What I'm thankful for...
I’m back! I hope you enjoyed a very happy Thanksgiving with those you love.
Did you miss me last week? I chose to skip my usual Monday publication, assuming you’d be too busy with other more pressing things to prepare for the big holiday than to read a pithy Jaunt. I didn’t want you to miss something good, so I took the week off. But I hope you missed me. At least a little bit.
This year, I spent the holiday with my husband’s spirited family; and looking back on this special night, I couldn’t help but ruminate about all the things for which I’m thankful.
I’m grateful for this time of the year, when the leaves become colorful and fall from the trees, when temperatures start to plummet, but our spirits soar with the start of the festive holiday season. Well, at least my spirits soar because I’m grateful for winter.
I’m grateful that my adult kids return home, and my house is once again full of all my favorite people in the whole wide world. I’m even grateful when I pass by a room where they are sitting together, relaying funny stories about their mom, me, and laughing with glee at my expense. There is no greater music to my ears, and if the subject of their ridicule must be me, then so be it.
I’m grateful for our collective good health so that we can gather with extended family around the table once again. Celebrating via Zoom just wasn’t the same thing. I’m grateful that the chaos in the world can serve to remind us of what’s still most important in life.
I’m grateful that our whole family is local so that we don’t have to travel during this busiest time of the year. I’m blessed to have been able to watch my own kids grow up alongside their cousins, all of them blossoming into amazing and admirable young adults who enjoy each other’s company.
I’m grateful to be part of this big and boisterous family, a lively and loud bunch, often speaking over one another to win the most attention. They’re entertaining; they’re crazy; they’re dramatic; they’re overbearing. They’re also accepting, tolerant, inclusive, and loving. Sometimes, things heat up (and I’m not just talking turkey); we argue, we disagree, we insult, but we always forgive. I’m grateful they’re mine.
I’m grateful for my loony and lovable sisters-in-law, one of whom graciously hosted the Thanksgiving festivities, the other who made my favorite deviled eggs. I’m grateful there were leftovers so that I could continue to enjoy them the next day!
I’m grateful that I’m able to partake in a feast that was as tasty and it was bountiful. That after baked brie, deviled eggs, charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, meatballs, the obligatory turkey, stuffing, both sweet and mashed potatoes, corn souffle, mac and cheese, cranberries, and roasted maple brussel sprouts, we still had room for the impressive variety of homemade cookies, bars, pies and cake.
I’m grateful to be part of a family who share my values and hobbies. We discussed everything from books and TV shows to travel, food and other people. We vowed to forbid our husbands from relocating in Kentucky, they hoping to trade in our cars for ATVs and ride-on lawn mowers; we shared our plans to rent condos in some of the world’s most iconic cities and take a year-long cruise before we get too old to enjoy it; the older generation reminisced about family members no longer with us and Jewish gangsters of yesteryear and today; we listened and offered advice to the younger generation about marriage and kids (or not); we gossiped about celebrities and fashion. I’m grateful for the noise.
I’m grateful to have a family, bound together by a common name and shared history, who choose to come together out of affection and adoration rather than one who meets at the table out of obligation and feelings of guilt.
I’m grateful that this year I’m writing about the things for which I’m thankful and that I have a community of readers with whom to share my musings. My greatest wish is that you also have a list of things for which you feel grateful, that you’re blessed with fantastic company, lots of noise, unconditional love, acceptance, great food, and warm memories.
Ha!! Yeah I’m telling Rick to start saving up now! I can do St. Lucia for a week, but I want to see the world!
Looked lovely. Hope you get to do some of those travel ideas. I think one year on a cruise is around 35-50k. Warm up in St. Lucia, it is cheaper.