Happy Thanksgiving!!

For those in the US, Happy Thanksgiving! So so much to be grateful for. My parents taught me the practice of gratitude, although it took me many years to put that into practice :)

Being grateful is a practice, sometimes a moment by moment practice. For decades of my dad's life, he was in pain daily. Some days less, some days more. But the pain was always there. He taught me you can be in pain, but you don't have to be a pain. He was grateful to wake up each day, have a spouse and kids he loved dearly.

My mom was always grateful to spend time with those she loved, and creating something for someone who was in need - gloves, hats, scarves, blankets, afghans. She taught me the importance and joy of giving.

Thanksgivings growing up were always filled with lots of family, food, laughter, angst (what are the holidays without some form of angst?) and fun. When Mom was sick, my sister and I made them be the best we could. 

Holidays are what we make of them. Mom's last Thanksgiving my sis and bro-in-law went to the memory care facility and FaceTimed me in so I could be part of it - that was 2 years ago. Mom passed 5 weeks after, in the midst of a major polar vortex! That year's Thanksgiving I spent alone and went to a restaurant that makes Thanksgiving dinner free for everyone. I sat and ate with a single mom and her son. It was touching, humbling and wonderful. This Thanksgiving will be spent with friends who I have known for almost 20 years - touching, humbling and wonderful :) I know I will drink in each moment spent with these dear people. If Mom's illness taught me nothing else, it taught me to take nothing for granted, to be fully present and grateful for each moment, and find love and laughter even in the toughest of times.

I definitely miss my mom, but she is with me. I see her in dandelion wishes, flowers that bloom in 40 degree weather, stars on freezing cold mornings, in friends eyes.

We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!