Shut Up And Say Thank You

It's Thanksgiving Day.  Time for pie.  Oh yeah, and turkey, dressing, cranberries, ham, gravy, assorted casseroles, and those yummy yeast rolls that melt the butter on them into a deliciousness unmatched in the history of the world.

Families gather together to share this holiday, with all their baggage.  We all carry around the bits and pieces of our childhood with us, and this does affect the way we view our families, especially when we are all crammed into one house, one room for hours.  Some conversation will be stilted, awkward, or downright uncomfortable. Other conversations will be comfortable, like a soft, fluffy sweater that warms you on a cold day.

Families are like that.

Maybe today, however, we should be thankful for the discomfort of our family.

Maybe today, instead of spending an hour arguing with Uncle Fred about his vote in the election, just shut up. Listen to what he has to say, even if you don't agree.  Tell him thank you for sharing his opinion.

Maybe today, when Aunt Vera asks you for the 458th time why you aren't married or why you don't you have any kids yet?  Shut your mouth on that snippy retort which will hurt her feelings. Say thank you, and tell her that you appreciate her concern.

Maybe today, while you're on the couch squeezed in between your cousin George and your Uncle Mac, who could both stand to lose a few pounds, shut your mouth on that irritated comment.  Get up and move if your arms have fallen asleep, but let them watch the game.

Families are tied together by more than DNA, and we should be grateful for that.  Those same people who make you uncomfortable or irritated are also the people who will stand by you, no matter what you look like, or who you bring home.  That's what family does, and we are going to need that in the coming days.  There's a lot of anger, hatred, and isolation out in the world right now, and we need to hold our loved ones closer than ever in the coming days.

Changing the world starts with a single person. A single person who is thankful for what they have in their lives, and who wants to share that gratitude.  What better place to start than now, in your own family?

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's that time of the year again.  Time for turkey and family and football games.  Last year, this time, I had just got out of the hospital after a mastectomy.  I was at home, a drain coming out of my chest, high on pain meds and not really up for company.

This year, I am done with chemo and radiation.  I can actually taste most foods now, which is awesome.  My appetite is almost back completely.  I am ready for this holiday this year, with so much to be thankful for.  And I wish all of you a healthy, happy, wonderful Thanksgiving.  Remember that pumpkin pie is good for you!

1. Name a color you are thankful for.  Purple. Majestic, gorgeous, enchanting, purple.
2. Something your spouse does that you are thankful for.  Larry reads to Zane every night.  He does all the voices of the characters, and patiently answers questions.  I love that.
3. Something your kids do that you are thankful for.  My kid is never in a bad mood for very long.  He might cry or get angry, but within five minutes, he is back on an even keel.  I so wish that I could be more like him and let go of negative feelings that easily!
4. A food you are thankful for.  Cheese.  Because, cheese.
5. What recent good news are you thankful for? My last PET scan came back cancer free!
6. Name a drink you are thankful for.  There's nothing like a nice glass of iced tea on a hot day.
7. Name a restaurant you are thankful for.  The 410 Diner in San Antonio, Texas, has the best snapper artichoke on planet Earth. 
8. Talk about an animal you are thankful for.  I love all animals, but cats are my favorite.  Their grace, their independence, their problem solving skills, the total package.  I'm grateful that Isobel, my first cat, decided I was worthy.
9. Name a beauty product you are thankful for.   Hand lotion.  My skin has been itchy since chemo, and I would scratch my skin right off if I didn't have it. 
10. Name a cleaning product you are thankful for.   Clorox wipes are awesome.  I can clean a bathroom in record time, which is good, because I hate to clean bathrooms.
11. What social media platform are you thankful for? Facebook has been a great way for me to share stories with my extended family, who live all over the country.  I'm grateful for that, especially since if not for Facebook, I would have never known that the BCRA1 gene runs in my family!
12. Tell us why you are thankful for the last person who texted you.  That would be my husband, and I couldn't have survived the last year without him.
13. Name a candy you are thankful for.  Almond Joys are awesome.  Yes, lots of calories, but they're the good kind of fats. I don't feel a bit guilty about eating the whole bag.  Just kidding.  No I'm not.
14. Name an app on your phone that you are thankful for.  Plants vs. Zombies 2.  A fun, addicting game with cute flowers and adorable zombies. A great brain break when I'm overwhelmed, and I am grateful for it!
15. What are you looking forward to that you are thankful for? I am looking forward to being finished with all of my surgeries, which won't be until sometime in 2016.  That's going to be the hardest one.  I'll be thankful to have that behind me!


In between stuffing yourself with turkey, check out Mamakat's Writer's Workshop
I chose two prompts:  4. What were you doing last year at this time? and 2. Answer the So Very Thankful tag questions found here! 
 

A Song Of Thanksgiving

Mamakat's Prompt: Write a poem about something you're thankful for this Thanksgiving. Okay. I'll give it a shot. Nobody said that it has to be a good poem!

I am blessed, and rightly thankful, for the many treasures in my life.
I gather my blessings close to my heart, like little candles, to light my way in the darkness.

The smell of coffee drifting up the stairs, a siren's song
A cat sitting on my pillow, demanding breakfast
The joyful sounds of my son, playing a knight, or a hero
My husband's voice.

A cloud in the shape of an angel's wing high in the morning sky
The surprise of a favorite song playing on the radio
Watching my brother's children grow tall and wise
Sunday dinners with the family.

A cat curled on top of the printer while I type
An ocean full of stars in the night sky
The smile of a sleepy child after a long day
"I love you, Mama".

And waking up to this day, snuggled together, my husband, my son, and I
My heart overflows.