giving thanks and why i read tyler knott in the morning.

*photo by Sally Van Natta

My Internet at home is still down so I probably won't be able to post anything on Thanksgiving Day.*  And since I'm not planning on going into the office tomorrow, I thought I'd take the time to write my Thanksgiving entry today.  {smile} 

Anyhow, I LOVE Thanksgiving.  It's my favorite holiday.  I love what it represents and the reminder to just give thanks.  Sometimes, in the busyness of everyday life, it's easy to forget what the whole point of all this is about.  Y'know, life?  What does it mean to you?  What makes you happy?  What fills your heart with joy?  What brings a smile to your face?

Every year for Thanksgiving, my family and I gather around a circle, and each of us reflects on the past year, and we share what it is that we're grateful for.

This year has been very rough for my family ... with illnesses, deaths and ... well, I think those two are enough sorrow to last for awhile.  Yet, despite all the loss and sadness this year, I can't help but still be thankful.  And I know that this year, we'll still keep the tradition because there are many things to be thankful for.

I thank God everyday for a new day.  I'm thankful for all the love that surrounds me.  The love that I witness on a daily basis.  I've mentioned before how I start my day by reading blogs.  My favorite is Tyler's page.  I'm thankful for his words.  This is why:

"It's when the snow falls that you can hear the sound of the whole entire universe.  It's when the smallest things move us in the biggest ways.  When your breath can be stolen by something that may go completely unnoticed to every one else.  There, in the moments between moments, the distance from snowflake to earth, is the reason why we're here.  It's up to us to choose to fill those moments, that distance, with positivity and love, not negativity and hate.  There is so much cynicism and pessimism in the world, why on earth would we add to it?" (Tyler Knott - Posted Nov. 24, 2010.)

          

I agree.  There is so much cynicism and pessimism in this world.  I should add that there's so much sorrow and tragedy in this world.  And that's why on this page, in this blog, I try to leave all of that behind.  Because I do believe that despite all the ugliness and bad things there are out there, there is so much more goodness and beauty ... and those are the things worth seeing.   

So, this year, I want to celebrate all the good and beautiful things in my life.  Because when times are bad, those are the things that I want to remember.  Those are the things that get me through the day.  It is those things that I choose to see.  It is those things that I choose to fill the "moments between moments."  So, here's to all that I am thankful for:

*my family's silent togetherness. jordan's laugh, and watching him sing praise. lourdes's cheery good morning every time i walk through the door of coffee bean, and her ability to always remember just how i like my latte. my grandma. my colleague and mentor who believes in me, encourages me, and pushes me - always. my mom's strength. my dad's thoughtfulness. my stepdad. for who he was. and always will be to us. my stepmom. and her humble reinforcement. my brothers' courage to be who they are, and to stand up for what they believe in. my sister-in-law's patience and endurance to sit through hours listening and talking to me. i love our talk-marathons. cassie's hugs. and laugh. and her "i love you" post-it notes. my sister. because she's beautiful and loving in her quiet ways. forgiveness. and the opportunity to say "i'm sorry" after many, many years. reuniting with old friends. finally getting the answers. missy's "i'm tired of it and get over it" speech. emily giffin's books. listening to my sunday school boys' prayers. dry -  woke me up. the beautiful, constant but always-changing sky. my readers. old, life-long friends. A's texts - and their perfect timing.  his psychic ability to know when i need a smile or just need to know that someone thought of me. susan's ability to always know just when i need her. wednesday. this blog. my writing group.  the boys and their unfailing ability to be there when i need something, and how they always let me know they care.  my aunt and her tireless support.  my cousins' hugs at my time of much-needed comfort.  and so much more ...*     

Geez, I could've gone on and on.  And that feels wonderful.  Makes me realize even more how beautiful life is.  And how lucky I am.  So, this Thanksgiving, I hope you have the opportunity to reflect and recognize the beauty in your life.  Remember that it's the little things that fill this world, and it's the moments between moments that make it beautiful.                                 

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm thankful to all of you for reading ... and for being my daily inspiration to continue writing. 

*I'm actually beginning to like this no-Internet-at-home thing, so I'm going to ride it out as long as possible.
*photo of girl and snow by silent sequoias