Gratitude
I have always liked Thanksgiving. The holiday is a favorite of mine because my family can all get together without having to stress about church or presents. We just assemble at someone's house and spend time with our loved ones (and because my family is my family, there's a fair amount of drinking, a ton of food and usually a smidgen of drama to spice things up a bit).
It hasn't been a good year for all of my family. My uncle lost his job at Ford shortly before he was due to celebrate his 30th anniversary there and shortly after he and my aunt adopted a little girl. Then his wife had to have a knee replacement last week. My grandma's dementia is getting worse, as is typical of degenerative neurological conditions. My mom's job keeps getting whittled down and my dad's plant may strike and close. Even though he's not union, there's the very real possibility he may no longer have a job.
I count myself fortunate that I have a job and that no major ills have befallen me this year. But I'm not naive. I know that life has its fair share of ups and downs for everyone, and even while I know I've had a truly blessed existence, I don't expect it to always be easy.
But I look at my beautiful, flawed family, and I know that no matter what happens to us, as long as we are together, we will always have enough.
I could make lists of things I'm grateful for, both tangible and intangible, but the only thing that matters on that list are the people I love. You are all miraculous. I would do anything for you. You are my life.
Happy Thanksgiving.
It hasn't been a good year for all of my family. My uncle lost his job at Ford shortly before he was due to celebrate his 30th anniversary there and shortly after he and my aunt adopted a little girl. Then his wife had to have a knee replacement last week. My grandma's dementia is getting worse, as is typical of degenerative neurological conditions. My mom's job keeps getting whittled down and my dad's plant may strike and close. Even though he's not union, there's the very real possibility he may no longer have a job.
I count myself fortunate that I have a job and that no major ills have befallen me this year. But I'm not naive. I know that life has its fair share of ups and downs for everyone, and even while I know I've had a truly blessed existence, I don't expect it to always be easy.
But I look at my beautiful, flawed family, and I know that no matter what happens to us, as long as we are together, we will always have enough.
I could make lists of things I'm grateful for, both tangible and intangible, but the only thing that matters on that list are the people I love. You are all miraculous. I would do anything for you. You are my life.
Happy Thanksgiving.