Grateful for My 26th Wedding Anniversary

Today August 14. 2020, is David and my 26^th 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

1. Mangoes;
2. My cat Mini who fetches a ball like a puppy;
3. 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;
4. David, the best husband in the world AND who cuts mangoes for me every day;
5. 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;
6. A father who taught me about money and the market;
7. Malted milk balls;
8. David, the best husband in the world, who buys me the malted milk balls when I run out;
9. Getting Lobsang and Palden out after a year of detention—their crime? Asking for asylum;
10. 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;
11. A posse of friends at the university who always have my back, you know who I’m talking about Howie and Alexander;
12. David surviving, and then flourishing after open heart surgery;
13. Advocating for Kirssy to be named valedictorian, which she so richly deserved;
14. 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;
15. Netflix and the five season Rake; and Andrea Savage’s I’m Sorry, because full-frontal sarcasm like that gives me a high;
16. 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;
17. Six Emmys;
18. Our trips to Italy, France, Greece, Spain and Portugal- each one better than the last;
19. My crazy bff Jo-Ann, who is certifiable, but I know she would do anything for me;
20. Have I mentioned mangoes?
21. Smidget, Bunky, Barnes and Noble and Cooper, who are the “cat’s meow” the mango of my eye, and make our house a home;
22. No COVID;
23. All the people I know wear masks;
24. Still able to create and come up with at least one outrageous idea a day;
25. David, the best husband in the world, loves driving and will be Commandeer in Chief on our journey ahead;
26. 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.