Annual Thanksgiving Tradition

9 Years ago I started a list because a lot of folks I encountered were having a hard time or shared that they did not see a lot they could be grateful for in this area. I had learned about writing gratitude lists to generate for myself the good around me and keep it first in my heart and mind and sent out a “gratitude” list of 100 things I was grateful for in Wilmington that year. It was met with great success!

I decided, and have kept up that each year, I would do the list but make it equivalent to the number of years I had been doing it!

This year, I am at 900, and I am so glad to be able to have this exercise. I have stopped including names in my list as I don’t want people to focus on the number, but instead have included groups, things, organizations, and places. I have also brought it back to some of the things these lists started with; remembering to be grateful for some of the very basic things in my life…lest I never take it for granted how blessed I am.

Regardless of what someone might think of this list, regardless of what my circumstances might be, regardless of what events may occur in my life, it is a tradition I will continue, because, I/we am/are blessed and it is worth remembering, offering thanksgiving, and sharing with each other! I hope it will spark a list of your own and feel free to steal mine!

I am grateful for….

1.) God in my life, first and foremost always2.) My Family 3.) Our home 4.) Health and continued, day at the time reprieve…5.) Being employed6.) Friends, amazing and loving friends7.) The Life of Frank Harr8.) The Life of Windell Daniels9.) The Karl Davis Leadership Wilmington Alumni Award10.) The Life of Dr. Elizabeth Betsy Ervin11.) Being able to be with those I love at the last 12.) Living in community with such amazing people13.) Being able to be a part…14.) The Wilmington Housing Authority15.) WHA Staff16.) WHA Commissioners17.) The Hillcrest Community Campus18.) UNCW Public Service19.) UNCW Sociology Students 20.) UNCW Sociology Faculty21.) UNCW Social Work Students22.) UNCW Social Work Faculty23.) UNCW Elementary Ed Students24.) ITSD Department at Community Campus25.) UNCW Surplus26.) Community Campus Reading Program27.) GED Program at Hillcrest28.) Job Placement Program at the Community Campus29.) Cape Fear Community College30.) Cape Fear Community College Foundation31.) UNCW32.) Office of the Chancellor33.) Academic Affairs34.) Leadership Education and Service35.) Athletics36.) SeaHawk Club37.) The Honors Scholars Program38.) The Honors Scholars Students39.) The Honors Scholars Office Staff40.) Honors Scholarships41.) UNCW Foundation Scholarships42.) UNCW Board of Trustees43.) UNC Board of Governors (especially making a woman chair this year!)44.) Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships45.) Travel Abroad Grants46.) Qeno47.) Travel Grants from the Chancellor for Research48.) Honors Scholars Association49.) Student Honors Advisory Committee50.) Honors Teas 51.) Honors Community! 52.) Honors Fish!53.) UNCW/CITY Task Force54.) Carleton Place HOA Board55.) Carleton Place56.) College Acres57.) Mayfaire! 58.) Autumn Hall59.) The New Bike/Hike trail60.) Fresh Market61.) Harris Teeter Pharmacy62.) Fast Frame Art 63.) Boca Bay64.) Brasserie65.) Ciccetti Osteria66.) All Hampton Inns!67.) Stargell Tournament68.) New Kidney Screen Mobile Unit69.) Stargell Nursing Scholarship at UNCW70.) Stargell Scholarship at CFCC71.) McColl and Associates72.) McColl Scholarship at CFCC73.) The BOND PASSING FOR CFCC74.) CFCC BOD75.) The Daniels Scholarship at CFCC76.) The Daniels Scholarship at UNCW77.) The Ada K. Dean Nursing Scholarship at UNCW78.) The Bruce/Levy Scholarship at UNCW79.) The Myers Scholarship at UNCW80.) The Women’s resource Center at UNCW81.) The Betsy Ervin Honors Scholarship at UNCW82.) The Vagina Monologues83.) Coastal Horizons Inc84.) The HAARTS Program85.) Substance Abuse Counseling and Treatment from Coastal Horizons86.) The Rape Crisis Center87.) TASC88.) The New Brunswick County Coastal Horizon’s Center89.) Methadone treatment from CHC90.) All the staff of Coastal Horizons91.) The amazing Board of Coastal Horizons!92.) The Youth Shelter of Coastal Horizons93.) HIV/AIDS screening from Coastal Horizons94.) The Domestic Violence Shelter95.) Vintage Values96.) The Bargain Box of Wilmington97.) The DVS Ads for Father’s Day98.) Community Engagement from New Hanover Regional Medical Center99.) Public Health Dept Men’s Health Screenings100.) NHRMC Foundation101.) The New Betty Cameron Children’s Hospital102.) Leadership Wilmington103.) Hands on Wilmington104.) The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce105.) The Wilmington City Council106.) The Wilmington Manager’s Office107.) The Wilmington City Staff! 