Reasons to Stay Alive

I can't remember when exactly I started writing this. It was definitely after the first snow, so maybe mid-October. But these aren't chronological, nor are they ranked or ordered in any particular way.
This is an ongoing list, and obviously specific to me. I don't expect anyone to relate to all of them. But I remember having an extremely difficult first year at Indiana University, and a real need to see God's presence and comfort in life. So I started writing these to recognize the goodness and blessings of God in even the littlest things. Reminders of joys and things to look forward to. Reasons to stay alive.

1. The shadows of branches over the sidewalk at night under the glow of streetlamps.
2. When snow collects on even the skinniest of branches,
3. And on sidewalks and roads when they haven't been plowed yet.
4. When the sun is out even when it's really cold outside.
5. The feeling of cool blankets,
6. And warm blankets in the winter.
7. The texture of towels and quilts against your ear.
8. Smooth handwriting: perfectly swerved curls at the ends of my q's and g's and y's.
9. The orthogonal lines made by trees along a sidewalk,
10. And by fence posts or columns.
11. Best friends.
12. Goodnight texts.
13. How trees are stained dark after they're soaked with rain,
14. And how all the colors outside intensify.
15. The way sun sparkles off the rain during sun showers.
16. The reflections from giant puddles of water,
17. And reflected glows from sunsets and sunrises.
18. The way rain runs down the limestone walls of the IU Art museum,
19. And down glass windows.
20. The yellow and red and orange trees in the southern area of campus in the fall,
21. And the blazing golden leaves on the tree outside my window that same season.
22. When you can see the sun's rays faintly streaming through the window.
23. Giving birthday presents.
24. Planning awesome events.
25. When you wrap your arms around Timmy's little big body so comfortably,
26. And when he snuggles next to me when reading books or playing piano.
27. The smell of the bedding section in department stores.
28. Gliding down hills and slight declines on a bike with the wind rushing through.
29. Eating family style, with family, with friends.
30. Really good hair days. 
31. The hundreds, thousands, millions of stars in the clear night sky away from city lights,
32. And the crisp breeze that hits you when you look up to see them.
33. Staring at paint strokes on art work in museums.
34. The silence in art museums,
35. The silence beyond slow moving shoes and low murmured speech.
36. Long, warm naps.
37. Hiking on mountains, but only the way up.
38. How patches of snow remain behind the shadows of trees when the sun comes out.
39. Really, really fluffy snowflakes that gather like cotton and look like stars.
40. Foot paths and squirrel prints in the snow.
41. The sound of the Jordan river after it rains or the snow melts.
42. Raindrops on the tips of branches.
43. Lights in thick fog,
44. And woods surrounded by fog.
45. All the trees with the tiny flower buds in early April.
46. The beach: the water, the sun, the sand, the shells, the smell, the wind.
47. Trying new food in small, authentic restaurants.
48. Being a tourist and taking photos around a new city.
49. The sounds of spring.
50. Lunch dates.
51. The clouds on the bluest days.
52. When storm clouds float away. 
53. Texas thunderstorms: the lightening, the rumble, and when it down pours outside.
54. Driving at night when it's raining,
55. And all the traffic lights reflect off shiny roads.
56. The rays of sun that peer through downward slanted blinds in my room early in the morning,
57. And the shadow of dancing trees in the window,
58. And when the moonlight peeks through at night.
59. Singing really out of tune,
60. Especially for birthday songs.
61. Occasions for panoramic photos.
62. The gentle ticking of the second hand on an automatic/mechanical watch.
63. Dogs, just the big ones. 
64. Giant selfies,
65. And just pictures taken with other people.
66. Spontaneous movie nights. 
67. Chatting and catching up with siblings,
68. And joking with the whole family around the dining table.
69. Answered prayers.
70. Laughing till your breath leaves you,
71. And you can't stop laughing to tell the story about why you're laughing.
72. Slender crescent moons.
73. Night drives on Dallas highways.
74. When God shows his blessings and love through your close friends and family,
75. And all you can think is, thank you God.