16 Comments
Apr 10Liked by Courtney Martin

I have two very disabled loved ones, one in her thirties and the other of preschool age. Medicaid and federal/state services have been of incalculable value, as no one could afford to pay out of pocket for the services and medications they require. I am grateful for the people who deliver services through these programs.

I am happy for the public schools that served me and all three of my children, in all four of our cases diverse, urban public schools. There were some outstanding teachers in the stream for each of them.

Our local public library was an incredible resource for my three kids.

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I love our county library. I love the bus drivers and the busses that get me up the hill to work when I don't want to walk and make it so I never have to drive to work. And I love, of all things, our DMV. They are unfailingly helpful. There's rarely ever a line. And when I do everything DMV related there rather than mailing in to the state, more money stays in the county, in part paying the salaries of their lovely staff. So, it's a win-win!

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You write beautifully and your message is about love. Most certainly, enough love would heal our suffering society. Please tell me what DMV means. I'm all in for a win-win. Barbara

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It's the Department of Motor Vehicles, which is the bureaucratic Ninth Circle of Hell in most municipalities. But here it's great and I am grateful.

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Apr 10Liked by Courtney Martin

It feels like a betrayal of sorts to express thanks for systems such as schooling that are so underfunded and broken but I like it. It feels good. For all its flaws there is plenty to be grateful for.

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I’m grateful for our local library and the post office.

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Apr 11Liked by Courtney Martin

Positive gossip! What a great activity - and term for it. Working on starting today.

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Apr 11Liked by Courtney Martin

This is brilliant, Courtney. Lead with gratitude, always. Could it be the simple profound answer?

I’ve gone in and out of gratitude practices for decades. I’ve even held workshops teaching gratitude practices.

For some reason what you’ve written today strikes a chord, opens a gate, helps ease a deep pain I feel for this terribly flawed and beloved world.

Lead with gratitude, always. My new mantra. 🙏🏻

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Ah, this makes me so happy Karen. Thanks for sharing. I'm grateful to you!

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Apr 10Liked by Courtney Martin

Well said, Courtney. May it be so!

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Yes! You've nailed it with this column. Henry James urged his nephew that there is only one lesson to be learned in life: GRATITUDE! DD

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Yes!!! Gratitude is not romantic and soft - it's essential individually and corporately. Let's keep telling each other these truths.

Thank you.

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HI Courtney, Just finding you through this fantastic and hopeful piece ! You popped up when I googled democracy. Thank you for this! I look forward to following along here as a fellow Northern Cal gal. I shared your link through my blog. We need your uplifting message.

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This may be the most important thing I’ve read in a long time ❤️

Here in Minnesota, I’m beyond grateful for our Early Childhood & Family Education programs. Our weekly sessions with other families and parent educators has been a lifeline for me since I became a parent 5 years ago. The program is celebrating 50 years this year and I would love to see it in more states!

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Oh and how could I forget WIC! Such lovely support from counselors as I navigated breastfeeding three very different babies.

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Bravo!

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