Gratitude

Roy fielded a number of invitations to do "socially distant feasting", thanking his ridiculously generous friends, but refusing politely. "Well, if you change your mind, just call us!" "At least come by for pie!" "Are you planning something special?" He was vague in his reply, smiling and asking about them (changing the subject gently). Roy rose to turn the thermostat way down. He stepped outside to gather snow, letting it melt to provide a glass of water, and took his place on the couch with the lights off (wrapped in his day clothes and a threadbare blanket he kept in the trunk of his car). The hours went by and his stomach growled, but he did not budge - looking out of the window at the stars trying their very best to shine down on absolutely everyone. "Dude, seriously, come over!" the text said; Roy smiled warmly and turned his phone off. Today, he would go without; he would be cold and hungry and alone ... and he would bless all of the others who suffered in the same way. "I will look at my life tonight - really look at it (all of it)," Roy whispered into the darkness, "and be genuinely grateful.”