The Act of Being Thankful

I realized something Wednesday as I walked back to my van after walking Riley into school. This is the first year that I actually don't feel overwhelmed and don't dread the holiday. In fact, I actually told someone "Happy Thanksgiving" yesterday - and I don't remember saying that at ALL the past three years. Or, maybe even before then. I know what the difference is - I'm not working outside of the home this year. I don't feel overwhelmed and exhausted, struggling to fit everything in and not able to get any of it done. Working at home, on this wonderful little machine, has enabled me to make more money than I was making working my behind off in a cafeteria, and as a added benefit, I'm able to exercise.

I'm thankful that I feel much more at peace.

I'm thankful that I have a great husband who works as hard as he possibly can. He's taken a tremendous pay cut over the past two years and keeps on keepin' on, working his tail off to keep us fed and clothed. He stays up late when he gets home to fix things that need repair, paint spots, hang pictures, or whatever we need. He's usually chipper and happy and always tries hard to keep me feeling positive. He's complimentary and always makes me feel like a rock star.

I'm thankful for my husband.

I'm thankful for my kids. They are crazy, they are kooky, and they can't remember to replace the toilet paper rolls to save their lives. They fight over the computer, they fight over the bathroom, and ignore their chores like rock stars. They are also kind to older people, serve at church, willingly (some of them) attend adoration, are polite to teachers, have places on the honor roll or high honors, and eat fruits and vegetables. They are smart and make me laugh like crazy on a daily basis.

I'm thankful for my kids.

I'm thankful for my parents -my mom, who does so much amazing fun stuff with my kids and takes them everywhere, allowing them to experience activities and shows that they other wise wouldn't, and is always, always, good to them (and me!) and patient with them. My dad, who lives far away and yet is always there to listen to me, to help me figure stuff out, to help in whatever way he can and sometimes, still, set me straight. I love both of my parents.

I'm thankful for my Mom and Dad.

I'm thankful that I have a great van that runs well and gets us to where we need to be on time. (Well, somewhat on time, but that's not the fault of the van. Operator error.) It's not fancy, it's not elaborate, but it's operational and it has some things in it that I really like. Vinyl floor and satellite radio - I'm talking to you.

I'm thankful for my vehicle.

I'm thankful for my gym and training partners. I took my test for Purple tip and managed to get clocked HARD right across the ribs, but I made it through and part of the reason I was able to do so was because of the support that I get from my training partners. They help me learn to right or left kick correctly, hold pads for me and correct my form over and over. My instructors make me crazy, but I couldn't have gotten as far as I have without their help. They make me sweat and groan and swear.

I'm thankful for my gym, training partners and instructors.

I'm thankful for my readers. You guys support me, uplift me, and educate me. You help me figure out things I'm pondering, give me feedback on issues, and send me little gifts. (In fact, I'm watching the dvd of I Love Lucy episodes that one reader made for me.) You are there for me when I need backup, listen to me vent and compliment me like nobody's business.

I'm thankful for my readers. 

I'm thankful for doctors and all the people who keep my kids and myself healthy. I'm thankful for teachers, who I am convinced are not paid enough. I'm thankful for firefighters and ambulance drivers, grocery store workers and restaurant workers. I'm thankful for companies that supply me with items for review and giveaway, companies that allow me to write for them, and the incredible honor it is for me to be able to contribute to my family while remaining at home. I'm thankful for Blogging conferences, especially as they allow me to meet up with some of my very best friends and compadres.

Have a wonderful Turkey Day, everyone!

Comments

[mm]

Well I am glad for your happiness and "lack of dread" for the holidays. I have noticed that everywhere. I have not heard Christmas carols on my local radio station except for commercials and the like. I wonder to myself, what is happening? Are we caught up in the H1N1 pandemonium and don't have time to realize just how freaking fast Christmas is actually coming? I have taken a look at my December calendar and it is just packed full of school concerts and Scout events and Guide events etc etc etc. (Heart skips a beat just a little).

I say it every year, and don't laugh, on a Christmas episode of "Little House on the Prairie" Mrs Ingalls is happy when she receives a gift of sweet potatoes. And I wonder every time why we all can't be more like that....

[Debby Pucci]

You too! I love the things you are thankful for. You are blessed.

[KG]

Wow.
This is why I read you daily....
your readers help give you perspective but it's a two way street.
I was stuck in the new-baby-breastfeeding-round-the-clock-cant-get-out-feel-like-a-fat-baby-puke-covered-slob-kids-just-tear-the-house-apart rut.
And your post about your kids not changing toilet paper had me in tears of laughter which quickly turned to tears of guilt. I'm so exhausted I was FORGETTING that those non toilet paper replacing kids under my roof are the MOST AMAZING kids on the planet. One got an award at school because he has brought in the most canned goods the past 7 years. And every year on his OWN he reminds us we have to go out & LOAD UP on food for the poor.
And my girls are SO kind & caring & thoughtful. I'll change another 23672635534 empty rolls of toilet paper if I must if it means my kids are stellar examples of character in everything else they do.
So, off I go to make 27365723 more hand turkeys, covering the floor with a foot high pile of scraps, with a very, very thankful smile on my face.
Thanks Carmen-
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

[Mama Cas]

Nicely done.

[Stimey]

This is lovely! Happy Thanksgiving!

[Headless Mom]

Lovely! I'm thankful for you, too. (If I can be so bold as to consider myself in your blogging friends circle!)

[kyooty]

Happy ThanksGiving. Thank you for writing

[Ouida Gabriel]

I'm thankful that you have great parents who lend a hand. I think holidays affect me in two different ways - one, I love Thanksgiving and Christmas and the ability to make it wonderful for my children. The second though, I realize that for my husband and I, we have to do without because of our family situations. I would love to have my in laws give a care about our children. I think sometimes the older generation lets us down to often. My husband says that our children are better off without them though. In a lot of ways I know he is right.

[Mary]

Going into Advent, we celebrate the “anticipation” of the coming of Christ, past present and future. Our parish priest began with a story of a bus driver who was given an award for 23 years of driving the school bus with no accidents. When the bus driver was asked what advice he could give on being such a good driver, he replied, “Watch the road.” He talked about worries such as refinancing a house, someone who has lost a job and is seeking employment, young couples worrying their wedding day, an expectant mother with concerns over her pregnancy, infertile couples distracted in their situation. Our parish priest used the bus driver illustration to emphasize that although there may be many distractions in our lives, even to the point of “priests making mistakes,” we need to keep our eyes focused on Christ and “Watch the road.”

[Young Wife]

What a great post! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm so thankful this year that my husband got the medication he needs for his arthritis. We pray that it starts working.

[UKCraftySal]

I loved your post, and am glad you made time to really think about the things, big and small, that you are thankful for. In England, we don't have Thanksgiving, and it was a good reminder to me to stop focussing on the negatives in my life (some days there seem to be so many!) and instead to count my blessings.

I am thankful for you, Carmen,for sharing your life with us, and giving me new perspective.