Jane

I’m not writing about weight loss this week because, even though our upcoming holiday happens to be the one day of the year devoted almost entirely to food, I want to take just a minute to ponder the “thanks” part of “thanksgiving.”  What I realized recently is, although I’m thankful for world peace and all, when it comes right down to it, I’m most grateful for those everyday things that shape my life–even mundane things, such as the fact that I’ve been able to stay on this weight loss program!

As to the big, important things that I’m most thankful for right now, I would put at the top of my list the fact that those of my friends who are suffering with terrible illness are feeling strong and positive and able to cope with things like chemotherapy and one more visit to the doctor’s office.

I’m also thankful that my husband and I are still slogging it out after 26 years and both willing to try to create something together that, while imperfect, is good and true.  (On a more mundane level,  I’m thankful that he is finally getting paid for the project he’s been working on for the past six months, so that money will, at least temporarily, stop being the focus of our lives – and we might even be able to afford Christmas!)

I’m thankful that my oldest daughter, who has had a hell of a two years, is, day by day, remembering her strong backbone, while not hardening her heart.  I’m thankful that my teenage son, who called me recently at 2 a.m. from the emergency room near his college, was not calling to tell me that the pericarditis which wrecked the end of his freshman year had come back – but only that he had a broken nose from a fist fight where he was – bless his little heart – defending a friend!  I’m thankful that my high school daughter – despite all pressures to the contrary – still talks to us like a fellow human being and still has her feet on the ground and her sense of humor.  I’m thankful that my youngest daughter didn’t break her knee-bone in volleyball but only the cartilage.  I’m thankful that I have a  wonderful therapist who will listen to me and guide me.  I’m thankful that I have 3 sisters, all totally different in personality, each of whom has a heart that extends love to me.

I’m thankful that the shoes our new puppy dog ate were ones that no one cared about.   The picture below is of Tater when he first came to our house.

I’m thankful that there have been the following people in my world over the past years:  great babysitters, good plumbers, tailors who were willing even to sew on buttons (no matter how ridiculous they thought that was), doctors who cared, carpenters, and teachers who put up with tardy children, over and over again.  I’m thankful, most of all, for the people in my life that love me – and that I love back – and not just the obvious people, such as my husband, Tom,  and our kids–and all my family–but also my wonderful friends, both ones nearby and the ones I never get to see but love to think about and have imaginary conversations with in my mind (featuring lots of laughter).

So, here’s to giving thanks on this Thanksgiving for the ordinary, wonderful things in front of our eyes.  Life is good!

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1. What I am Thankful for this Thanksgiving
2. Another Thanksgiving List from One of Our Readers!
3. My Thanksgiving List
4. SadhviSez: Feeling Overwhelmed with it All!
5. Feeling Invisible? Wanna Tell Oprah?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 12:23 pm and is filed under Main. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.