInspire21 archive3 min

More family stories

See all