108.) The Wilmington Parks and Recreation Department!109.) The Wilmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Board110.) Olsen Park111.) The Wilmington Tennis Association112.) Cape Fear Soccer113.) Friends of Maides Park114.) The MLK Center115.) Fit for Fun Center!116.) Halyburton, Halyburton, Halyburton!117.) Our alligator at Greenfield lake118.) The paddle boats at Greenfield lake119.) The Japanese gardens at the arboretum120.) Enchanted Airlie121.) Our Aquarium! 122.) Kure Beach and all it’s splendor! 123.) The pier at Kure Beach124.) The annual beach sweep at Kure beach125.) Carolina beach boardwalk126.) Dreams of Wilmington127.) WRAAP128.) Naming Lakeside after Mary Mosley! The Great Mrs. Mosley!129.) 1898 Memorial finally being up and dedicated130.) Taylor Homes being open and dedicated131.) New County Commissioners 132.) The Public Health Foundation of New Hanover County133.) Public Health Workers and Staff134.) The Mobile Dental clinic135.) New Hanover Regional Medical Center136.) The Daniels Heart Walk 2008137.) William Hooper Apartments138.) Daniels Company139.) Pear Girls140.) LINC inc.141.) Boys and Girls Club142.) First in Families143.) Arc of North Carolina144.) Special Olympics145.) The amazing folks her for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society146.) Central Rotary147.) WHAT148.) YWCA149.) Commissioning of the USS North Carolina 777!150.) The Mayor’s Ball151.) The Liberty Bell’s in Thalian Hall152.) The Naval Reception 153.) Secretary of the Navy in Wilmington!154.) Spectacular Fireworks for Everyone!155.) The Commissioning Ceremony156.) The crew of the submarine! What amazing men!157.) Southeastern Alliance for Community Change158.) Be Your Own Hero159.) The Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s 160.) Art for the Masses161.) The Randall Library Book Sale162.) The NHC Book Sale 163.) The NHC Library164.) The NHC Archives 165.) Thalian Hall166.) Hannah Block Center167.) Nan Graham’s Commentary’s 168.) WHQR169.) WHQR Gallery170.) WECT 6pm news!171.) Frans Fans172.) Buddy Check173.) Mrs. K. Weller on that Motorcycle for Breast Cancer Awareness174.) WECT Community Engagement175.) Rhonda’s Show on WAAV176.) Christmas Music on GNI177.) Star News 178.) Star News Editorials in Particular179.) Wilma (and what a good pic for covers!)180.) Greater Wilmington Business181.) Encore Magazine!!!!!182.) Atlantis Magazine at UNCW (AMAZING!)183.) Blue Tone Media184.) Dock Street Printing185.) Casey’s Buffet186.) Chicken Pastry at Casey’s Buffet! 187.) Collards at Casey’s Buffet!188.) Did I mention Casey’s Buffet? 189.) Castle Street Antique District190.) Michael Moore Antiques191.) The New Jester’s Café!192.) The Gateway Project193.) The Riverwalk194.) The Convention Center195.) Level 5196.) The Red Barn theater197.) The Brown Pub acts and shows198.) The aesthetic of downtown199.) The History of this region200.) The cape fear river201.) Sunsets on the cape fear202.) Pelicans at Kure beach203.) Azaleas in spring204.) Wisteria205.) Long Leaf Pines on UNCW’s Campus206.) The beauty of UNCW’s Campus207.) The windows in 1st Presbyterian208.) The labyrinth in the floor of church of the servant209.) The Cameron Art Museum’s Stained Glass Window 210.) The Wilmington Children’s Museum211.) The Old St. Thomas Building for Functions212.) The City Club of DeRossett213.) The Oaks on Market Street214.) The walking path into the woods at Halyburton215.) The programs at Halyburton with Birds of Prey216.) The Holiday Parade Downtown217.) The Oldest Living Christmas Tree218.) The Christmas Tree at the Foot of Market219.) The Christmas Lights downtown220.) The Christmas lights on pleasure island221.) The Azalea Festival Parade222.) The Azalea Festival223.) Fourth of July fireworks on the river224.) Fireworks on opening day at UNCW225.) Fireworks for the commissioning226.) New Years Eve Fireworks 227.) Hangers cleaners228.) Freshmarket229.) Clark Construction230.) Mazzarone Construction231.) Mckinley Dull Construction232.) Tise Archictects233.) Shipman and Associates234.) Roundtree etc. at law235.) Good Sheppard Ministries236.) Wilmington Interfaith Hospitality237.) Macedonia Baptist238.) Union Missionary239.) 