This morning, I walked in to work from the parking lot in the woods. The city has not yet said “Good morning” and the street lights still glow. But a little one is wide awake in the top of the tree, and she is welcoming me with a “Yoo hoo!”

It’s probably the sound I miss the most, now that I no longer live here. The city is full of my yoo hoo birds, and I have sweet memories of early morning walks and a walking pace set to the sounds of the yoo hoos in the trees.

It was as if she was saying, “Hey, remember me? I am still here, and this is your reminder to walk and be grateful with every step you take.”

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I am grateful for early mornings before the city is awake.

I am grateful for Chickadee yoo hoo birds.

I am grateful for a boss who makes it a game to see if he can beat me to work when I am here in town.

I am grateful for productivity.

I am grateful for a reprieve from conflict.

I am grateful for a nice couch hotel – thanks, Dad.

I am grateful for good dreams or no dreams as opposed to the other alternative.

I am grateful for the comfort of silence and seclusion, said the closet introvert in me.

I am grateful for my hearing aid’s blue tooth capability.

I am grateful for stairs to climb and sore muscles.

I am grateful for four eggs that I forgot I left in the office fridge so that I can keep my routine breakfast for two days.

I am grateful for a city alive with all things red and Chiefs, which makes me grateful that Dad wants to go drive around tonight to see the beauty of a city alive with all things red and Chiefs.

And I am grateful for the hymn, “Each Step I Take.” Internal jukebox today, for sure.