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