Being thankful

One morning, like any other, in December, I was lulled awake by my clock radio and my favorite public station. I took my time, as I had taken the day off, and enjoyed the warmth and comfort of my beautiful bed with a great mattress, clean sheets, and fluffy comforter. I got up, used my indoor plumbing, and made hot tea, with sugar and fresh milk, and I climbed back in bed and watched my favorite morning show on TV. When my dog finally woke up, we took a walk outside through the beautiful lawns and gardens of the six acres where I live.

I then brushed my teeth with toothpaste and clean running water, in my brightly lit bathroom, and put in my contact lenses, which enable me to see near and far all day. I took the medicine that I am prescribed by my attentive and expert physicians, all of which are available and affordable due to the many medical facilities in the area and the excellent and reasonable insurance I carry. I took a long, hot shower and dried my hair with an electric hair dryer and chose warm and comfortable clothing from a full closet.

I worked for a while on my computer, answered some emails, and read through a magazine. I then picked whatever I felt like from a stocked pantry and refrigerator and easily cooked my lunch. I jumped into my car and drove just down the street to fill it up with affordable gasoline and grab a coffee to go. I checked my GPS for the shortest route and drove to the mall while I listened to a book on tape.

At the mall, I enjoyed all of the decorations and watched the happy children visiting with Santa. I had a few Christmas gifts mailed. I then chose from the many restaurants and ordered exactly what I felt like from a long menu.

When I got home, I ran the dishwasher and did a load of laundry. My dog and I then curled up on the sofa and watched a couple of TV shows that I had saved on my DVR.

Before I go to bed, I always go outside and look up at the sky. I think: I am under the same moon as my friends that I visit in Ghana where not one of the things described above is available. Not to millions and millions and millions of people. Not one.

Juliet W. Moore has been a resident of the southern Berkshires and northwest Connecticut since 1978. She has made trips to the Old Ningo area of Ghana over the past several years.