Life Preservers

Thankful in 2012

November 22, 2012 at 4:36 am Leave a comment

As Thanksgiving Day begins, I am reminded of grade school when we were asked to hang a picture on the wall and state for all to see what we were thankful for. That activity holds such simplicity:  the easy tasks of childhood as well as the true meaning of this holiday. Despite the attempts of retailers and advertisers to turn this day into one symbolic of gluttony and consumerism, in the hearts of most, this holiday remains, simply, a day to embrace family and friends, a day to relax, a day to be thankful.

Here is what I hang on the wall for 2012.

Although I did not like the number, I am thankful I had another Birthday.

I am thankful that I got to hang out with some wonderful people and refill the hug bank at a Schmidt Picnic in June.

I am thankful for my Aunt Ann who turned 90 this past week. And I am thankful for my new littlest cousin who arrived a couple of months ago.

I am thankful for my nephew Stephen, now a Marine, serving this great country.

I am thankful that I have a home, a car (with four new tires and a new alternator), and a job.

I remain thankful, every morning, for coffee. And I am thankful to have discovered the coffee cream frother!

I am thankful for cookies. And, likewise, thankful that I managed to get my old fat butt up and moving once again to do what all the experts say you can’t do:  Lose weight in your 40s. (Yes, you can.)

I am thankful that, for the first time since sometime in the 80s when I became eligible to get a credit card, I have no credit card debt.

I am thankful for books. And audio books.

I am thankful for some home renovations. And I am thankful that my construction friend did not laugh too hard when he discovered that my baseboard in the kitchen has been sitting there unpainted and unattached since his last visit to put in the kitchen floor about 7 years ago.

I am thankful that my neighbor, Flo, fooled the doctors yet again and made it home in time to hand out Halloween candy with me.

I am thankful for facebook and the connections it has strengthened and the reconnections it has made possible.

I am thankful for my friends who keep me busy, keep me centered, keep me laughing. Thank you for game nights. Thank you for liking the same sushi place I like. Thank you for taking me bowling. Thank you for your philosophical, brilliant, hilarious correspondence. Thank you for dinners and drinks.Thank you for commiserating. Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for my sanity.

I am thankful every single day of my life for my wonderful, weird, dear, and loving family who have made this year so much fuller and so much funnier. I am thankful for Mother-Daughter weekend. I am thankful for Wicked Weekend. I am thankful you had my house key. I am thankful for gorgeous room design support (and that you are feeling better). I am thankful for Overnight Fun Nights and kind of amazed that you still like to hang out with me. I am thankful for recipe tips, home tips, life tips, and that you are there when I call. I am blessed to be a part of this crew. I love you.

And, last but not least, I am exceptionally, happily, guiltily, giggly thankful that my sister-in-law and brother are doing all the work and all the cooking as our dinner hosts this year while I had time to sleep in and post to my blog while sipping coffee.

Entry filed under: Life Preservers.