Thankful

I am thankful that I have a messy house with crumbs all over the stained carpet and toys strewn hither and yon, because it means that I have a home, when so many do not. I am fortunate.

I am thankful that my inlaws came to dinner and brought stuffing that could double as cement and we all shared a laugh over it, because it means we have family who could be together and my MIL is healthy enough to attempt to cook, when so many people do not have family that can be together, and some with Parkinsons aren't healthy enough to stand. We are fortunate.

I am thankful that my kids had peas and potatoes and broccoli and stuffing and turkey that they tried, but didn't like, when so many do not have one thing to eat. We are fortunate.

I am thankful that I have a son who whined half the day because we mean parents wouldn't let him play BDF's HalfLife game, when so many do not have enough money to pay the electric bill so that they can have light and heat. We are fortunate.

I am thankful that our country has so many dedicated men and women who are not home today, who are thousands of miles away, in a foreign land, mired in a war that they may or may not agree with, but who are proud to stand up and serve, anyway, and let the politicians sort it out, when so many come from countries where they can't even say one negative word against their tyrranical governments for fear of being imprisoned or raped or assaulted or killed. Thank you, to my cousin and all his colleagues in the armed forces. I don't agree with this war and the way it has been run, but I recognize the need for people like you all who stand up and fight for what's right. We in this country are fortunate that we have you.

I am thankful for modern medicine, health insurance, and enough money to cover what insurance doesn't, because without them I might be dead from an infection that is easy to treat; so many do not have the technology, or the insurance, or the money for treatment, and they suffer, and die. I am so very, very fortunate.

I am thankful for the whining, screaming, fighting, pooping, stubborn, messy kids that hang all over me precisely when I need a few moments to myself, when so many struggle to have children at all. I am so amazingly blessed.

Amazingly blessed. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and may we all be mindful always of all that we have.

Comments

[hokgardner]

Thank you for the reminders we all need from time to time.

Your post reminds me of the time that my husband was grumbling over the number of kid toys in our shower, and I asked him if he'd rather they weren't there at all. He got my point exactly.