Eighteen good things to be thankful for

It’s Thanksgiving in the US, when usually we gather in extended families, quarrel vociferously, and eat and drink far too much. No gathering this year due to the corona virus, but lots of good things to be thankful for:

1. A peaceful election with a clear result and a decent man as winner.
2. The recommitment of my country to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
3. All the poll workers and election boards that prepared well and executed to virtual perfection.
4. The courts that have dismissed frivolous lawsuits, in defiance of the President.
5. The voters who turned out (or in the case of mailed ballots turned in) in record numbers to make their will known.
6. The media who didn’t fall for lies and Russian-, Chinese- or Iranian-sponsored memes.
7. The health care workers who have tried so hard to keep us safe and cure us when we get ill.
8. No serious symptoms among a few infected colleagues.
9. Whoever published the genome of the corona virus, thus enabling quick work to develop a vaccine.
10. The scientists who labor to invent vaccines and develop treatments for Covid-19.
11. The millions of essential workers who have been delivering our food and mail, picking up our trash, guarding our workplaces, running the internet, and doing all the rest that makes staying home and social distancing possible.
12. My students and fellow professors, who have risen to the challenge of remote learning with willing spirits.
13. My colleagues all over the globe, who are hosting meetings and engaging across borders as never before.
14. Health institutions worldwide that have refused to cave even under enormous strain.
15. The political leaders who have shown that vigorous, early action can limit spread of the virus.
16. Fellow citizens who wear masks and keep their distance.
17. A city that has taken the epidemic seriously and continues to do so.
18. Two wonderful sons, two equally wonderful daughters-in-law, three fantastic grandchildren, and a wife who also loves them all.

I’ll stop there, as 18 is also a good number signifying “life” in Hebrew. May all my readers be as fortunate as I am in this unsettled and risky world!