And still another day rolls around and Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow. Wow, where did the year go? Each year for the past six years I have celebrated Thanksgiving in different ways, in different places, and with different family members. No matter where I am, or whom I am with my heart is always with the ones I love…and for me, they are enough to be thankful for every day throughout the year.
I have my favorite memories, of course, and those are the holidays spent with family, friends, good food, lots of laughter, and game time in the traditional manner we had developed. When I owned my home in Shoreline, it was small, but we fit in just fine…usually on the high side of twenty people as the count would go. The men would retreat to the basement family room to cheer on their favorite team, while the women would gather around the kitchen and living room to share stories, laugh, and enjoy a glass of wine…or two. I had one bedroom set up with my PlayStation for the older children, and one for the younger children to occupy themselves with toys. No matter what part of the house you were in, a good time was enjoyed.
Over the years the manner in which I celebrate this all-important holiday has changed. The reasons are there, but I’d have to say one of the biggest changes happened after my sister, Cathy, passed away. Perhaps she was the glue that kept so many of us together, though I fear it was events afterward that changed the dynamics of our celebrations. Sometimes change is good…sometimes it just is.
This year Dan and I will be with my daughter, her equal half, Jason, and some of Jason’s relatives. I know there will still be Thanksgivings that bring our family down from Canada, and my siblings with their families together to celebrate, but for the years a different celebration is enjoyed I’ll continue to be thankful. Not just for the memories, but for the chance to celebrate at all. I have many family members that love me and that I love beyond words. So, no matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, I truly hope you spend it with someone you can call a friend…someone you love…someone who loves you.
May your blessings be many, your troubles be few, your smiles be plentiful, and your tummy be full. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
This blog started out as a post of this sweet bluebird I photographed in the mountains of Colorado a few years ago. But my crazy brain continued to swirl with too many words for a post.
The bluebird is a symbol of happiness…something we all desire. In may cultures, dating back thousands of years, the bluebird is thought as the harbinger of happiness. I love what they represent…and they are my favorite color, which is a bonus.
Over the past two years I have done a post on what I am thankful for every day during the month of November. I won’t do that this year. Not because I’m not thankful, but because I am thankful for everything, every day, and nothing can change that truth.
We all have trials…which may be an illness, depression, anxiety, or simply a tough decision to make. There are a number of reasons we may not want to get out of bed. It might be because we know we are out of milk and bread, but only have enough money for one item until our funds replenish in a week. It might be we have been told we have cancer…and have to decide whether to do treatment or not. Or as the holidays creep up they bring an enormous weight on our shoulder we simply can’t bear to carry that day.
Life is filled with an extraordinary amount of struggles we all face at one time or another. Times when we feel like they are piling up against the door, blocking our exit. But, the truth of the matter is, outside of those stumbling blocks, life can be pretty darn wonderful.
I have a wonderful family, a warm home, food to fill my belly, and leftover candy from Halloween…no, I’m not being glib…I love candy, and though I was willing to lose it all to the cute little ones, no one came, so I’ll not waste it. My daughter, Kristin, offered to take the large bowl of candy off my hands and bring it to work. Yes, this would have been my better decision, but I’ve gotten to a stage in life that a little piece of candy now and then is a good thing.
Focus…Cecily…focus….back to the point you’re trying to make…
What I’m trying to say it no matter what is going on with your life right now, I hope you can dig deep and find the strength you need to push through the cloud and find what might only be one silver lining…but a silver lining regardless.
I’m blessed with the desire to write, which has provided my soul with an outlet for healing. No matter how small or how huge my issue may be at any given time, today I’d like to say I’m happy…happy with my family, my decisions, my health, my life. And I hope no matter who you are you find happiness……we all deserve happiness…go and find yours.