The first day of our lake vacation might be gray, cold and rainy, but I am in good spirits. I might not be sitting in the bow of my boat, catching fish, but I remain thankful.I am thankful that I live in a country in which people less fortunate than me can get medical care. The system is far from perfect, but absent a better solution from those who oppose it, it will do.

I am thankful that I live in a country in which people may marry whomever they love. It’s been a long time coming, but this is a significant victory for civil rights. (The rainbow spray on social media and in our nation’s capital were nice, too.)

I am thankful that I live in a country in which people of all religions are allowed to pray as they like. Okay, so maybe we’re not quite there yet, but we’re better off today than we were 10 years ago.

I am thankful that I live in a country in which despite the petty political differences that divide us, most of us are pretty decent people. We still live in a country in which party lines don’t necessarily separate the good people from the bad.

I am thankful that I live in a country that is finally beginning to weed out racism—stem and root. We still have a long way to go, but my spirits are buoyed by the fact that some of the most deeply entrenched symbols of racism are being stripped away, and those who cling to old prejudices are being exposed.
And most of all, I am thankful that the sun will come out tomorrow—literally and figuratively. The fish have been given this reprieve, and for that, I suspect they are thankful, too.