Today August 14. 2020, is David and my 26th wedding anniversary. What better time to make a check list of things I am thankful for? This is in no way complete—and I’m sure after posting, I’ll remember some sweet production assistant who I omitted. But here goes:
Debra’s 26th Wedding Anniversary Grateful List
- Mangoes;
- My cat Mini who fetches a ball like a puppy;
- Meeting astonishing people in the course of 25 years of documentary filmmaking like Sister Judith Ann Duvall of the Third Order of St. Francis, who I filmed for Divine Prescription and now ten years later, we’re driving to Illinois to interview her again for Hurting Inside: Women, Faith and the Opioid Crisis;
- David, the best husband in the world AND who cuts mangoes for me every day;
- A home with lots of outdoor space for me to grow things and give us the freedom to walk around- a blessing in this time of a pandemic;
- A father who taught me about money and the market;
- Malted milk balls;
- David, the best husband in the world, who buys me the malted milk balls when I run out;
- Getting Lobsang and Palden out after a year of detention—their crime? Asking for asylum;
- A mother who taught me two life hacks: how to make spaghetti sauce, and, no matter how many pounds you may have in the freezer, buy butter if it’s on sale;
- A posse of friends at the university who always have my back, you know who I’m talking about Howie and Alexander;
- David surviving, and then flourishing after open heart surgery;
- Advocating for Kirssy to be named valedictorian, which she so richly deserved;
- A work out room so I don’t gain ALL the weight I would’ve if I didn’t work out during this lockdown—though God knows, I gained enough;
- Netflix and the five season Rake; and Andrea Savage’s I’m Sorry, because full-frontal sarcasm like that gives me a high;
- My Uncles Jerold and Matthew who are still very much alive and kicking; and my Aunt Sally, who being the one Democrat in Florida’s Villages at 80+ is ready to take the Republicans on;
- Six Emmys;
- Our trips to Italy, France, Greece, Spain and Portugal- each one better than the last;
- My crazy bff Jo-Ann, who is certifiable, but I know she would do anything for me;
- Have I mentioned mangoes?
- Smidget, Bunky, Barnes and Noble and Cooper, who are the “cat’s meow” the mango of my eye, and make our house a home;
- No COVID;
- All the people I know wear masks;
- Still able to create and come up with at least one outrageous idea a day;
- David, the best husband in the world, loves driving and will be Commandeer in Chief on our journey ahead;
- That 26 years ago, on a Sunday afternoon, in a Chabad Center on the West side of Manhattan, under a chuppah held up by broom and mop handles, David and I read our original, personally written vows.
Take Time to Be Grateful. Because I’m certain, even if you don’t like mangoes, your list will be extensive as well.