1st Baptist240.) AME Zion241.) AME Zion Affordable Housing Coalition242.) The office of Mike McIntyre in Wilmington243.) The office of Senator Boseman244.) The office of the Mayor of Wilmington245.) Unitarian Universalists246.) Unity Christ Church247.) Church of the Servant248.) St. Jude’s MCC249.) Martin Luther King Day Parade250.) Juneteenth251.) New Hanover County Democratic Party252.) Precinct Chairs of the NHCDP253.) Volunteers of the NHCDP254.) Voter registration folks 255.) Wilmington Symphony256.) UNCW Gospel Choir257.) Halloween on Front Street258.) Police in Wilmington259.) Leadership of Police in Wilmington260.) NHC Sherriff’s Office 261.) Private Security in our neighborhood 262.) My bicycle 263.) The path to ride in the neighborhood264.) The fence in the neighborhood265.) My hammock266.) Our magnolia tree267.) Our Holly trees268.) Our David statue269.) My cherub bird bath270.) The cardinals visiting271.) Our rock garden272.) Having the best side neighbors ever!273.) How moderate this area is274.) How sensible people can be275.) Randall Library 276.) The Special Collections of Randall Library277.) The Art of Randall Library278.) The School of Nursing ground breaking!279.) The School of Nursing at UNCW280.) The Ed building and its beauty281.) The leadership in the Cameron School282.) Miller Motte Massage Therapy School283.) John Sakel Massage Therapist284.) The art of Fritz Kapraun285.) The art of Virginia Frierson286.) The Art of Ned Irvine (particularly the logo for the new PHF)287.) The art of Bates Toone288.) The art of David Norris289.) The writing of David Norris and his new book!290.) The writing of Nan Graham!291.) The writing of Clyde Edgerton292.) The writing of Tim Tyson293.) The writing of Dana Sachs!294.) The art of Harold Hodges295.) The art of Rick Mobbs296.) The art of Andrea Dingeldein297.) The art of Caitlin Brooks298.) The writing of Niki Leone299.) Creativewilmington.com300.) Cuculourus301.) The Film Industry 302.) Orange Street Festival303.) Film Incentives 304.) Film Commission305.) It’s a Wonderful Life being shown by the FS Progam at UNCW annually306.) Leadership of the Film Studies Department307.) The Life of Frank Capra Jr. (God Love and Rest his Soul!)308.) Little Britain being here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!309.) Books on Front Street310.) Two Sisters Books 311.) The Full Belly Project312.) Cape Fear Bio Fuels313.) Green Building Alliance314.) Tuesday Morning315.) Homegoods316.) Pita Delight317.) The Owners of Pita Delight318.) All Small Business owners 319.) Hibachi Bistro320.) Schewan at University Landing321.) Pizza at Krazy’s! 322.) The Italian Deli on College! 323.) Meatball Wedge’s at the Italian Deli324.) Two Guys on College325.) Breakfast at the farmhouse326.) Breakfast at Saltworks327.) Jessamine 328.) The Thai Place on North Fourth329.) HIV Consortium 330.) HIV Clinic at New Hanover Regional331.) HIV Consortium Board332.) HIV Clinic Staff and Nurses333.) Public Health Nurses and Clinicians334.) Rabies and Animal Shelter Staff and workers335.) Carolina Canines336.) The Helper Dogs from Carolina Canines337.) The board of Carolina Canines338.) Wrightsville Family Practice339.) Delta Behavioral 340.) Krispy Kreme341.) Krispy Kreme being far enough away from my house that it is an effort342.) Jean Beasley being this year’s Schweitzer Recipient! 343.) The Karen Beasley Memorial Sea Turtle Hospital344.) The art of J. Madison Smith345.) Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard346.) Tileston Clinic347.) Pedestrian Art348.) The Mural of AA historical figures in the Creekwood Community Center349.) Dreams Installations on Castle Street350.) Photos of Jaime Moncrief351.) Photos of Caroline Cropp352.) Marketing and Communication at UNCW353.) Wilmington Wine Shoppe (I don’t drink..but those guys are AWESOME!)354.) Best of Wilmington in Encore Magazine355.) USS North Carolina Battle Ship!356.) The new floating docks 357.) Wilmington Walking adventures with Bob Jenkins358.) The downtown Synagogue359.) The architecture of downtown churches360.) The beauty of Landfall 361.) The great Christmas display on the little house on 17th street362.) Carolina Place363.) Our District Attorney’s Office364.) Our District Court Judges365.) Our Drug Court!366.) Papa John’s! 367.) The giving spirit and community involvement of Domino’s! 368.) JTV Management369.) The Willie Stargell Office Complex370.) Verizon!!371.) Qunitiles!372.) More jobs with living wages in our region373.) Our Wilmington Planning Commission374.) Sunset Park Neighborhood Association375.) The New Sunset Park Historic Website376.) Sunset South Development377.) The New park coming to Sunset South378.) Parks written into the Gateway project379.) Parks written into the north side expansion380.) New park opening in January 381.) Olsen County/City Park Group working together! 382.) Airlie Seafood Company383.) Sweet and Savory384.) Sweet and Savory baked goods! 385.) Our new bookcase386.) The cape being so close 387.) The city council opening up the selection process to all388.) The city for being so thoughtful about annexation389.) The protestors who stood up for the forest390.) Those educating on Titan 391.) Those protecting our environment392.) UNCW and CFCC EVS and Biology Profs393.) Research and Studies on our local watershed394.) Preservation of greenspace 395.) Preservation of wetlands396.) Cape fear river watch 397.) Cape fear builders assoc (nope, no contradiction if you work together!)398.) Those who build consensus399.) Marine Science center 400.) Healthy Carolinians401.) Obesity Prevention Program (missed that one, but working on it)402.) Health and Applied Human Sciences Faculty403.) Health and Applied Human Sciences Students404.) Health and Applied Human Sciences Community Engagement405.) Annual Pottery Sale at UNCW406.) Annual Pottery Sale at Halyburton407.) Efforts on Closing the Achievement Gap in New Hanover County408.) Voices trying for Diversity on the School Board409.) Senior Projects at Ashley 410.) Cape Fear Academy Young Democrats411.) New Hanover High School Young Democrats412.) Hoggard Young Democrats413.) Middle of the Island Catering414.) Bowman’s Seafood! 415.) Fort Fisher 416.) Not having to pay to park to go to the beach at Kure417.) Not having to pay to park to go the beach at Fort Fisher418.) Beautiful beaches 419.) The view from the MLK parkway of the swampy area420.) The way the MLK was built not to encroach421.) The splash pad at the north side pool422.) The community garden at Creekwood 423.) The dogwoods in bloom on college acres drive424.) The gold fish outside of original La Costa425.) The Lilly’s in the fountain at the arboretum 426.) The garden’s at the aquarium427.) The eel room at the aquarium428.) The fountain in Lumina Station 429.) The lawn in front of hoggard430.) The municipal golf course431.) What’s left of the woods behind our house432.) the amphitheater at Greenfield lake433.) Elderhaus434.) The amazing clients at the Elderhaus435.) The staff and directors of the Elderhaus436.) The greenery on the bellamy mansion at Christmas437.) The lights on the bushes in front of UNCW during the holidays438.) The wind before a rain 439.) The mild temps in early spring and late fall440.) The moon over the ocean 441.) Access to the ocean whenever I want it 442.) Lack of traffic 443.) Ogden Optical444.) BB&T Oleander Branch445.) Suntrust446.) First Citizens community involvement447.) Kate Bruce being named professor of the year!448.) Blood sugar under 120449.) Health Insurance450.) Blood pressure being moderate!451.) Our annual Christmas party with friends452.) Little crystals to share453.) Our annual holiday CD454.) Christmas cards455.) Giving gifts456.) Photographs of friends457.) Mother’s genealogy work458.) Facebook459.) Email forwards from John Myers460.) Email forwards from Ann Boseman461.) Beth’ Robert’s Halloween Costumes462.) UNCW PRIDE Student463.) Office of Diversity and Inclusion464.) Centro