I am thankful

For a lawn that needs mowing,
plants that need pruning,
windows that need cleaning,
and walls that need repainting,
because it means I have a house to come home to;

For all the complaining
I hear about the government (thanks to their inefficiencies)
because it means
we have freedom of speech (though not necessarily after);

For the banks, offices and shops within walking distance
because it means I can choose to walk, and I am capable of walking;

For the lady and gentleman who sing karaoke daily (in neighbour's entertainment room)
who sing off key
because it means
I can hear (and not tone deaf);

For the pile of laundry (to be dried, collected and sorted)
because it means
I have clothes to wear;

For weariness and aching muscles (being old more than anything else)
at the end of the day
because it means
I have been capable of working hard;

For the crows of castrated cockerels (neighbour's enterprise for Chinese New Year)
in the early morning hours
because it means I am alive;

And finally, for too much E-mail (clogging up my mailbox because I can't open them)
because it means
I have friends who are thinking of me (thank you).


(from someone's work, edited to suit my circumstances)