Gratitude is not a response to having the live that you want, it’s a practiced state of mind. Whether you believe in god or not, a thankful attitude is a key to happiness. I’m thankful for my privileges that allowed me to go to college, practice a career in air-conditioned comfort, as well as the terrible choices I made with my freedom that almost cost me my marriage. I’m thankful for the life we built in spite of my shortcomings and the lessons I’ve learned about love, communication, and vulnerability learned the hard way. I’m thankful for my beautiful wife and for the darkness that almost made me lose her. For the rain and the shelter. For the successes and the day’s when I fall short. I’m always thankful to be alive and when I’m on the way out, I hope that someone will be thankful to have known me. And I’ll be thankful for that knowledge.