We're skipping the letter for today and moving right to the insane week that I am in.
Friday I went to my aunt's funeral. Well, she didn't want a funeral - but a small, simple, prayer service. But, it really makes you think. Everything we have can disappear in a moment. Without warning. No plan. No list. No oopsie, but I forgot to do... It's just gone - Poof! So, I decided that life is too short NOT to live in the moment. NOT to live it up 100% of the time. I have things I want to do, places I want to see, people I WANT to spend time with and I'm going to. I'm thankful that my Aunt left me with such wonderful memories and blessed me with such a great change of heart and mindset.
Saturday was spent shopping like mad for the Thanksgiving Feast that I am having here at my house. Now, let me tell ya - it doesn't matter if you're having 4 people or 20 (I'm only having 8) - it's expensive and it's a LOT of work. But, it's not going to be perfect. I'm okay with that. Really, I really am. While shopping I did 2 things. First I met this amazing woman who was 83 and shopping on her own at the store. She told me all about how she has been making flan for her family since she was a young girl and she told me step by step how to make it (I have no idea - but I would have loved to follow her home and watched her!). She was the sweetest woman and she told me how she prepares her sweet potatoes ( I was looking for some ideas). I told her to make her daughters and grand-daughters watch her make the flan so they can carry on the tradition. Very sadly she told me that they have no interest and want to have their own traditions. This made me very sad. I am thankful that my shopping trip was blessed by this woman and I am thankful that I was able to help her find pumpkin so she was able to go home (as she put it). Then while in line, I noticed the woman behind me was alone and had a newborn with her. He was obviously fussy as she was holding him and trying to unload her cart. So, as the checker was ringing up my groceries, I unloaded her cart for her. She was so appreciative by my small gesture that I felt I wanted to share this with others. Perhaps we could all take a moment in our hectic days and just do something to make someone else's day just a little bit nicer. I am thankful for the amazing blessings I received from small encounters with strangers at the grocery store.
Sunday was a mad hectic chaotic combination of things. I discovered that my son's book report / research (which in 3rd grade should really be defined as a "family" project) was due on Tuesday and was not completed. So, he and I spent a couple of hours on that. My husband (a.k.a. Clark Griswold) wants to have the house decorated for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving so I ran here and there helping him with those things. My son (the 19 year old) came by to tell me all about his trials and tribulations and raked the leaves (he owes us money) and then tried to skate out of Thanksgiving dinner (which he AND his friend asked to come to) and I had a wee mommy meltdown. He and his friend ARE coming for dinner now as he saw the errors in his ways. (gotta love those mommy and me moments). Teenage daughter announced that she had to go and get her coach her birthday gift (right now) so I got to drop everything to run to the local spa for a gift card. But now, as I sit here looking at the chaos that surrounds me, sipping my glass of wine, I am thankful. I am thankful that my son and I got to do an awesome report and learn about a really cool Pilgrim. I am thankful that my 19 year old still comes by to terrorize me because he loves me. I am thankful that my teen daughter has such an awesome heart and with every day she amazes me at what a terrific person and leader she is. I am thankful that I have a house to decorate (and clean) and food to eat.
Life is Good!
What are YOU thankful for today?
9 comments:
So many things to me thankful for. Thankful for family, friends, a warm house and food to eat. And that's just for starters.
Hi Suzann! What a wonderful post!! It really is those little acts of kindness that make such a big difference and make the world a better place!! We should all follow your lead!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and good luck with your big meal :)
:) T
You are an absolute sweetheart! And I agree with your first thought on how everything could be taken from us NOW, so we should enjoy and be thankful for what we have.
I am thankful that I wasn't killed yesterday when that tree limb hit me (just grazed my shoulder Ouch!). I'm thankful that my kids are alive and healthy and not in jail. I'm thankful for my job and home and heat and food. And mostly for my God! And I'm thankful for uplifting bloggers like you!
The first Thanksgiving I ever hosted, I wanted to be perfect in a Martha Stewart kind of way.
Clearly, that did not happen.
Now, my goal is to make Thanksgiving at my home one that everyone will enjoy, with yummy food (everyone brings their signature dish) and card games and laughter. We're having 18 people over, and I'll be reading the prayer from your blog post last year...we all had tears in our eyes after I read it aloud before dinner, and it is a new tradition now. (A Big thank you to you!)
Thanks for sharing your grocery store stories. Don't you think God put those two women in your path that day for a reason? And you totally saw the blessing for what it was...I love that!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving week, Suzann. I am blessed to call you friend.
I am so thankful to read this wonderful post. You brightened up two ladies lives in one day, young and old. I really hope your example encourages others to do the same in this busy time of year.
You seem to have it all under control, and your heart in the right place. Beautiful!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I love this revelation you have had, yes, everything could be gone in a 'puff'. I think we can all learn something from this post so thanks for sharing, thanks also for dropping by Beach Vintage.
How sad that the ladies daughters dont have any interest to carry on the flan tradition. I bet when she passes away they will regret their decision on that.
You were very kind to help both those ladies out. Love your blog..I scrolled down on Dawns comments and your name of your blog intriged me..so here I am...have a Happy Thanksgiving. Sally
So sorry to hear about your Aunt. Life is so short and we are never promised tomorrow! I am thankful that I am here to celebrate this thanksgiving as I almost died this summer from a rattlesnake bite! It does help put things in the right perspective!
Most of all I am so thankful for a loving caring God!
A very happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
blessings
mary
Soo much to be thankful for...Happy Turkey day to you sweetie! muwahhh, Tara
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