Things to Be Grateful for

Even in the throes of a global pandemic, it's possible to find things to be grateful for. In fact, I would argue that we are doing things and appreciating things that we really should have been doing and appreciating all along.

I'm sure everyone has their own list of things they're grateful for. Here's mine:

1. I'm grateful for private enterprise and American business. There is none better anywhere. Our news is filled with stories of companies such as Under Armour, Ford, GM, JoAnn Fabrics, My Pillow, and Vera Bradley that are pitching in to help make hospital gowns, ventilators and masks. According to the trade association Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, nearly 600 distilleries in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are making hand sanitizer. And then there are the countless smaller local businesses providing meals for students who cannot attend school, first responders, health care workers and others on the front line; making charitable donations; or just continuing to pay their employees as long as possible.

2. I'm grateful for factory employees, truckers, warehouse workers and all others instrumental to keeping the supply chain intact.

3. I'm grateful for our big-box stores, grocery stores and pharmacies that have stayed open, and for the employees who work there and have kept needed items in stock.

4. I'm grateful for the authors, artists, musicians, actors and other entertainers who are using all forms of media to perform for us, our families and our children as we "shelter in place" for what will likely be several weeks.

5. I'm grateful for the teachers, administrators and staff members -- especially the information technology professionals -- who have made it possible for our preschool, grade school, high school and college students to transition from live instruction to online learning.

6. I'm grateful for the incredible dedication of all our health care professionals, many of whom are working long hours day after day with little sleep, few resources and far too many terribly sick patients.

7. I'm grateful for our form of government -- a democratic republic -- and for federalism, which allows the smaller governments of our states and territories to respond to the unique challenges they face while our federal government coordinates national and international efforts.

8. I'm grateful for leaders who have the ability to make needed decisions in a crisis, and to pivot quickly as the most up-to-date information arrives.

9. I'm grateful for our Constitution. It hovers like a silent blessing over all of us. It ensures that our liberties will remain when this disease has run its course, and that the extraordinary measures now in place will no longer be needed.

10. I'm grateful for Western medicine, scientists, information and knowledge, and the technology that enables that information and knowledge to be more widely disseminated.

11. I'm grateful for social media and the technological innovations that enable us to remain connected even though we are separated.

12. I'm grateful for the fact that those of us inclined to call upon God in prayer need not feel embarrassed for doing so.

13. I'm grateful for charitable organizations that are working hard to meet the ongoing needs of the people they serve -- the poor; the homeless; those with disabilities or other unmet needs; veterans; single parents; orphaned children. When we are all needy, we can better appreciate those for whom illness, unemployment or isolation is not a temporary situation.

14. I'm grateful for the innumerable kindnesses of people too many to count across America -- and, indeed, across the world -- who are doing whatever they can for anyone they can as long as it is necessary.

It's often said that an "attitude of gratitude" makes for a happier life. Even -- perhaps especially -- in difficult times, it is important to remember that.

I'm very grateful for all the things the author listed, especially for all the hard working people keeping food and supplies manufactured, delivered, and stocked in our store shelves.

It’s a selfish thing, but I’m also grateful that hiking a few miles puts me in the center of a gorgeous 1,400 acre park with no people in it on a fine, windy spring day. It’s closed to cars and there’s no parking on the access road; few people walk or hike any distance, so I had the park largely to myself. It’s great for the health and soul. I figure if I can keep my fitness up (it's a good 800 foot climb up to the park), I won’t become a cardiac patient and overtax the health care system. And the chance of getting infected here is probably lower than in my own house! It's legal to walk to the park and be in it; you just aren't allowed to drive into the park (gates are closed and locked).

I thought I'd share some of the pics I took on my hike yesterday so you can see what I'm grateful for. I hope you like these.

Lake Boronda, Foothills Park, Palo Alto, California

The Visitor's Center, all buttoned up and closed down. Nary a soul to be seen anywhere. Of course, even on a normal early spring weekday around 5 pm this isn't a crowded place.

The park rangers are somewhat serious about keeping people off of the bench at the Visitor's Center. I figured the space between the yellow tapes wasn't off-limits, so I plopped myself down.

But the rangers are REALLY SERIOUS about keeping people off the chairs. The nicely varnished bench is better anyway.

The view of the meadow and hills from the bench is always pleasant. I had a nice 30 minute break by myself on the bench just enjoying watching the deer, turkeys and hawks in the meadow and sky.

The woodland critters seem to be getting a bit petrified of COVID, too.

The majestic old oaks on the hike down through the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve are always spectacular. The parks people closed the parking lot at this preserve a couple days ago, but you can still park on the road outside the preserve a half mile down the road.

When hiking east down the hill, you get the gorgeous sunset at your back illuminating all the ancient oaks. The big ones are hundreds of years old; unfortunately, a fungus-like plant disease called "Sudden Oak Death" is killing a lot of the ancient oaks. First recognized in the mid 1990s, the disease kills some oak species (primarily coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, and an oak relative, tanoak, Notholithocarpus densiflorus) and has had devastating effects on coastal forests in California and Oregon. It really is heartbreaking to see these giants dying and toppled over.

I tried an "artistic - grainy black & white" setting in the camera for a moody effect. But I think I like the color image better. What do you think?

I’m grateful springtime is coming into bloom. Winter is depressing enough for a lot of people in a good year. And it’s nice to see neighbors outside and hear children playing. Life going on outside of our isolation bubbles.

I’m grateful that we’re in the greatest country in the world to be dealing with something like this. And especially grateful for President Trump. Our chances of getting through this in one piece are infinitely greater because of him.

I’m grateful that many people seem to be having a Come to Jesus moment because of this. People who never set foot in a church are “attending” services broadcast online.

I’m grateful for the good this is bringing out in people helping neighbors and total strangers. The American Spirit is alive and well.

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