Giving Thanks

I took some time today to reflect on some of my Thanksgiving blogs from the past and found the one from 2013, the Thanksgiving after my mom and Francine died.  So much of it is still true today. The people I am most grateful for are still a huge part of my life, but I have so many others in my life that I can now include. We still have my 101 year old grandma here with us and tonight, I will share Thanksgiving dinner, one of my favorite meals of the year, with her and many of my relatives, each of us cooking at home and bringing the food to her house to make it easy on her. Tonight there will be 16 of us around the table – a rather small gathering for us – but still a fun one!

I have been texting with friends all morning letting them know how grateful I am to have them in my life. We are sharing cooking tips and our similar thoughts on politics…knowing full well they will stay OUT of our conversations at dinner where so many of our family members have opposing opinions!

I am grateful to have DJ home from college, knowing that he is thriving on his own and creating his own friendships and relationships for which I know he is grateful for. I am grateful that Drew is finding his way as a freshman in high school. Never playing a game of football in his life, he found himself on the varsity football team at 5 feet tall and 95 pounds! That story is a blog in itself…for another time!

I am most grateful for Dave this year. He has been going through his own personal struggle with depression and with some health issues, and is finally on the road to recovery. He has found a new job and is so filled with life and energy. He is happy which makes for a much happier home. I couldn’t be more grateful to all of the people who have helped him get through this difficult time. He’s like a new person and for this, I am forever thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Find reasons to be grateful not just today, but always.

Feeling Grateful

Today was the annual Thanksgiving Feast for our Kindergarteners.  It is one of my favorite days of the school year.  All four Kindergarten classes came together in the cafeteria and had a “real” Thanksgiving dinner.  Parents made turkeys, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, muffins…all the fixings of feast!  Many parents came in and served the children buffet style.

As I watched the children walk through the cafeteria with their plates filled with food, I couldn’t help but notice the huge smiles on their faces.  Were they feeling grateful?  Were they feeling pride as they independently carried their own meal to their tables?  Was it excitement for getting to sit with new friends in the cafeteria?  I am not sure.  What I do know is that I was feeling grateful. Grateful to be a part of these children’s lives.  To know that for one school year, these children are in my care – for me to help mold and hopefully influence in a positive way.

A Great Reminder

I brought dinner to my dad’s tonight.  Lots of leftovers made for a yummy chicken pot pie.  A perfect night for comfort food as the snow began to fall while we were there.  The first snowfall of the season is always so pretty.  This one won’t amount to much.  It is already turning into rain and it is too dark to really take advantage it.  The Christmas lights glowing in the snow were really pretty on the ride home though.  Ours will go up eventually.

While I was at dad’s, I noticed that hanging on his refrigerator was a saying that he had posted.  It was from a church bulletin.  It referred to the summer, so it must have been there for awhile.  I don’t know why I haven’t noticed it before.  I am copying it below.  Another great reminder to be thankful for all of the blessings in our lives.  Monsignor Emory from our church shared it after someone shared it with him.  I am happy to pass it along:

I am thankful for my spouse who hogs the covers, because it means that I am not alone; the mess to clean up after a party because it means that I have been surrounded by family and friends; the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat; the repairs needed around the house because it means I have a home; my screaming children because it means I can hear; the pile of laundry because it means I have clothing to wear; my aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been able to work; the alarm that goes off early in the morning because it means that I have been blessed with a new day.