Hispano465.) Multicultural Office466.) The Boseman TenHusein Scholarship467.) UNCW College Democrats468.) Hosting the 1st Senate Debate Here at UNCW469.) Hosting the 1st Lt. Governor Debate here at UNCW470.) Lt. Governor Meet and Greet471.) Obama Rally at UNCW!472.) Hillary Downtown in Person!473.) Meeting Hillary and talking to her about Poverty and Important Issues!474.) Students for Change!475.) Precinct 24 get out the vote476.) The leadership of PRIDE477.) The Leadership of the College Democrats478.) A sense of place in this community479.) A deeper understanding of the community around me480.) Those who care enough to tell me the truth 481.) NAAP482.) NAACP Banquet483.) Human Relations Commission484.) The greeting I get going into Pita Delight485.) The good customer service at BB&T486.) The good phone service from the Honors Office487.) The great customer service at Hangers on College Road488.) The Personal attention we get at Brasserie 489.) The warmth we feel when we go any event at CFCC490.) The amazing follow up and attention from the CFCC foundation491.) How special one is made to feel at the City Club492.) The attention to detail at DeRossett493.) The great food at Carabbas 494.) Stephenson Honda!495.) Stephenson Honda Service496.) Our Element (ok…really MY element..but I kinda share)497.) that we have two cars498.) my garage/creative space499.) ability to paint a little from time to time500.) to be able to just stay at home and enjoy being together501.) to be able to just to watch tv from time to time502.) to be able to watch a movie503.) to sleep on a bed 504.) to sleep well!505.) To not regret my past506.) To have time to enjoy 507.) Mayfaire Cinemas!508.) To read 509.) To play from time to time510.) To have our books511.) Our DVDs512.) To have time to play backgammon513.) To share with others our interests514.) To share with each other our interest515.) To just have a day off516.) To pray as we desire without fear517.) To vote without fear518.) To feel safer than before Nov. 4th519.) To have food in our cabinets520.) To have electricity521.) To have clean running water522.) To have a tax base that ensure the best for everyone523.) To be able to share 524.) To be able to be involved with those who share and give525.) To live out of a sense of abundance rather than scarcity526.) To have more than one set of clothing 527.) To have new clothing528.) To be able to wash that clothing in our home529.) To be able to dry that clothing in our home530.) To be able to refrigerate our food531.) To have a rodent free home 532.) To have a small yard in which to enjoy533.) To be able to take a hot shower534.) To be able to take a hot bath535.) To be able to entertain536.) To be able to brush my teeth537.) To be able to use an indoor bathroom538.) To be able to have a sanitary please to prepare food539.) To have a sanitary place to eat food540.) To live in sanitary surroundings541.) To live in relatively safe surroundings542.) To live without fear of death or harm each day543.) To have lights on my street that stay lit544.) To have lawns that are mowed 545.) To have streets that stay cleaned546.) Having access to food easily547.) Having access to medicine easily548.) Having access to basic needs easily549.) Having my spiritual needs met550.) Having books and resources to learn551.) Having access to information552.) Having the ability to read553.) Having the ability to write554.) Having the ability to speak standard English555.) Having the full function of my mind and body556.) Being able to remember each day 557.) To be aware of my motives558.) To be challenged by those who care about me when I might be wrong559.) to have my mother and step dad in town and have them proud of me560.) to have my dad knowing what I am doing and proud of me561.) to truly understand what it means to have a “best friend and partner”562.) for the experiences I learn from those who have come before me 563.) for the lessons I learn from the youth that surround me564.) Boseman Gallery in the union565.) Stonewall Democrats566.) OutWilmington Continuing and going strong567.) The work of the board of OutWilmington568.) The Programming of OutWilmington569.) Wilmington PRIDE570.) Wilmington Peace Meet up571.) WHA Property Managers572.) UNCW/WHA Community Campus Grand Opening573.) UNCW Women’s Basket Ball team574.) Gang Task force575.) 