Some years ago I recall a time when I took thanksgiving for granted. Being employed and having a home to call my own and a family around that cared about me was ever present. So, I got a little complacent, took the day for granted, and moaned my way through some thanksgivings that were spent seeing some people I didn't really care to see and trying to please everyone except for myself. That's what you do though, and you try to do it without getting anyone angry at you. It was such a small thing to just give of one's self just a little more. I kept thinking my time would come when I would get more out of this particular holiday and tried to be grateful for "whatever".
Well having been through the last 4 or so Thanksgivings on a shoestring budget, having to rely on spending my day with others who did all the cooking and generally reminiscing about holidays where I was in want of nothing, I am truly grateful this year. I hate to admit it, but it is a fine thing to have something more than life itself to be grateful for. Who of us likes to look to others to provide the turkey and all the trimmings? Most of us are pretty self reliant and have our pride. We often fail to find the strength to admit to others that we need help or need to be with them due to a shortage of all the resources we once had to put the holiday together.
On this day, this year, I am truly thankful. I see brighter days ahead. I see my personal situation improving all of the time. I have wonderful new friends around me (thank you Lorraine, Joan, Shelly, Kelly, Dan). I see getting better acquainted with others that just entered my life. I have a place to call home and all the things around me in that space that I love and treasure. At my job I have people of like minds in my corner, truly appreciative and supportive of my initiative and creativity and positive thoughts that vastly outnumber negative ones.
When you get together with your family this year, it is my hope that you enjoy the same. I hope you at least have people that truly care about you in your life that invite you over and smile from ear to ear when they see you cross their thresh hold. I hope and pray that you and your loved ones are safe and really feeling the gratitude too. I hope that any worries that you have are small enough to be set aside as you assemble around your table of blessings and a huge turkey and green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. I pray that you are with people who can put their political beliefs aside for just one day and share commonalities.
Have a blessed day all. Take care of yourself and each other. Happy Thanksgiving Day!
