Commentary In the early years of the winding and pebbled road of my working life, a sign was hung in the staff room by one of my bosses, a grocer named “Friendly Fred.” I’ve never forgotten its wise but simple message: “Gratitude is the attitude.” It was 1976; I was 17 and happy to earn $2.15 an hour stocking shelves As we roll through to the end of this troubled and irksome year, it can be easy to forget that we have much for which to be grateful. Good food. Peace in the streets. Warm homes, including for many of the homeless, some of whom, according to news reports and personal conversations, prefer living outside to the confinements and rules of hostels or other provided accommodation. We can be grateful for friends and family. Most people in Africa and Asia can only dream of such security, such luxuries, and I …