A List of Things to be Thankful for in 2021

A List of Things to be Thankful for in 2021 BY LURA ROTI

Lists. I do love them.

Lists create calm from the chaos in my busy, multi-tasking brain.

Lists remove worry. “I won’t forget to do that important task because it’s listed right here in front of me in my daily planner.”

Lists are a plan forward, committed to paper in an order that makes the most sense…to me.

With my affinity for lists clearly explained, let’s move on to the focus of this column: Things to be thankful for in 2021.

1. HUGS

If I never do another Zoom or Facetime, it won’t hurt my feelings. I am so grateful for in-person interactions that do not involve masks or distancing. Since April 9, 2021, the day my husband Shon and I were fully vaccinated, we have enjoyed many in-person interactions.

And it seems now that we know what life is like without them, we value these in-person interactions even more.

On that note...

2. THE COVID-19 VACCINE

3. VOICE CALLING

I often reflect on the fact that if my ability to SPEAK to folks who I do business with or need support from ever goes away, I am in trouble! Just this week I had a day when nearly every digital interaction I had did not work.

That day, I made a follow up phone call on an important online form I filled out several months ago. Based on the date I filled out the form, I should have received some other forms in September. When they did not arrive, I made this phone call. On the call, the customer service representative informed me that in June I didn’t fill the form out correctly.

He said, “we sent you an e-mail asking you to make updates so we could process the information.” I checked all e-mail in-boxes and junk mail…nothing. I said as much and he said, “we have no control over that.”

He’s right. If a digital communication does not go through, how is anyone to know? It requires a follow-up phone call. I won’t go into the other online communications that day that did not work. Let’s just say in one instance, I would have been better off in-store grocery shopping.

4. FAMILY

I’d bet you’re asking yourself, “why didn’t she list this first?” As I write this column, I asked myself this same question. The reason? I sometimes take these precious people for granted.

My husband, Shon and daughter, Parker do mean the world to me.

I am not a perfect person to live with. But to his credit, Shon always makes me feel better by saying, “you are perfect for me.”

Raising a 10-year-old takes a lot of brain power. And her needs and emotions are constantly changing. But at the same time, it is a lot of fun. I get to watch her make decisions and choices on her own. I get to see her embrace activities of her choosing and excel in areas she applies her energies to. I also get to laugh at her abundant stories about life in the fifth grade.

None of us get to choose who gives birth to us. But when that person is a wonderful, nurturing, intelligent and selfless woman like my mom – wow! I count myself so fortunate.

She always thinks her children can accomplish anything. And she taught us all to be kind. “To have a friend, you must be a friend.”

I am also thankful for my dad. He is a quiet man who grew up on a Montana ranch, became a vet and helped us raise animals – traditional and non-traditional. Because of him, I have focused my career in agriculture.

If either of my parents set their mind to accomplishing a task, consider it done.

Beyond my parents, brothers and extended biological family, I am thankful for the non-biological family I have gained over the years.

Shon’s family are wonderful people as well. His parents raised a son who is patient (he gets this from his dad), creative and funny (I credit his mom).

And then there are the amazing women who love my brothers enough to marry or date them. If we lived in the same community, we would hang out.

With these amazing women, come their fantastic families who we get to spend time with – expanding the circle of those who we love and care about.

5. ACT OF GIVING THANKS

So, I’ve been working on this column for about two hours now, and I feel so great! When I focus on being grateful and giving thanks, the impact it has on my overall outlook is pretty amazing.

I know this will sound corny, but I have been putting this concept into action lately when I approach a mess in our home that I did not create, but only I care enough about to pick it up. And it is amazing how easy it is to pick up dirty clothes and towels left on the bathroom floor when I am simply grateful for the person who left the mess in the first place.

I do not look forward to the day when my 10-year-old is 18 and leaving her clothes on the dorm floor and not our bathroom floor.

6. ROOMBA

I love our dog, Tulip. But Tulip sheds. The Roomba allows me and the rest of my family to enjoy Tulip and not get overwhelmed by the fur she leaves everywhere. 7. THIS COLUMN

Nearly a decade ago, the editor I freelanced for at the Argus asked me if I would like to write a monthly column for the paper. Writing that column each month became what I described to friends as, “dessert work.” Because as a journalist, I share stories of others and I write in an unbiased, third-person voice. As a columnist, I am able to write in my own voice and share my biased thoughts. And this brings me great joy.

When a re-design meant the Argus did not need my column any longer, I really missed writing it. At first, I thought I’d have enough self-discipline to write it as a blog, but without someone else setting a deadline for me, I failed.

As I was enjoying an issue of etc. for her, I thought to reach out to Angela Ellerbroek, the Publisher of this magazine. I asked if I could write a column for etc. for her. She said, “yes.”