"If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for
what he's going to get."
Frank A. Clark
I admit that this week I have not been in the best of moods. I was also full of gas, so I do wonder if the two go hand in hand. I thought it was PMS, but that wasn't true. I thought that it was all the rain we had this week, which might have been a partial reason, but not the full reason. Then I realized....it's the holiday season.
For me, good, bad, or indifferent, holiday's equal family. I was talking with a friend of mine today, and realized that in my 34 years, I have always managed to spend Thanksgiving with family. That is a long track record, even for adults. There are traditions tied to this day for me; there are smells, sounds, and sweaters that made me happy. Even when I'm ready to choke my parents for running late, or sitting in traffic on the way to Wisconsin laughing with my brother,Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.
My Thanksgiving last year, I knew that I was going to go overseas. A couple of months prior, I went to see The Help with my mom, and at the end of the movie, watching Viola Davis walk away from her career and begin to live her life fully, I felt what her character was feeling: a sense of uncertainty about a new path, but understanding that it was her time to move on. Despite all the drama and the stress of my last job, I loved it. I also knew that I could have stayed there forever. But I did feel that it was just my time to go. And when you love what you do to let it go for an unknown future, all you can say to God is please help me understand and trust.
That year I went to Wisconsin with my mom and dad. My dad was a classic backseat driver, my mom was nervous about traffic, and I wanted to scream because we were leaving an hour later than what I wanted to. When we finally did get on the road, everyone relaxed a little bit, I put on music that managed to make my parent's happy, and we made it to dinner about 2 hours late. However, the ride back was my best memory. My dad sat up front with me, and we ended up taking Highway 41 back to Indiana due to a traffic accident coming back into the Chicago area. Figuring out where to go without the aid of a GPS or Onstar, we were in our element. Although it was a drive about an hour longer than what it needed to be, the time spent laughing and talking with my dad and my mom dozing in the back, made me happy. Being able to drive my parent's around was refreshing.
For me that is what holidays are all about. I could dwell in the things that frustrate me so about going to relative houses, or the traffic, or any number of things that manage to piss me off a little bit about the holiday season. But the memories I cherish our those simple moments that just bring a smile to my face. I am thankful for that, because it is those memories that sustain me during times when I'm feeling a little blue and homesick. Those are also the times that help me appreciate even more the opportunities that have come into my life in this present, and what is going to happen in my future.
As I am writing this, my mom is probably baking zucchini bread or some dessert. The turkey my dad always slow roasts on the grill has been on there since they went to church this morning. My brother DJ and his family are probably going to Lena's parent's first and then manage to do a lot of drive-by's. Tanisha and the kids are getting ready to go spend this holiday with my maternal side of the family. I'm missing out on family friendly jokes, video games, and food, food, food. But I am thankful for those memories. I am thankful for their prayers and encouragement. But I am also so thankful for where my life is, where it is going, and the adventure and blessings that await. Being thankful for everything is what this life is all about. I am truly grateful and thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
