I was making this list in my head while I was falling asleep and I didn't want to forget.

Gratitude: noun [grat-i-tood] the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.

that leaves change color, my bicycle, rooftops, fire escapes, waving at trains, finding Alexei at the Farmer's Market, the way people are nice in Austin, the closeness of cities in the Northeast, closing my eyes, seeing the Frost Building from my window, wishing on a star and finding out the peson next to you made the same wish, zines, libraries, John Steinbeck, memory of floating handmade paper boats down a river in Baltimore County, Britt's stories (that come in the form of letters and make me grin from ear to ear), the experience of living in Maine, walking in the snow, walking, towns where mail comes in "General Delivery", the Giants winning the Super Bowl, rusty bottlecaps, knowing how to drive, the last name Marquardt, being Italian, that flat tire, embroidery, my mom's sewing lessons, being reminded I love to embroider, cemetery flowers, Ashville, NC, Baltimore stories, having male friends finally, my health, peas and mac and cheese, french fries, grackels, sitting outside when it's cold and no one wanting to leave because everyone is having a great time, dark beers, pepper, onions and garlic, darkrooms, talking outloud to myself and being caught, glasses, impromptu yoga, falling asleep when I don't mean to, David Simon and all he has produced, pens and paper, grandpa, all those people who I don't see everyday, but when I do it seems nothing has changed, Rocket to Venus, Charm City Kitty Club, how everything is connected, repeat smiles from people I don't know, smiles, awkwardness, someone's hand on my forehead, truck stops, fields of wild flowers, wind, backroads, milk crates, sleeping in Stef's bed when she's not around, Stef, Mandy, Emmaline, Leah, Leah letting me hang out in the Props room at CenterStage, all the free plays I got to go to, the dumpster of wedding flowers I found, holding hands, porches, taking naps with dogs, rain, jade plants, learning, being brave enough to talk to new people, holgas, roasted peppers, tea bags, maps, sitting on hoods of cars, black t-shirts, leaving Baltimore, being excited to go back and visit, really good hugs, knowing there's more to be thankful for.

Goodnight.