I lost a person who owned a large percentage of my heart last week. And it hurt. And I was mad. I still am. The world seemed cold and bitter. And I wanted to punch someone in the face.
"Who dies?" I asked my brother with welled-up tears and anger in my heart. "That's so lame."
Then, I realized that Uncle Phil wouldn't want me to press on with anger and resentment. No, he'd tell me to find a bright side. Because, man alive, in even the most dire circumstances, there is ALWAYS a bright side.
Sometimes a girl has to quit her whining, dull the drama, throw caution to the wind, and realize that life is pretty damn spectacular. And that those she's lost are never far from her head and heart.
So, in honour of Uncle Phil, I tasked myself with listing 100 things I am grateful for.
Surprisingly easy. Life is g-o-o-o-o-o-d. And it's nice to be reminded of it. Thanks Uncle Phil!
These are the things that make my life shine:
1. My mama bear. Mom. Ma.
2. My papa bear. Dad. Pops.
3. My three incredible brothers – Geoff, Trevor, Patrick.
4. My brothers' cool wives (aka sisters of the heart) – Sally and Jennifer.
5. My friends – the new ones, the old ones, the everyday ones, the work ones, the play ones, the gay ones, the straight ones, the married ones, the single ones, all the ones that were and are and that will continue to be.
6. Boys who are brave enough to say hello and try to get my number.
7. Girls who tell me to stop giving boys my number. (Good advice. Thank you.)
8. Family. All of them and all that comes with it.
9. Harley.
10. Dogs in general. If only people were as loyal.
11. Mountain tops.
12. Trails that lead to mountain tops.
13. Running. And trying to run. And wanting to run. And being able to run.
14. Sunset.
15. Sunrise.
16. Kale.
17. BBM.
18. U-Pick berry farms.
19. My nephews. Handsome, insane, gloriously fantastic human beings.
20. My niece. A sweeter soul will never grace this planet.
21. Mizuno.
22. Races.
23. Mud and muddy shoes and muddy pants and muddy skin.
24. Finish lines.
25. Fans with bristol board signs.
26. Motivational quotes.
27. Goals.
28. Books.
29. Love and the thumpity thump thump of a heart in love.
30. Trevor's hugs.
31. Geoff's quiet wisdom.
32. Patrick's heart.
33. Risks.
34. Birthdays. Mine especially.
35. Cake-baking.
36. The juicer.
37. Infra-red saunas.
38. Cold beer.
39. Bad jokes. You know, groaners.
40. These four words: "I'm proud of you".
41. Schools and learning.
42. Yoga.
43. Old growth rainforest.
44. Travel.
45. Dreams and bucket lists and aspirations of wild kinds.
46. Mail – handwritten, from the heart. (Thank you Gram, Kristi, Jo...)
47. New running clothes.
48. Naps.
49. Personal bests.
50. Words and sentences.
51. Scrabble.
52. Ideas.
53. Fresh veggies.
54. Chiropractic care.
55. Wellies.
56. Shoulders to cry on.
57. Green juice.
58. A fresh perspective.
59. Tofino.
60. The Yukon.
61. The organic facial at J-Spa.
62. My hair straightener.
63. Curly hair.
64. Freckles.
65. Blankets.
66. Camping.
67. Moonlight.
68. Generosity. The kind you don't even ask for. You just get.
69. Rock and roll.
70. iTunes.
71. Race day jitters.
72. An audience.
73. Sports.
74. Frisbees.
75. Cleaning companies.
76. David Suzuki.
78. Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Society.
79. RainCity Housing.
80. "Just because" texts, emails, notes.
81. Thank yous.
82. Pearl Jam.
83. Homemade applesauce.
84. Skype.
85. Pants with 34" inseams.
86. Synonyms.
87. Sunshine when it rains.
88. Opposing viewpoints.
89. Jammies.
90. Kids' logic.
91. Adrenalin rushes.
92. The UN.
93. Time.
94. Airplanes.
95. Fireplaces.
96. Good conversation.
97. Yellow peppers.
98. My Sigg Water Bottle.
99. Compost.
100. This crazy, mixed up life.
