It’s Thanksgiving Season (#4)

Well now, I told you the Thanksgiving season would fly by didn’t I?  Those 23 days came, went, and BAM! here we are – Thanksgiving Day itself.  Good thing you kept a Gratitude Calendar like I asked you to.  You did keep one, didn’t you – the list of things you’re grateful for this season?  No, you can’t have my list (who are you, that kid who copied off of others in grade school?) but I will let you read it:

  1. WordPress, which allowed me to schedule this post ahead of time so I can spend Thanksgiving Day focused on much more important things.
  2. Thanksgiving cards, purchased for family and friends before the torrent of Christmas cards pushed them off the shelves.
  3. Our son, visiting this weekend all the way from Colorado.
  4. Witnessing my beloved alma mater face Clemson on the football field (even if Notre Dame “didn’t show up”).
  5. Today’s extra hour of sleep, even if I couldn’t manage to sleep for an extra hour.
  6. Babysitting my granddaughter, even if she produced what I’d politely call a “blowout”.
  7. Making it to the car dealership safely on a suspect front left wheel.
  8. Repair of that wheel by mechanics who know a lot more about fixing cars than I do.
  9. A perfectly still morning with the dog and a cup of coffee before easing into the day’s activities.
  10. My mother, who was born on this day 95 years ago.
  11. My body, which allows me to continue the regular, rigorous workouts I enjoy.
  12. My wife, my endless source of love and laughter.
  13. The quiet, peaceful, safe community I live in (and utterly take for granted).
  14. A long-awaited rain shower, and hopefully the first of many.
  15. The many entertaining blog posts from my “online family”: those I faithfully follow and who faithfully follow me.
  16. The family and friends who keep us tied to our former years in Colorado.
  17. A perfect fall day in Colorado, allowing me to accomplish the many things I had on my agenda.
  18. The reunion of my wife’s family with her mother (a gathering that hasn’t taken place in over ten years).
  19. A visit with my Colorado granddaughters, and the opportunity to walk my eldest to kindergarten the following morning.
  20. A visit with my best buddy and his wife, and the realization our relationship will stay strong no matter the time or distance.
  21. The countless workers in the airline industry who make travelling safe, including the singing traffic cop at the airport crosswalk.
  22. The simple comforts of being back at home 
  23. My brothers and their families, who I will truly miss this year as they gather together in Williamsburg, VA.

And… that’s enough for today.  You should be focused on family and friends anyway, not blog posts.  Wait – one more thing – a throwback term to mix in with your Thanksgiving spread: requital (with the middle part of the word pronounced like “quite”).  A requital is a return or a reward for an act of kindness.  Here’s how Beethoven used it back when he was still making music: As a slight requital of your kind souvenir, I take the liberty to send you some variations, and a Rondo with violin accompaniment.  Fancy, huh?  Now, go impress your guests around the table by using your new word.

Oh, and if you didn’t keep a calendar of things to be thankful for? Seriously, what are you waiting for?  C’mon, get grateful already!

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Author: Dave

Five hundred posts would suggest I have something to say… This blog was born from a desire to elevate the English language, highlighting eloquent words from days gone by. The stories I share are snippets of life itself, and each comes with a bonus: a dusted-off word I hope you’ll go on to use more often. Read “Deutschland-ish Improvements” to learn about my backyard European wish list. Try “Slush Fun” for the throwback years of the 7-Eleven convenience store. Or drink in "Iced Coffee" to discover the plight of the rural French cafe. On the lighter side, read "Late Night Racquet Sports" for my adventures with our latest moth invasion. As Walt Whitman said, “That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” Here then, my verse. Welcome to Life In A Word.

14 thoughts on “It’s Thanksgiving Season (#4)”

  2. Your list is detailed in just the right way that allows me to know you better. I like all your gratefulnesses [a word?] and hope your holiday celebration was the best. Happy Black Friday! 🖤

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  4. This list of items you are grateful for is sure heartfelt Dave. So many items revolve around family members, even your dog – I don’t recall you ever mentioning a dog. Get-togethers with family are high on your list of priorities as well they should be … friends as well, both longstanding friendships and blogging friendships and a loving tribute to your wife. As a person who has no living family members and has friends scattered hither and yon, I do envy you. I am grateful for my good health, like your #11. I never take it for granted. My friend Ann Marie gave me a “Blessings Jar” a while back. She made this simple gift. It is a mason jar with a lid and a ribbon tied around the jar. Inside is a small pencil and small pad of “stickies” to write what I consider blessings in my life. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your son.

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    1. Imagine the better society we’d live in if more people valued good health, Linda. I already knew you did with your untold miles of walks. A workout every day? A perfect diet? Too extreme. Instead, I subscribe to “keep moving” and “everything in moderation”.

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      1. Yes, “keep moving” is right Dave. I hate that I sit as many hours as I do for work and again at night parked in front of my computer. I try to make up for that in the mornings and weekends. If you deny yourself treats and tasty food, you will end up overeating or eating the wrong foods.

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  5. That is a wonderful list! Sounds like lots of extra time spent with family lately, something that is always taken for granted. I think your granddaughter felt extra comfortable around you 😉 I’ve never heard of thanksgiving cards but I am sure you are not surprised I already have my Christmas cards printed, Christmas stamps, and some customized Christmas address labels.

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    1. Admittedly we’re ready to go with our Christmas cards as well (thank you, Shutterfly). Once you have the photos they make the production awfully convenient!

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  6. As a matter of fact, I do keep a gratitude list–short snippets like yours, kept in a journal. Since March of 2017 I’ve written something for every day, for a total of more than 2,000 entries so far. The best part, I think, is reviewing the day to decide what to write, and realizing how blessed I am, even on the challenging days. Gratitude fosters joy!

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  7. Yay, comments are still open!! Happy belated Thanksgiving to you. I have not kept a formal list, but was thankful when we got the whole family together on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. And thankful for the delicious food!

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    1. Getting the whole family together is absolutely something to be thankful for. It used to be the norm for us, but now it’s a logistical challenge with our sons and their families living in different cities than us. Also, this comment made me think, suddenly, the Thanksgiving season seems like ages ago!

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