Thankful
It’s Thanksgiving here in the US. A day when many people see family they rarely get to, (or have to) spend time with. A day that seems devoted to overeating, over drinking, and over-indulgences of other kinds rather than being thankful. It’s a day when we see pictures like Rockwell’s Thanksgiving classic “Freedom From Want” or the dinner scene from Charlie Brown’s thanksgiving and we feel all nostalgic. Those of us, who grew up here, recall the stories of the Pilgrim’s and their celebration of a successful harvest. There is much more involved in this, of course there is. Isn’t there always? One of my favorite people here at GA, AC Benus, recently re-posted a great blog he wrote about this holiday. (https://gayauthors.org/blogs/entry/14069-the-first-thanksgiving-and-the-second-and-the-third…-with-a-recipe/
But, i digress. My little family, just the 5 of us, will celebrate quietly as we always do. Growing up, it was required that we kids be dressed up, and on our best behavior because 'what would everyone think' if we didn't. This was how all holidays with my family of origin were. It was stifling. That tradition carried over to when we were grown with children of our own. When we broke away, it was decided that holidays would be quiet, relaxed, no pressure, family days. Yes, i make a turkey, rolls, gravy, but not in any great amounts. We vote on it each year, “What do we want to do this year?” We’ll probably all be in sweats, track pants, and slippers. There will be laughter, dogs barking, and siblings teasing each other almost to tears. There will be parades, football, maybe a movie, and naps.
And there will be a moment, after i have all the food on the table (which is something that brings me great joy) where we will stand and look at each other and we will say, from the heart, things that we are grateful for. For many years, this has brought me to tears. It touches me deeply to hear the kids saying
meaningful things about their lives and about each other.
This year, i’m thankful for my Husband, and that He cares for me as He does. i’m grateful that my health has improved. i’m so very thankful for all of you i know well. I’m thankful for those of you i call family, and for those of you i’ve just met. As well, i’m very grateful for the acceptance that i have found, and that others have found here.
And so, I’m going to ask, what are you thankful for?
- 1
- 13
17 Comments
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now