Yes, I know that Thanksgiving was a few days ago. But I feel like we should be grateful all year long, and not just on one November day before we head out shopping for more stuff. I've always thought that the timing of Thanksgiving was odd. It comes
about a month before Christmas, where the focus is on material things
and getting exactly what you want. How can the frenzy of Black Friday
come after a day meant to give thanks for how much we already have? I
don't understand it. It makes my heart hurt, it truly does. We all have
so much to be grateful for. Please let's act like it .One of my goals for the next year is to really be conscious of the
amazing opportunities I've been given and not take anything- or anyone-
in my life for granted. To start off, here are some things I'm grateful
for right now.
My family, both immediate and extended. First of all, I am blessed to have parents and grandparents who are still married to their original spouse. I've seen my friends dragged between homes and torn between spending certain holidays with Mom or Dad, and it breaks my heart a little. I have two pretty fantastic sisters who I love dearly. I also have a fabulous group of cousins with whom I can reminisce about the silly games we played as kids, and who are all growing up into creative, responsible, successful adults. And finally, last weekend while we were down in Nebraska to have a memorial for and bury my grandpa, I experienced a whole other set of family: my mom's cousins, aunts, and uncles. Even though we rarely see each other, many of them knew who I was, despite my not always being able to return the favor. Most of them knew about my time in Prague, and asked me what my plans were now. While it was sometimes overwhelming, spending that time with them was wonderful.
My friends. Even though it's a cliche, the saying 'Friends are the family we choose for ourselves' is 100% true. I have a great family, but I would be lost without my friends. I'm not the best at staying in touch with people when we're far apart (and even sometimes when we're in the same city), but just knowing they're there if I need them is enough. I have friends from childhood, middle school, high school, college, Scotland, and Prague, and I share a significant/memorable portion of my life with each of them. I truly have some of the greatest friends in the world.
My job. No, I don't have a teaching job in some exotic location yet. But I do have a job at Barnes & Noble, and although it's much less exciting than Prague, or China, or wherever I might end up, it does give me a reason to change out of my pajamas and get out of the house. I've only been there a couple weeks, but I'm confident I'll be happy there for the next month to six weeks before I (hopefully) have somewhere else to go. The extra money doesn't hurt either.
Those are the big things. I am also grateful to have a myriad of smaller, but no less important blessings. Like a shower head I don't need to hold myself. My own bed, complete with teddy bear. Books. To live a block away from one of the greatest rivers in the world, along what I think is one of the most beautiful stretches of that river. That I'll get a white Christmas (fingers crossed). That I have a dryer. That I have the freedom to decide where I want to go next. For a warm coat, and shoes that keep my feet dry. For having had the opportunities that I've had to travel, meet new people, and learn new things. For family and friends who don't think I'm crazy for wanting to explore the world.
It would be impossible for me to list out everything I've been blessed with, but even trying is refreshing and eye-opening. This holiday season, and always, let's try to uphold an attitude of gratefulness and not get too caught up in the maelstrom of video games, TVs, toys, movies, clothing, etc the world is throwing at us. Disclaimer: I enjoy giving and receiving gifts as much as the next person, but it's important to keep everything in perspective. That's my two cents worth.
