The Ways I Know You're There

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I am grateful for Saturdays. Very grateful.

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I am grateful for another on time flight.

Some of my colleagues were not so lucky. Some didn't get home until midnight - six to seven hours later than anticipated.

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I am grateful for all of the laughter today.

My team really needed a nice, relaxing dinner together.

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I am grateful for time to relax this evening.

I am grateful for the time to relax and enjoy friends this evening. It doesn't happen often enough when I am on the road.

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I am grateful for Walgreens and Osco pharmacies.

I forgot a medication at home and am traveling for the week. They were able to work together, long distance, to get me what I needed smoothly.

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I am grateful for friends.

I am grateful for the note a dear friend sent me via Facebook today. In part…he wrote that I am passionate, courageous, generous…that I give life, love, gratitude and believe in others…that I am beautiful, have a brain and know exactly how to use it. I treasure your words.

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I am grateful for Peyton Manning.

Another great game! Looking forward to the Super Bowl!

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I am grateful for those who continue to challenge me.

They often show me who I do not want to be.

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I am grateful for Netflix on this cold, snowy evening.

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I am grateful that it is one of those Fuckit Fridays.

Right on time this week.

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I am grateful for those who serve in the Armed Forces.

I am grateful for those who serve in the Armed Forces. I challenge you to buy one of them a meal or coffee to say thank you. Anonymously, of course.

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I am grateful for the people who work to reduce HIV infections every day.

I am grateful for the people who do this work every day. They are tireless, focused and dedicated individuals. Please check out the great work some folks are doing in Chicago.

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I am grateful for Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kins

I am grateful that Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings will be in Chicago on Thursday, April 11th. I've been looking forward to this show for months! If you haven't heard of them, check them out soon.

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I am grateful for the time to have dinner with friends.

I am grateful for the wonderful dinner that I shared this evening with a dear friend. We shared stories, laughter and created memories! I hope you have friends with whom to share many dinners.

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I am grateful for social media.

Every day, friends share with me through blogs, Facebook, Twitter, google+ and other social media. It may be how you’re feeling, challenges you’re going through, funny things you found online, movies, life events and so much more. Keep sharing and I’ll reading what you share.

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I am grateful for the Marine Corps League that I belong to.

This is a great group of Marines and Corpsmen who I get the pleasure of hanging out with every month. They range from guys who just enlisted to World War II veterans. They share their stories and open their arms to me each month. The conversation is stimulating and the hugs are even better. Semper fi!

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I am grateful that none of my apartment windows cracked today because of the cold.

A friend of mine wasn't so lucky. Imagine sitting at home, eating dinner and you hear what sounds like a snowball hitting a window in your home. At least that's your first thought. You get up to investigate only to find that the -15 temperatures (-38 degrees with wind chill) have cracked a window in your home. He said the only reason he even thought you check was that I had mentioned it on a team call that morning. Good thing I did as he was able to tape it and cover it up before the crack spread further. It was also a good thing that he was home because he was supposed to be traveling this week. Otherwise, his home could have been very cold when he got back.