Today I’m thankful for:
1. Waking up with the Irishman instead of waking up alone on Thanksgiving.
2. A gorgeous morning. A detour through Valley Forge Park on the way home. Scenery that still takes my breath away even though I’ve seen it a million times. My own “secret corner” of the park.
3. Just a smidgen of quiet time before the kids get home to medidate, drink coffee and do a little writing.
4. Anyone who spends a fraction of a moment reading this blog on Thanksgiving. I love you even if I don’t know you.
5. An ex-husband who decided to have his Thanksgiving with the kids a day early this year, so I get to have them all day.
6. Knowing that my munchkins will be here soon. The house feeling warm, lively and full. Sitting in the living room and watching the Macy’s parade together while digging into one of the apple pies we made yesterday. Snuggling on the couch. Drinking in every second, knowing that next year they’ll be bigger. Knowing that for this year, at least, they can’t get enough of me.
7. Baking with the wee ones. Becoming more patient about it every year. Knowing that they’ll grow up with memories of baking with mom in the flour-covered kitchen.
8. Pie for breakfast!
9. Say it with me people: Pumpkin pie flavored coffee creamer….
10. The bittersweet feeling of missing my dad. Memories of him hunched over the kitchen counter doing carving duty before every holiday meal. The feeling of his larger-than-life presence in the house, taking up so much silent space. His voice cutting right through the rest of us chattering when he did speak. Him sitting in his chair later in the day, drinking wine and maybe singing a Marty Robbins song in his surprisingly lovely singing voice. I swear, sometimes not even Elvis could top my dad.
11. The bittersweet feeling of wishing I could introduce dad to the Irishman.
12. The bittersweet feeling of watching the family evolve. Sad and beautiful at the same time.
13. That the word “bittersweet” exists because, man, it does the job, doesn’t it?
14. That somehow I have managed to acquire the most interesting, loyal, funny, diverse group of people as my friends over this lifetime. I would make sweet love to all of you (if you’d quit being such prudes about it).
15. Having the courage to try on a dream even if they don’t always pan out.
16. Having faith that it’s alllll gonna be OK.
17. Having someone to laugh with.
18. Being able to laugh all by myself sometimes.
19. Seeing the humor in painful situations.
20. Answered prayers.
21. Getting more than I asked for sometimes. (Way to go, Universe!)
22. Not hating the ex, even though we make each other nuts sometimes. We’re still doing OK. Our kids still have both of us — often. Knowing that as far as divorces go, this could be a whole lot more tragic than it is.
23. Immense, immeasurable fulfillment from being involved in Food for Thought. Finding the right people to help me this year. Good things ahead!
Blessings to all! Happy Thanksgiving!
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