Thanksgiving. The time when we all pause for a moment and take stock of all the things in our lives for which we are thankful. Gratitude certainly feels a lot more abundant this year.

At the top of my list is the fact that as of yesterday afternoon, all five of us are now fully vaccinated against COVID. While it’s not a complete guarantee that we will remain healthy, I am so relieved that we have done everything that we can to mitigate the spread of this virus and that my kids are as protected as they can be. Combined with their continued following of recommended hygiene precautions, and mask wearing in the appropriate circumstances, I have had a gigantic load lifted from my shoulders, and for that I am thankful.

I’m thankful that my kids have been able to get back to school in person. In 20 years, I am absolutely going to look back on the 15 or 16 months we spent together fondly and gratefully, but one of my most grateful moments of the entire year was the minute I got home from dropping all of them off at school, and I came home to a blissfully empty and quiet house.

For a solid eight hours, no one’s laptop acted up, no one’s internet disconnected, no one lost their classroom code, no one had a meltdown in the middle of one of my meetings, and I had about six coherent thoughts in a row. The sink stayed dirty dish free all day. I was able to make my own lunch, and eat it on my own schedule, instead of picking at half a pot of cold Kraft mac and cheese that someone else started and left on the counter.

Of course, I wasn’t quite completely alone. I had my new and somewhat reluctant BFF Duncan by my side. I’m grateful for all the walks he made me take, and the reminders that I needed to stop working and enjoy the weather for five minutes. I am grateful that he reminded me what a joy pet ownership can be, even when it’s a little bit of a challenge. I am also grateful to him for keeping me humble, because no matter how much we bonded during the day, once the WH walked in the door, I ceased to exist.

I have to go back up to the top of the list, because after vaccinations for the whole family, the second-place spot of gratitude has to go to our latest addition, Henson. If Dunc is our serious, hardworking, dog with a purpose, Hens is our mischievous imp, who will no doubt be a wonderful hunting dog someday, but today?

Today is about being a little bundle of joyous energy. Maybe it’s because he has spent just about all day every day since he came home with me, or maybe he just can sense my Duncan inspired insecurity, but he is always overjoyed to see me, whether I’ve just gone into the next room or I’ve been gone for hours. His puppy wiggle has not diminished one bit.

It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when you’re being mauled for puppy hugs and pets. Dunc might not want to admit it, but I think he’s quite grateful for his little brother, too.

I’m beyond thankful for simple vacations, spent in simple surroundings, with good friends. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am incredibly thankful for a world that invented Airbnb and VRBO type services. Being able to coordinate the rental of the ideal vacation cabin virtually and have absolutely no physical interaction with another person was the only way I was leaving my house this year, and we pulled it off. While I’m grateful that we were able to pull off the quick overnight stays we needed to at hotels, truly being able to relax in our own space for a good long week was just what we needed this year. Especially since we have another trip to Disney on our horizon.

I can’t believe I’m saying that, but it’s time for the marching band’s “every five or six year or something like that” trip and since this will be the only time that all three of my kids are in the band at the same time for the same trip, and, of course, we are all vaccinated, I am tamping down my … shall we say … lack of enthusiasm with “the mouse” … and we’re going for it. It will be a short trip, and mostly, I’m just thankful that my kids have been able to get back to all the stuff that they love like dance lessons, band, drama club, team sports, and their lives feel like they’re kids again.

I am certainly sad about things that are in the rearview mirror that can never be fulfilled, like E’s last year of elementary school, and all the fun things that went with it, or A’s eighth-grade dance, or G’s last year of Little League, but I am so grateful that my kids have shown the resiliency and the fortitude to start focusing on what’s in front of them.

It was no surprise to me that A jumped back into school life with both feet. He was acutely aware of the many social opportunities he had missed by staying home his freshman year, and he has been determined to experience high school to the max. It was, however, a shock when G came home and said he was joining the cross-country team.

I am always grateful for my kids’ ability to surprise me with good things. While I suspect there were several factors that went into his decision (actually liking to run was not one of them), at the end of the day, I know he was mostly just happy to have a place to belong again.

I don’t feel like I’m thankful for the simple things right now. I spent a lot of the last 18 months being thankful for the simple things, like home, and family, and a toilet paper surplus. Right now, I’m thankful for the complicated things, like mRNA technology, our “re-busy-ified” schedule, training two dogs, and the challenges of navigating the complicated new world of a virtual workplace.

It’s been a crazy blur of a year or two, but as always, one final thing I am thankful for is that you have taken the time to share this journey with me. Over this past year, I have received many messages and heard many of your stories as well, as something I wrote hit home with you, or reminded you of something.

I am so incredibly grateful for those moments of community in what has sometimes seemed like a very lonely time. I wish you and your family a blessed and healthy holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving.

Liz Pinkey is a contributing writer to the Times News. Her column appears weekly in our Saturday feature section.