"For Thee We Are Thankful..."

 

I do not need one thing these days...NOT one single solitary thing.  Scratch that...I do need one thing.  Here's what I need:

• I need to know that my husband and my family are  healthy.  I can understand the perils of aging.  I appreciate each year.  What is terribly hard is when I see someone not living their best life.  Perhaps, I am being judgemental.  Who is to say what someone's "Best life" really is? Gratitude has to be more than reaching another birthday.  Gratitude is living that year the way you were meant to live it.
  
  
• I need to know that I have not lost the respect of my colleagues.  I see how terribly  hard they are working. I need them to know that although I am working equally as hard, that nothing replaces being with them each and every day.  The isolation although protective and rightly justified is difficult. 
  
  
• I need the hugs and the commraderie of my friends..  I miss my theater community.  I miss the friends that I have had for over 40 years.  I miss the friends who can NOT be replaced.  They know who they are.
  
  
• I need to remind myself that as I listen to the news and hear of the terrible situation many are facing with respect to not having enough to eat, King and I will have more than enough and I count my blessings each and every day that we are together and have an abundance.  I am more than grateful actually and give to the local food banks.  No one should go hungry in this country.  NO ONE.
  
  
• I need to remind myself that I have MORE than enough shoes.  Ok, this is a tough one...but I do...Sigh...I also have more clothes than anyone has a right to have 
• but I will say this...I can NOT wait to replace my sweats!"
  
  
• I need to remember all of the memories I have of my youth.  The good and the bad and the ugly have built quite a different person these days.  I am grateful to be approaching 60.  I am grateful I can remember the warmth and the love I have experienced with my family.  The difficult events or memories are there as well, but not one of us is immune from difficulty.  I am grateful for that these days.
  
  
• I need to remember each and every kiss and hug that King and I have shared, particularly over the holidays. The first Thanksgiving I shared with King was joyous, lovely and warm.  As we celebrated with my family, we later laid in each other's arms in my sister's family room beyond content.  It felt right.  I was right.  So many are alone and we need to reach out to those who are alone and simply check on them.  We will all eventually find ourselves the recipient of "a helpful hand."  Be a helpful hand.
  
  
• I need to remember that during my lowest moments,  our lowest moments, there is more to experience.  There is more love to receive, and there is more gratitude to show.
  
  

I no longer have an ounce of predicition as to what my future holds and I have spent many hours, days, worrying about what my future would look like.  Now I can honestly forgive myself for wasting those hours, days.  I no longer chase happiness.  I take deep breaths and I see what I have been given.  Perhaps, as we celebrate our holidays, our Thanksgivings, apart physically, but not emotionally from our families, our friends,  we relish in the love we have been given.  I hope your bellies will be full this Thanksgiving as well as your hearts.