Sometimes I get tired of life

but life never gets tired of me.

I throw my hands up and

demand, “That’s enough,”

no more messing with me.

Life simply takes that as a challenge

to step up its game.

Just picks me up in one delicate grasp

of thumb and forefinger,

tosses me high,

and it’s back through the wringer again.

What can I say?

All this grasping, clawing,

fighting, resisting,

just proves that I am

still alive

and kicking.

That’s something to be grateful for.

My sense of justice,

of indomitable resistance,

that won’t quite be snuffed out,

proves to my world-weary self that

something inside of me

still craves the sweet tang of vitality,

savors the pulse of beating, breathing aliveness,

won’t go quietly into the dark.

My wasted mind recognizes

the fleeting wisps of fizzy fight

mingled with

the flat dregs of failure

and strains out every last drop

into an elixir of survival.

My innate humanity fights for survival,

and that’s something to be grateful for.

Because that need to survive won’t be satisfied

until I’ve risen from the depths,

remade into something new and bold.

I won’t just survive.

I’m made to thrive.

Not ten feet away from me on my deck sits two flower pots of dianthus still blooming in late October. Three times over the summer these plants called out to me visibly ready to meet their maker and I knew what to do.

Cut them.

All the way down….

to within an inch or two of the soil, with my own hand, so close to where the roots give them life, removing the impending doom threatening their survival. And I sit and I watch the beauty of renewal in the background of my imaginations with my own eyes while I consider those around me offering me their love, near and far, and I know,

without a shred of uncertainty,

it's a wonderful life.

Prose

Prose

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Prose

Oh! Right!

Also thankful for Prose,

And Prose

And don’t forget about Prose

Also Prose.

Did I already say Prose?

Also I’m thankful for Prose

Times that by Octillion and maybe you’ve reached the limit

Just maybe...

Oh!

I again forgot about Prose.

A few more things I’m grateful for;

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

Prose

And one more;

Prose

It’s been a bad year but I’m grateful for :

1. I have a partner who is loving and caring and although we are now spending so much time together, we haven’t fallen victim to the old adage “familiarity breeds contempt”...yet.

2. My family are relatively healthy apart from my mother who has really struggled with her mental health and had to be hospitalized, but at least we have a fairly functional immediate family for support.

3. Extremely grateful to be working from home as it’s hard times out there.

4. I can see, hear ,feel, all senses and body parts are intact. Never take that for granted.

5. I have enough money to cover expenses and afford stuff....(although I think we’ve all discovered advertising lies and our needs are actually fairly simple).

6. I’m grateful for this challenge ! A little positivity goes a long way and doing this every morning, can change thought patterns and alter a person’s outlook on life.

Namaste.

1) I had the chance to slow down and spend more time than usual with my kids. More trips to the parks and more energy to play.

2) My wife got pregnant and gave birth this year. Adding another member to the family.

3) I had the time to try out new hobbies and do some landscaping in the backyard.

4) I have published a few poems for the first time.

5) This time last year, I was too scared to show anyone, even my wife, any of my work. Now I'm apart of a writing community.

6) I've gotten more involved in my community by volunteering.

I understand that many people haven't had a good experience. For some, it has been horrifying. So I am grateful for my health, which hasn't always been okay. I'm grateful for the time and opportunity that I had to grow as an individual as well.

1) Our dog is alive and well (this makes or breaks any movie, so ours is still on track)

2) Our cats are alive and well (this blessing is highly debated in our home)

3) We both still have jobs

4) We’re both able to work from home

5) We have an escape vehicle for our eventual wildfire evacuation needs (woot!)

6) Neither of us has lost anyone to the virus yet including at least 3 grandparents in assisted living! *knock on wood*

7) We’ve got a local distillery and brewery less than 5 miles away offering curbside pickup which we have made good use of (support local businesses!)

8) We’ve got freshly roasted coffee in the mail (again - support local businesses!)

9) Our home is ours (or will be in 24 more years, providing it does not burn down!)

10) Our board game/video game collection means we are never at a loss for indoor activity

That’s it, top ten right there - so far, hanging in there :-)

In this sad crazy year 2020,

I am grateful for plenty.

My fabulous hubby and kids,

Mum, dad, bro and sis.

There’s the neighbours Donna and Lee,

And across the road Hannah and Danny.

My 65inch TV to watch movies and the IPL,

And for the weather that’s been fairly well.

I may not be walking,

But I’m certainly non stop talking.

So thankful to the key workers and NHS,

Coz right now the world's a bloody mess.

The pleasure of been able to breathe,

As silently, we all grieve.

And a big thank you to the challenges on Prose,

As it helps to keep me becoming morose.

Naomi Adams.

@dctezcan

Today I am thankful for many things, including these:

- God.

- a day with my wife and kids.

- My dog and pet rats.

- an evening of scaring people at my haunted house job tonight.

- Getting the new My Hero Academia movie in the mail today.

- This Prose writing challenge I am participating in right now.

- Hot green tea with raw honey - great after a night of screaming at the haunted house.

- Wendy's online ordering interface, and having a gift card from a student to get Wendy's food with.

- You for reading this.

- Many more things, but these are the ones on my mind in the moment.

Grown as a unit in my mansion in my head

Four guys that bring us joy

Living to be alone

Money and a new job

Escape is soon in grasp

Believing people

And best of all a real family