I posted this image mostly because I love squirrels.

This is a rather new found love. Although I’ve always been an animal lover overall, squirrels didn’t necessarily make the cut at the top five — or even top ten — of animals with which I thought I would form a special bond. This is due in part to the fact that the last few places I lived, squirrels weren’t a part of the surrounding fauna. Here in the big city, they’re basically the entirety of local wildlife, and I can’t tell you how much joy they’ve brought me in this depressing year.

I also posted this image because the text is true. In fact, it’s underselling the extent to which I have blessings to count. This year has been hard for all of us, but my blessings are large and abundant. Not even remotely small.

Sure, I may have COVID right now (I got diagnosed last Wednesday, and even now on day nine I can assure you it is no fun.)

Sure, I may have dramatically disowned most of my extended family during an already stressful election week (more on that some other time).

Sure, I’ve had to cancel more than one exciting trip, modify major milestones, and take annoying precautions for even the most simple activities to make the most of being temporarily back home, in spite of it all.

But here I am. Gainfully employed. Well-loved. Fully insured. Healthy, and thus well set for a full recovery from coronavirus. A husband who is not going to deploy any time soon, and two kitties who are loving having me home all the time.

A society in which I can have groceries and hot meals delivered to my doorstep, movies and entertainment on demand, and technology that allows me to hear the voices and see the faces of those I love, no matter how far away they are.

A Biden-Harris presidency on the horizon, and all the hope for our future and our democracy that entails.

I’ve also had plenty of toilet paper. This whole time.

And most novel of all – I’ve got a yard full of squirrels, who recognize me on sight and count on me to make their day brighter with my bag full of nuts 🙂