Trying to be grateful here.

So much has happened in just 20 days.
So many things to be worried about.
So much sleep I'm not getting because I'm waking up at 3:00 a.m. and worrying what ELSE can happen.

But then I think about all of the things that HAVE happened. Things that, sure, I never would have expected to happen if things had gone differently in November, but I find myself unbelievably grateful that they have happened at all.

1. My kids and I, watching the Senate votes on CSPAN as though they are episodes of a reality show (which they kind of ARE, but...)

2. "Watching" the audio feed of the 9th Circuit proceedings on CNN the other day, and feeling relieved that so many insanely intelligent people are part of our judicial system in this country! (AND WOOT! They just refused to reinstate the ban!)

3. Watching the "debate" between Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz with my family and wondering how much of the audience for CNN is really "woke" now.

4. The in-depth stories from Rachel Maddow. The many wonderful segments from Samantha Bee. The many excellent guests and clever POVs from Trevor Noah and The Daily Show. Dozens of hilarious monologues from Stephen Colbert. And of course, the gleeful, unflinching satire from SNL.

5. Realizing once again that democracy is not a spectator sport. Women's March? Done. Huddling soon. Donating to any and all races where it might make a difference. (If you haven't already, check out Jason Kander's initiative: https://www.letamericavote.org)

6. I am especially grateful for social media. Pretty sure 2004 would have worked out very differently if we'd had Twitter, because it's a great way to "parse" a story.

7. And of course I AM absolutely, completely, overwhelmingly grateful for everyone here at DU. I truly believe if we hang together and keep our focus, we definitely got this.