Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I am ready, mostly. My elastic waistband pants are clean and ready to wear. I’ve got yummy food planned for Thursday through Sunday. That’s right — Thanksgiving is a four-day food fest in my home. Glorious, glorious food. And it’s all mine! Cue maniacal laugh.
Well, it will be, provided I nip this little bout of the sniffles before it morphs into something worse. Even though I oddly (and somewhat annoyingly) don’t lose my appetite when ill, I won’t waste effort and money cooking and baking things I cannot taste. 🙂 Thus, I’m using all my tried and true DIY cold remedies to defeat my sneezing and wheezing, so I can devour a pile of mashed potatoes and stuffing on Thursday. But before I slurp some more chicken noodle soup, I want to share a few things that I am grateful for this Thanksgiving.
I am Thankful for …
Gratitude plays a big role in my life, which means sometimes I neglect it terribly. But it does always live in my heart and these days I am grateful more than ever.
- Freedom. I may not be happy with the outcome of the election, but I am incredibly grateful to live in a country where I can express my feelings. Even days when I feel worried, angry or fearful, I still believe in this great country and in my ability to make a real difference.
- Good people. Yup, we are seeing the worst come out of some people, and we’re also seeing people stand up against hate and misogyny. Two things that have existed since time began but they are often overlooked today, yet simmered underneath and influenced our thoughts and actions. Let’s shine a light on them and expose their ugly myths, including how they hurt us and make us weaker, not stronger.
- Great books and fellow book nerds. Reading has always been a somewhat secret passion. I was also in a bit of a rut, reading the same authors and genres. But thanks to Jana and Steph and their amazing Show Us Your Books Link-Up, my TBR is bigger than me and I have been introduced to so many new authors and books. Best of all, I connected with so many fellow book lovers and made some great new friends.
- My supportive family. We survived a week together in May when my parents and my brother’s family visited me, which was a kind of crazy, good insanity. I am blessed with a great family and know not everyone is as fortunate. We not only get along with each other but help each out and cheer each other on. They are the best, period.
- Max, aka the Coolest Cat in the World. Seriously, it’s his comment handle on Eat Laugh Purr. I am grateful that he allows me to cater to his every whim. That he willingly endures constant adoration and permits me to spoil him terribly. He came into my life during a time where I cried more than smiled and he helped me find joy again.
- You, dear reader. Blogging is great fun but it also takes a lot effort. And you keep me going, from your supportive comments, shared wisdom and inclusion into your community. It’s a real privilege. I appreciate everyone who stops by, whether or not you comment, although please comment if you’ve been too shy to do so before now. I am friendly, mostly. 😉
- And elastic waistbands. One can never, ever, be too grateful for elastic waistbands!
We are More Alike, than Unlike
Before I sign off for the week and start cooking, eating and reading, I have one request. As you sit down with family and/or friends this Thanksgiving, look around the table and really see the people you break bread with. There are some differences, some seemingly too big to overcome. I feel that way sometimes too. But then I remember Maya Angelou’s great poem, Human Family and we are more alike, than unlike, my friends.
Be bold and share it. You might open some minds and hearts. And most all — live it.
Get Your Feast On …
I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving, surrounded by good food and people you love. If you still need help with your Thanksgiving menu, check out my 2016 Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up. It’s full of great appetizers, side dishes, bread and desserts. Err … no turkey recipes because I have cooking turkey fear. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tanya
Happy Thanksgiving! I am not prepared at all, as in we’re planning on handling cooking (sides and dessert – my mom is going to acquire a main dish) and we have no recipes or grocery list prepared. 😛 Wednesday! I do, however, have many pairs of elastic pants, so I suppose I’m prepared in at least one department.
I love your thankfulness list and you make a really good point about freedom. I was reading a news article about yet another thing that’s “banned” in North Korea, and while this election might be horrendous and ridiculous, we are all here letting the world, and our president elect know exactly what we think about it. How exactly would you enforce a ban on sarcasm, anyway?
My family always goes around the table and each person says what they’re thankful for (although my sisters don’t come home for Thanksgiving anymore, but we’ll probably skype at some point) and that’s one of my favorite traditions. This year has been incredibly roller-coastery for me personally, but there’s a ton to be thankful for and I’m looking forward to focusing on those positives as we head into the new year. 😀
I love that you go around the table and have everyone say what they are grateful for – that’s an awesome tradition. I’ve attended a few friendsgivings where we have done that. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
I, too, do not lose my appetite when sick. Everyone else loses all this weight and I’m stuck with dull taste buds, still craving all the things I normally want! Haha!
Sometimes its hard to be thankful when we have anger and fear and anxiety weighing on our minds. Thanksgiving arrives at the perfect time- I’m glad I’m being forced to remember all the wonderful things in my life. There really are too many to list and I should remember that, even on my worst days 🙂 Your Max sounds like my little Enzo. He is the dog-version of my soulmate <3
*Thank you for your thoughtful, kind comments on my blog today! I'll respond more thoroughly over there soon, but I wanted to say thanks! I've glad we've discovered one another's space!
Okay, I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who doesn’t lose their appetite when ill. Max is my kitty soulmate and spoiled rotten. And I love it! Enzo is lucky to have you as his Mama! I’m so glad we found one another’s space to Audrey! It’s what I love so much about blogging. 🙂
Every thankful thing, I was like, YEP! 🙂
Elastics pants can’t be thanked for enough during the holidays 🙂 haha
Hope you have a great holiday week!!!
Thanks, Rebecca Jo! I had a great holiday week and I give thanks for elastic pants year-round, which is probably not a great thing. LOL!
hahaha get your turkey pants ready! elastic pants are the best invention ever, aren’t they?
have a great thanksgiving!
Thanks, Kathy! And yes! Elastic pants are great. Too great, in fact!
I love your thankful list. This year, especially, I am thankful to live in a country where we are allowed and encouraged to speak our minds and use our voices to affect change.
I, too, am thankful for books and my diverse group of friends, on and offline, and elastic pants for sure.
Me too, Jana. While I’ve always been grateful that we have free speech, I also didn’t appreciate it enough and took it for granted. But this year, I am incredibly grateful that we have that privilege and right.
Happy Thanksgiving Tanya to you and your family! Enjoy all the good food, company and elastic waist pants!
Thanks, Nancy! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!
Happy Thanksgiving! Are you in LA for the holiday? I’m trying to eat light this week so I don’t feel guilty on Thurs. :0
I was in LA for Thanksgiving but I’m going home for Christmas. I’d like to say that I also ate light in anticipation but I didn’t. 🙁
I also do not lose my appetite when I got sick. Lol, why?? 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving and cheers to pants with elastic waistbands!
It’s not fair, you know. You’re sick and not in the mood to cook but so hungry. Grrrr … and Max refuses to cook for me. 😀 And big cheers for elastic waistbands! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!
When I’m sick, all I want to eat is mashed potatoes, and the more mashed potatoes, the better 🙂
This is a fantastic, well-rounded list, and I can relate to it. Happy Thanksgiving, Tanya!
Kindred spirits here. I love mashed potatoes and they are my ultimate comfort food! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you, Tanya. Sending many hugs your way!
Thank you, Laurie! Appreciate the hugs and sending some back to you too, my friend!