Grateful
I wish I could start this with some Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey…but I looked up his Thanksgiving advice and it was just not that funny. So I will save you the poor humor, but if interested you can see the clip here.
Boy oh boy it seems like a lot has changed since last year’s Grateful post. On that post I give some advice on how to be grateful, so go check it out if interested.
As for this year, I just want to say that I am truly grateful.
It has been a crazy 6 weeks and a year ago I would not have imagined by new home with all my belongings would be burned to the ground. That I would be soon moving to my fourth home/apartment in the 1.5 years I moved to Santa Rosa. That the future remains uncertain.
But all of that is okay. At the end of the day I have an amazing family and that is the first thing I am grateful for…
Family and Community
My family and the community I have developed over the years that I consider family. This is what humanity is about. We are social creatures (even the introverts) and finding a group to relate to, bond with, and lean on is so important.
The fires have shown us who we can lean on. Which people provide support without a seconds thought. The outpouring was incredible and we are so fortunate to have our family, close community, and larger community (including the on-line personal finance community) supporting us. So thank you!
My profession
While I often talk about retirement and crunch the numbers (I love number crunching), I am truly grateful for my profession as a physician. I go to work everyday knowing I will help someone, even if it is just alleviating some anxiety.
Post-fire though I am even more grateful for having a steady job. A job that provides for my family and allows me to not worry about the financial ramifications of a home lost. We are secure financially because of my profession and these days it is a nice distraction from all the other chaos.
Dads Dollars Debts
Oh yes, this website. It is a bit of work, but worth every bit of it. It forces me to write, connects me with other motivated and interesting people, has been slightly profitable, and hopefully gets someone to rethink their way of life.
What will year 2 bring? Who knows, but that is the beauty of life. Unpredictability and adventure.
My Health
I am young and still healthy, but I notice more aches and pains. Part of this is that my stretching and exercise regiment have fallen apart over the last year. I am going to get back on the wagon though and by next year, hopefully will be as strong as I was at 35!
Finally, my life
Oh and that I am alive. Definitely grateful for that. It was not and never is guaranteed but I love this life and am grateful to be living it.
There you go. Short and sweet. What are you grateful for this year?
Here’s to you and yours. May the coming year be another year of wonderful things to be grateful for!
You too! Thank you and I wish many a great things for you too!
I’m grateful to be retired. It’s both ending and beginning. My career is slipping into history as is my stress and drama ///// that’s me waving bye bye. This is my second retirement. My first was at 58 but a business opportunity fell into my lap I couldn’t pass up, but now I’m done for good. I’m morning the change not at all.
I have no dearth of things to learn. I’m especially interested in effectively distributing my wealth over time. I’m especially interested in understanding likely distribution in future scenarios. I spent the evening listening to Cliff Asness who thinks real growth will be 2.5% over inflation. He’s not a gloom and doomer but a quant finance guy from the Booth school at U of Chicago. Yesterday I spent listening to Gene Fama the grand old man of efficient market theory from the same school. I own the mutual funds of both of these guys, who are the principals (DFA and ARQ funds), and it’s great to have the time to delve more deeply into the reality behind my money’s management. The day before that it was Richard Thaler the 2017 Nobel winner in economics also at U of Chicago for behavioral economics (I think a bit of a load). My Niece works for his mutual fund, so I wanted to learn something about him before she visits next month. Before that a series about how we are brainwashed by the news media. That one fits into my study of neuropsychology and dopamine neurochemistry.
My kids are home from college, and I’m thankful they are present. My Mom came over for dinner, she’s 88 and starting to fail so I’m grateful for the chance to take care of her. Every day I step in the river and it’s a different river. I’m grateful to have discovered this blog. I’m way grateful for my wife.
Best
Have fun with your family friend. Life is an amazing ride with many rivers to step in! May it always be enjoyable, even through hard times.
I agree and can say that I am thankful for the same things as you this year. I would also add bacon and beer, as well as travel.
I am thankful that your family is safe and well and that you have been so honest in sharing your story through this difficult time.
Thank you Mrs Wow! I love bacon…as does my son. So I am grateful for that delicious cut of meat.
My gratitude for all that we have is deepened by what we’ve lost (parents on both sides, my health is uncertain) – a wonderful, if small, family, a few favorite cousins and dear friends near and far. We have our own safe home again even if it required two truckloads of debt, we have two good jobs that will help us pay that down as soon as we can manage. I’m grateful for our dog who relieves my stress, is the best patient a dog mom could ask for when his allergies and infections set in, and looks out for our child like ze was his own sibling.
I’m so glad you and your family made it through the fires and these harrowing weeks, and will be ok in the end. Your health and safety is beyond price.
Amen! I’m actually grafeful for my debt, even though it’s gone. To have the ability to borrow 7 figures for education and housing is pretty awesome.
Also, 36 isn’t bad, so far 😊
That is a good point. Having access to that kind of credit is incredible.