January 8: I am grateful for the skills I have that enable me to do my job. The picture looks as though I am heading for the light, but it's meant to show me listening, which is why it is mostly a picture of my ear, Listening is a lot of what I do, and talking; sometimes I talk too much, and don't listen enough.

January 9: I am grateful that I know how to drive. I drove to the coast today, to a place of peace, a place of sanctuary, a place to continue to revive and recover I got my driver's licence many moons ago, not long after I turned 18. I sat my driving test in the middle of my HSC exams and I was not so surprised to learn that I had failed said test. My first mistake was driving off without putting my seatbelt on, and it just got worse from there. So, I put my disappointment away and managed to get through the exams,; I passed the HSC, and during the summer got my licence without mishap. Then the ability to drive meant freedom, independence and escape. I guess being able to drive still means these things to me.
January 10: Today I am grateful for coffee, in my favourite cup.
January 11: I am grateful for the glorious sunset; we watched the sun slowly sink, making beautiful glittering patterns on the water. We listened to the parrots and cicadas gradually quiet as dusk fell and the stars started to appear.