10 year Plan to end Homelessness Group576.) Youth Violence Task Force 577.) Affordable Housing Coalition578.) Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina579.) Youth Build 580.) Intracoastal Realty 581.) Intracoastal Realty Teacher’s Fund582.) Intracoastal Realty Honors Scholarship583.) Burbage Scholarship584.) Corbett Honors Scholarship585.) Women’s Club Honors Scholarship586.) Porta Nails Scholarship587.) Rotary Scholarships (East, West and Downtown!)588.) Friends Scholarship589.) Moore Scholarship590.) All the folks who make scholarship a priority to help students! 591.) Kenan House592.) Wise House593.) Landfall Foundation594.) Wilmington One595.) Wilmington Executive’s Club596.) Living so close to work 597.) Opportunity to serve598.) Able to go to places easily from here. 599.) To stay connected with people so easily600.) To be reconnected with people from years ago601.) To be 41 and not afraid of cameras602.) To make webpages for people for causes I care about603.) The honors house community604.) The honors house605.) The schwuites!606.) The scholars lounge607.) Honors mid year medallioning608.) Honors spring graduation ceremony609.) Flowers for the Elderhaus610.) Four Seasons Trophy Shop611.) Coastal Engraving612.) The geraniums from the Plant Place 613.) The poinsettias from the plant place614.) The staff council poinsettia sale615.) The staff council scholarship616.) The staff council617.) Budget managers meetings618.) CAB theater 619.) CAB Concert hall620.) Shinn Plaza621.) The Schweitzer Honors Scholars 622.) UNCW Magazine623.) Peripulus624.) The Facebook Honors Group625.) The facebook Chamber Group626.) The facebook Honors Alumni Group627.) The facebook NHCDP Group628.) The facebook College Dems Group629.) The Facebook OutWilmington Group630.) The facebook CFCC Bond Group631.) The facebook Senator Boseman Group632.) E-Jude633.) News 14 Carolina634.) The government channel635.) Watching city council on tv636.) Watching the school board on tv637.) Watching county commission on tv638.) Watching the planning commission639.) Watching the county planning commission640.) The parking decks downtown641.) The trolley’s 642.) The horse drawn carriage 643.) The sanitary water dispensery at the foot of market644.) The kenan fountain645.) Flu shots at the Public Health Department646.) Flu Shots at UNCW647.) Public health nurses in schools648.) Public Health Foundation first golf tournament at the Muni649.) Monthly sustainers for Coastal Horizons650.) Monthly sustainers for any non profit in the region651.) To be able to type652.) For steak at texas roadhouse…yes, texas roadhouse!653.) For being indulged in my blue crystal obsession654.) For the opportunity to have influence and interaction with youth655.) for the opportunity to decorate at Christmas 656.) to have the kinds of things I want to decorate for Christmas657.) to share our home at Christmas and the love that comes with it658.) to have the students over at Christmas659.) to be able to cook and share that cooking!660.) The path through the neighborhoods to Mayfaire661.) The ease of getting around town662.) The WHA offices 663.) The WHA Employee Appreciation Ceremony664.) The WHA Annual Meeting and Scholarship Awards Ceremony665.) The opportunities that are on the horizon for affordable housing666.) the GED Program at Rachel Freeman667.) The GED Program at the Community Campus668.) The Job Placement Program at the Community Campus669.) CFCC Basic Skills Program670.) The Cornerstone Laid at Maides Park with Mrs. Moseley671.) The Ground breaking for the expansion of the Maides Park Facility672.) Pawn USA 673.) Razor Walker Awards674.) Travel department at UNCW675.) Purchasing Card Department at UNCW676.) ARA Catering at UNCW677.) The Plant Place678.) Eddie’s Floral Gallery679.) Union Missionary Baptist Transitional Housing 680.) Ladies of Legacy Dinner 681.) Stepping Stone Manor682.) Shriner’s Fish Fry 683.) Lobster Fest at Church of the Servant684.) Democratic Women of New Hanover County685.) Unity Banquet686.) Obama Team in New Hanover County687.) Hagan Team in New Hanover County688.) The