I’m a thankful resident of the San Luis Valley.

Some calendar days are harder than others to muster up a blast of gratitude, but brain chemistry builds on every try. 

The way the sun beams find the back of my floral couch or brighten the wavy hair of my dog perched on the arm of the couch are generous and sparkly finds of the day even as the sun wakens the Cottonwoods, Blue Spruce and Wild Oaks on the street. 

My cocker spaniels are gifts that greet me everyday and watch as I dole out food for umpteen different kittens and cats that Cats Alive SLV has furnished food for and trapped and neutered countless now. It’s a treasure to watch the cats as they thrive in a better world where they won’t get pregnant again and again. 

I’m so thankful for Evette at Conour Animal Shelter for delivering those felines caught overnight to Carla Taylor and Dr. Warren Deal at the Monte Vista Animal Clinic so the feral population can be spayed or neutered. The shelter rescues so many. The clinic helps so many pet families.

I’m thankful for the rain when it drops even if it is sometimes too few drops or too many or too hard in the form of hail.  All precipitation can find a home in the Valley.

I’m thankful for Chris Vanderford who comes whenever I text to mow the yard and pick up after my service dog.  She comes with ear buds tuned to her favorite music. She floats across the yard behind the mower like a Disney character whistling while she tends the blooming garden.

I’m thankful for the daily emails Patt Morgan-Lloyd blesses me with that make me think of the character Maxine. I’m thankful for the voice calls from Marianna King and her Reiki energy. I’m thankful for the long talks over hot tubs then Romaine salads in Manitou Springs with my friend Dr. Karli Peterson.

I’m grateful for the backup that People Care and Barbara Cassados gives to me.  She is another happy but prayerful person who pushes the daily dirt and grime right out of her purview.

I’m grateful for the all the doctors who ask their patients question with gentleness in their tone. I’m grateful for the nurses who take the vitals for the specific visit.

On Tuesdays, I wake to the refuse pickup truck stopping at mine and my neighbors addresses and removing the collections; so, I’m grateful for their dedication to our discarded details.

I still enjoy the deck that Christian Community Services Project volunteers made a year ago. What a great summer blessing for those who seek their help.

I’m so thankful for the casual shoes that transform walking from pricks to soft landings. Isn’t it a hoot to be thankful for the walk and the owls, flycatchers, pigeons, doves, hummingbirds and house wrens which fly freely in and out of trees.

Then of course, I’m thankful for my family—my sisters, cousins and son. The gifts of love, borrowed money, phone calls to chat, and trips to bring canned dog food and yogurt – all of these are tied up in a large thankful heart.

—Nelda Curtiss is a retired college professor who enjoys writing and fine arts. Contact her at [email protected]