46 Ways To give Thanks — The Second Half

As my life turns the corner into its 47th year, I wanted to take stock of all that I’m thankful for through the first forty six. This has been a difficult twelve months, and that was true even before COVID-19 dropped like an anvil from the sky. Lots of heartache and loss, and yet here I am, with half a life still to go, God willing. This exercise in gratitude, serving up one thanks for every year on earth, is a way to stay alive, present, and positive. I recommend it at any age. The first thirty or so came easily enough for me (which is not to say I take them lightly or for granted). But then I had to dig deeper, even reflecting on things I'm grateful for about myself. That might be the most important thanks of all.

1. Rebecca, naturally

2. Emmy and Alexander, eternally

3. The rest of my family, near and far, blood and in-law

4. Memories of mom and Jess

5. TJ, for showing me how and why to practice gratitude

6. Coach Rich and the rest of my BK FIT fam

7. FTFC, shout out to all the OG’s and crack organizers—Mikey, Seb, Kyle. Tuesday 9’s, let’s bring it home! Pick you up Jamar…

8. Street FC—looking at you Coop

9. Rooster Cup—Robinho!

10. Sunday-morning 3-touch, led by Condo and the Kaiser

11. JC Hammers—Danny planning, Par pep talking

12. Round Top Tourney

13. WHS alumni game, coach Shaw and Chris

14. Park Slope United, coaches and community

15. AYSO

16. Broga with Kahlila

FIRST CLASS The inaugural Rooster Cup took place in July on a pristine grass pitch in the Catskills, surrounded by mountains and intermittent storm clouds. It was mostly ballers from First Touch FC, the morning game I play in as often as possible in… — **FIRST CLASS** The inaugural Rooster Cup took place in July on a pristine grass pitch in the Catskills, surrounded by mountains and intermittent storm clouds. It was mostly ballers from First Touch FC, the morning game I play in as often as possible in Williamsburg, BK. Team pink punched its ticket to the finals, above, but we couldn’t get past the big blue wall. Countdown to 2021!

17. My JHCWJB thread—you boys really pulled me through. Hotspurs forever!

18. All of A&L 305—shout out to Miss Yael for the T1D support and so much more

19. Artshack, Mckendree at the helm

20. Von King Park

21. New York Edge

22. Park Slope Food Coop—5am receiving!

23. Clinton Hill CSA

24. Fig Tree, toda Rachel

25. Violin with Nora

26. Cranford Cougars and the Last Dance heroics, #2 most of all

27. The Yanks—still miss you Jeets

28. Chelsea FC (more on that to come)

29. BDJ, for the future

30. Upper 90 BK, including those SoccerShape classes

31. Colbert, my nightly balm

32. PBS News Hour, my nightly lullaby

33. The staff at Mount Sinai pediatric endo clinic

34. Wellfleet, especially Newcomb Hollow and Dyer Pond

35. Many awesome work colleagues

36. Lisa’s dealing and support

DECK DAYS I met my good friend Mark Powers twenty years ago, when we were both cutting our teeth in the magazine business at This Old House in NYC. This summer, Mark brought his artisanal skill and creativity to the renovation of our back deck. Here… — **DECK DAYS** I met my good friend Mark Powers twenty years ago, when we were both cutting our teeth in the magazine business at This Old House in NYC. This summer, Mark brought his artisanal skill and creativity to the renovation of our back deck. Here he is giving Alex a quick lesson in carpentry. Most days we’d break for lunch together and shoot the breeze, just like we used to do in the offices of TOH.

37. Mark’s master craftsmanship

38. Jim’s deft touch in the garden

39. Family skiing

40. Running the loop in Prospect Park

41. My health, as long as it lasts

42. My hair, as long as it lasts

43. Being okay with vulnerability

44. Believing in positive change

45. A willingness to persevere

46. The Second Half—thanks for listening