Dog Park at Empie 689.) The Skate Park at Greenfield690.) The cypress knees at Greenfield691.) The deer at Fort Fisher692.) Jervay693.) Homeownership programs694.) HUB Contracting at UNCW695.) New Hanover Community Action696.) Thanksgiving dinner for seniors at Taylor697.) The pointe at Taylor Homes698.) The Pointe at Taylor Homes being completely leased up699.) The glass cases at Randall Library 700.) The thirsty tome series701.) The silent movies at Randall702.) Cinematique703.) Arts in Action at UNCW704.) Episcopal Campus Ministry705.) Facebook Session with the students in Tri-house706.) The Rachel Freeman Award707.) The legacy of Rachel Freeman708.) The naming of the new tennis complex after Althea Gibson709.) The dog park at Empie710.) The accessible recreation folks711.) The fundraiser for the miracle field712.) The fundraiser for the playground at Olsen713.) The Kiwanis714.) Wilmington downtown Inc715.) The leadership of Wilmington downtown inc716.) The wonderful candles on the riverwalk717.) Pilot house718.) Deluxe719.) The culinary students at CFCC cooking for us720.) Cape fear wood turners721.) CFCC North Campus722.) The kingoff clock being back on the street723.) The Schwartz center724.) The pancakes from the Kiwanis725.) Our new library at home726.) My warm chair to relax in 727.) To be able to go with Michael where he wants to go728.) Barnes and Noble729.) Target730.) Best buy731.) the apple store in durham is only a highway away732.) the cats chasing each other733.) or chasing the laser light 734.) or laying against my leg735.) watching him sleep736.) being awake before the alarm goes off737.) the smell of coffee in the morning738.) having coffee at the office made by others 739.) having a work environment that is so supportive740.) working together741.) seeing students grow and develop as people 742.) Seeing students grow and develop as scholars743.) Watching students success despite great odds744.) Being a part of what makes a difference745.) The crew who tend our landscape 746.) the neighbor cat guarding our front door in exchange for a treat747.) each day748.) each moment749.) the chamber legislative agenda750.) local legislators bringing home needed funding for us here751.) our elected folks listening and working with us so closely and willingly752.) to be able to speak up and out753.) communities in schools754.) filling up the bus755.) the creekwood back to school program 756.) the elks lodge757.) the many who give so generously to back to school for the children758.) the magnet schools in the area759.) cape fear center for inquiry760.) issac bear early college761.) the issac bear early college PTSA762.) the New Hanover County PTSA763.) those little college park 5th grders and their questions764.) the research for our elders by our dept of gerontology765.) College Road Animal Hospital766.) That animal hospital by tidal creek that sees animals after hours!!!767.) Apple Annie’s at Landfall768.) Ok..any apple annies!769.) Community Solutions Southeast!770.) Community Solutions Southeast expanding and becoming larger 771.) Hooks Security Systems772.) Enterprise Rental Company773.) Our postal worker774.) Our trash men (who do an amazing job)775.) The folks at the cable company at the mall who are very helpful776.) The maintenance folks at UNCW777.) The friendliest folks you can imagine at the coffee place in Randall Lib.778.) The crepe myrtle outside our house779.) Our twisted juniper at the door780.) The frogs song on a summer’s night781.) The wind on my face in summer on the beach782.) The rush of wind before a bad storm 783.) The cleansing rains of spring 784.) The cold of the short winter here and the comforter to keep us warm785.) Fresh collards after the first freeze786.) The little green lizards on the window tht drive the cats crazy787.) Picking strawberries788.) Picking blueberries789.) That there still is a place to pick in the area! 790.) Whitey’s restaurant791.) Sitting at sonic and watching the traffic792.) Nofo 793.) Build your own salad at Nofo794.) Salon beyond basics795.) Bangz796.) FSBGLAD797.) FSBGLAD Potluck798.) BGLAD training at UNCW799.) New faculty800.) New staff801.) Cape Fear Memorial 802.) Phoenix Employment Ministry803.) Sunshine