As another Thanksgiving day rolls around, I want to say that I am thankful every day. Sure there are times in our lives when we take things for granted but at my age, I am thankful to be growing wiser. I don’t take anything or anyone for granted anymore. I speak my mind, which hasn’t changed but I guess my point is I don’t entertain anything that doesn’t imply gratitude. I am at a point in my life where I honestly have everything I need on Thanksgiving Day and every day for that matter. And I’m grateful as I’ve never been before.
What has changed my heart and mind and led me to this point? It’s the gratitude! When you have seen yourself down and out or surrounded by negativity, it’s almost like a revelation. You know this isn’t where you want to be in life, better yet where you deserve to be. You become thankful for the hard balls life has thrown at you because you get up and become stronger. Life hasn’t always been this simplistic. I have settled into that bit of a funk when a relationship with a certain family member just wasn’t right. When I wouldn’t get invited to Thanksgiving dinner by this particular family member and I wasn’t able to share in all those memories that others made with their families. Then I thought….
I have had everything I’ve ever needed on Thanksgiving for many years now! What am I thinking?
I have everything I need now. I have my own little, but tight knit family. I have a loving and supportive husband, my two handsome boys who make every part of my life so very important and place everything into perspective. We have been making our own memories for years now together and for that, I am thankful. My children know that in our home we make Thanksgiving dinner together, we cuddle up beside one another, watch movies and are grateful for the space we are in. We then look forward to our after Thanksgiving ritual of traveling north to cut our Christmas tree.
Although many of my friends will be with their moms and siblings on Thanksgiving and I won’t, I still have A LOT to be thankful for. I guess at times it’s just bothersome when my oldest son asks, “Why aren’t we going to ________’s house for Thanksgiving?” The life lesson conversations come in, “Well, we weren’t invited!” He quickly responds, “Can’t we go anyway?”…. “Not if we aren’t invited!” It’s always a great discussion on what NOT to do in life and a beautiful reminder that we have just what we need right in our home. There’s no need to look for happiness or joy anywhere else. We’re already overflowing! The holiday season has never been the same without my dad. Not having him around makes my vision even more crystal clear so I know I have everything that I need this Thanksgiving and for the past thirteen years. It’s the gratitude that you have for all that you have lost, that has made you stronger and allowed you to realize what you have gained! Perhaps that’s the real thing to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your everything!