In the wake of Thanksgiving, I am filled with gratitude. This year, my daughter CeCi (formerly known as Beanie in this blog) fixed Thanksgiving dinner. I only added a few traditional dishes; things I said I wanted to bring. CeCi carried on a newer tradition. Her daughter Miss K wrote something she was thankful about for each guest. A little way each guest gifted Miss K, without the guest’s name attached. The “gifts” got distributed randomly to everyone. Before the meal, each guest read a “gift.” Miss K had some wonderful thanks for the guests around the table. I wonder if she was thankful for my “flexibility,” or “my smile,” or “how smart I am,” or what. I’ll never know.
I know particular order, here’s the other things I’m thankful for this Monday:
- Bright sunshine: Oh I am a creature of light. Even the cold is beautiful on a sunshiny day.
- Chocolate Friday: An annual day-after Thanksgiving marathon of sweet making instead of braving the Black Friday crowds. This year we made over 45 poun
ds!
I love the turtles, and the butter-brickle. Or is the creamy peanut butter fudge that’s my favorite? Maybe the peanut butter balls. Wait, it’s the laughing I love the laughing the most.
- Public transportation: Love-Bug and I rode in style. We talked, observed people, and talked some more. A full and relaxing day.
- Chicago Theatre, “Annie,” and an early Christmas present from Love-Bug (formerly known as Duckie in this blog. She informed me that she now hates her early childhood nickname, Duckie.) What a beautiful performance. What a wonderful trip into Chicago.
- Music: Miss G gave me a personal Christmas piano concert and I got a chance to play my flute with my flute-playing grandson, Mr. D. He’s a competition winner. He applied the same tolerance to my amateur playing as he was to my untalented chess playing.
- Fresh water: Since I swore off soda, water is my go-to beverage. We are so lucky to have so much available at our fingertips. Enough that we can take it for granted.
- Clutch PencilDri-lighter: Doesn’t soak through, is erasable, and indispensable for summarizing the area news stories for my new freelance job. I splurged several years ago, when I had money t
My favorite fountain pens, my Dri-lighter, and my two daily inspirations. o spare. Even then, I knew it was a treat from that decadent writing tool store, Levenger store. Now I can only find the refills.
- Nyquil: Post-nasal drip from my hang-on cold keeps me up at night coughing. NyQuil really is the “so you can sleep” medicine. Now if I can only time it right so I can wake up, too.
- Dad: It’s been 13 years since I had Christmas with him. Today’s his birthday. Lot’s of misunderstandings and arguments along the way. I’m really thankful that we got past the parent-child stage and began to see each other as two adults with more in common than not. (Today’s his birthday.) I hope I never stop missing him.
Mom and Dad on their 25 Wedding Anniversary. Newlywed love that lasted a life-time.
Do you enjoy reading “Gratitude Monday?” Perhaps you’d like to see other lists. I am inspired by Laurel and her Gratitude link-up. Just click the link below and you’re on your way.