coming through the skylight804.) The artifacts in the entrance to randall library 805.) Our classroom for the honors program806.) Our poster printer to support our students research807.) Undergraduate research day at UNCW808.) The chancellor’s fund to support undergraduate research travel 809.) The money for supporting students traveling abroad810.) Move in each year811.) All the volunteers for move-in each year812.) Leakey speaking at UNCW813.) E.O. Wilson Speaking at UNCW814.) The Evolution Learning Community at UNCW815.) Honors SeaHawk Links816.) UNCW Ambassadors817.) UNCW SeaHawk Specialists818.) UNCW Admissions staff819.) Henry’s 820.) The meeting being there on Monday821.) Friends who have been there 822.) The staff at HEO823.) Our intern at HEO this year824.) Having leo dauwer in Wilmington to guide us825.) The WHA Christmas Gathering and Meeting826.) Circe pawing at my face827.) The veterans memorial being almost compete downtown828.) The marker at the foot of dock on the slave route829.) The Tree Commission award for Taylor Estates830.) The Tree Commission831.) Upcoming Park Awards832.) Casper’s Swap meets833.) The boot sales at St. Jude’s834.) The yard sale this year and meeting new neighbors835.) Watching Serial Mom for the 1000th time836.) Knowing its Christmas because we watched the Ref837.) Going to sleep with Murder by Death on for the 1000th time838.) Watching Fringe because I know he loves it839.) Watching Judge Judy because he knows I love it840.) The internet841.) The City of Wilmington web site842.) UNCW’s Website843.) Coastal Horizons’ Website844.) Public Health Foundation’s Website845.) Board of Elections Website846.) The NHCDP Office on Randall Parkway847.) Boseman’s sporting goods848.) Starbucks on south college849.) La Costa’s food850.) La Costa’s live music on the weekend’s 851.) Indocine 852.) The garden’s at Indocine853.) The Ivy Cottage854.) Port City Properties855.) Chadworth Columns856.) Best western downtown857.) Coastline Convention Center858.) Donn Ansell’s new TV show on CBS Sunday Mornings859.) CONA’s election forums860.) Chamber election forums861.) WHQR election forum862.) Early voting sites863.) The amazing poll workers 864.) MOI Pork Chops865.) Lifeskills866.) Wilmington in Black and White867.) The 1898 foundation868.) The Wilmington 10 survivors869.) Partners for Economic Inclusion870.) Small Business Incubation 871.) More incentives to come for small businesses in our community872.) Development of incentives for infrastructure for our neighborhoods873.) Green building being so prevalent on builders’ minds874.) Nan graham’s southern dinner at Casey’s with the students875.) Nan’s Christmas dinner for her class876.) The Cultural dinners for students in Wilmington877.) Caitlin Brooks New Children’s book878.) Playing santa this year879.) For showing Senator Hagan affordable housing issues880.) Affordable housing being developed881.) Interest in workforce housing and support for it882.) Lowe’s produce883.) Cheap baked goods after 7884.) Our annual trip to get our Christmas angel885.) Belks at the mall886.) The butterfly’s at the Dudley887.) Magnolia blossoms on campus888.) Spanish moss in the trees889.) An amazing city890.) A great city of people who either bless me or teach me891.) A great city of people who allow me to participate and be a part892.) A community of folk who care and care for each other and the community893.) A place where we can disagree but still get things done894.) A place where we can have divergent beliefs but find common ground895.) All of the teachers in this community who do the hand to hand each day896.) A community who boast a number of veterans and thank them897.) A county that is pink..not red!  in southeastern north Carolina898.) A county that is the hub for so much good in the region899.) A nation that has taken a hold of itself and is on a new and better day

900.) To know that the loss of anything above, only means that a new list can be created, if I choose to see what blessings, what abundance I have rather than what I do not have.

Thank you.

MIssing him, but so glad and so proud he is a part of America and made his message a part of the dialogue..it is up to us to keep it alive! Up to us! Up to us!