It’s been a hard year. I’m under no delusions that 2021 will be magically different starting tomorrow but I am grateful that 2020 is coming to an end.

Tonight will be a quiet night. I’m going to catch a live stream concert by Jason Isbell on fans.live at 9 Eastern. I’m grateful for fast internet and streaming technology bringing entertainment to my living room during the pandemic.

I got some snuggles with my son this morning, which I can’t believe he still gives at 13, but I’m grateful for them nevertheless.

I ran nearly six miles today in an hour and nine minutes and almost all in heart rate zone 2 (which for me is between 134 and 150 beats per minute). I set the second fastest time ever on one of my segments which is astonishing because my heart rate was relatively low and I wasn’t pushing myself. I was thinking of when I started running a few years ago and how tough it was to run for just 90 seconds. I’m grateful for the body’s adaptability and my improved cardiovascular health.

I enjoyed one of my favorite childhood meals for breakfast this morning — cream of wheat with brown sugar and butter. It was guilt free due to the long run. I’m, once again, grateful for comfort food and memories.

My son asked me to play Billie Jean, by Michael Jackson in the car today. Spotify followed it up with Let’s Go Crazy by Prince. I didn’t have an appreciation for Prince when the album Purple Rain was released and wouldn’t have been caught dead listening to it in High School. Today, I know that Prince was legendary and a genius. I am grateful for his music and my ability to appreciate it now that I’m no longer as stubborn as I was back then.

We had a bright and sunny day here in Maryland. I’m grateful for the sunshine.

I wrote a blogpost about all the good things that happened in 2020. I’m grateful for perspective — the ability to see the good things in the middle of the chaos.

I cooked lasagna for dinner. I’m grateful for comfort food on this cold, dark winter’s night.

It’s pretty warm today and I’m grateful to be able to sit outside in my Adirondack chair with a cup of coffee as the sun warms my face.

I spoke with my therapist about my struggles over the past few weeks this morning and I’m grateful for her reminder to be easy with myself.

Smiles. I’m grateful for smiles. It’s amazing that even if we don’t feel all that happy, just making our faces form a smile fills us with sensations of joy. This is nature protecting us.

Today is my son’s birthday. There are times when he drives me right up the wall but he’s also a really awesome boy. I’m grateful to be his father.

We went to Shake Shack for his birthday lunch, just the two of us. I’m grateful for a little time alone with him.

We had a zoom call with the extended family to celebrate and I am again amazed by and grateful for video conferencing, I mean this is some George Jetson level technology that we have. Where is my flying car?

I went to bed early last night and woke up late this morning.

I enjoyed reading an article about form and fascia in Runners World last night.

My wife made coffee this morning. It’s a rare treat for me to have someone else make the coffee.

I’m grateful for all these small, great things today.

Today was the strangest Christmas ever but I’m grateful that all of us in the family are healthy in the midst of this pandemic.

I’m grateful for the 4 mile run that I took this afternoon. My headspace was bordering on severely depressed and some time outside made a huge difference.

I made a non-traditional dinner tonight, including filets on the grill and smoked Brussels sprouts. It was the first time in a long time that I was excited to cook. I’m grateful for the cookbook that my mom gave me which provided the inspiration.

We went to drop off gifts at the family’s today and got to see my mom, my uncle, and my brother and his wife and kids. It was short, and was out in the wind. But I’m grateful for the time together.

I decided to give my son his big gift early and spent the afternoon building his new gaming computer with him. I’m grateful for some time with him and that everything is working.

I had to run out to get a few last minute stocking stuffers (truly a man) thus evening and I am grateful that the store was open and for the people working Christmas Eve.

With the holidays upon us I have a few days off. I’m grateful for a little downtime.

I took a nap after my last meeting of the day and it was refreshing. I am grateful for that nap.

My wife went to Whole Foods and used the gift card that her boss gave her for Christmas to buy some pre-made beef Wellingtons which were delicious. I am grateful that dinner was simple and easy tonight.