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Starting Thanksgiving Day Early
Don’t you just despise when the ads for Christmas come up in October!? I certainly do, although I love the secular celebrations of Christmas. But lately I’ve been in a funk, and I hate being there. It’s so boring and debilitating. I remembered, however, that not only is November my birthday month (which I celebrate for at least a month, although I usually start the month on my birthday), I figured that this year I would have a double blast: my birthday and Thanksgiving! Only I’d start Thanksgiving a month ahead of time! That’s almost two months total of rejoicing!
This will not be easy. Even now I want to complain about anything that comes into view. But I’m going to resist the temptation. No old-age complaints, no election complaints—well, see, I can’t stop myself! I know in the end, however, that a heavy burden will be lifted from my soul, and I will be freer to appreciate my life. Here are my plans for the next three weeks to celebrate Thanksgiving, starting now:
I will revel in the wonderful friends I have.
I will enjoy writing, and try to focus on the positive.
I will savor the dinners that my husband generously cooks for me.
I will smile at and greet every single person at the gym.
I will smile at every clerk at every store and thank them for their efforts.
I will thank every military person that I encounter.
I will seek hugs from those who like to give them.
I will enjoy the beauty of my gorgeous orchids that greet me every day.
I will note the new things I am learning every day.
I will rejoice that Daylight Savings Time ends this week-end and I will soon be walking in the morning light.
I will notice that I am alive and breathing, and in some ways, I am already walking in the light.
I have so much to be thankful for!
If you want to join me in this early Thanksgiving celebration, come on in!
[photo courtesy of unsplash.com]
Published in Culture
Susan, from the bottom of my heart Thank You! I often tell my friends that God has to hit me with a 2×4 at least three times for me to listen. Thank you for being #3 this week. Long story short – I have been angry since the beginning of Covid. Lots of reasons but I have been angry on the inside all the time. It sucks by the way. So anyways
#1 – small group Bible study on Sunday I felt the call to share that I have trouble allowing people in (home and heart). Big step for me as I tend to be close with my feelings.
#2 – Met with our new Pastors on Monday about concerns I had with our church. They could see the obvious pain on my face and gave me the confidence to open up. They have been with us for two months and this life long member just feels comfortable with them already.
#3 – Your OP – oh my gosh, the feeling I had reading your Thanksgiving month just floored me! I accept your invitation and will do my best to follow your list closely myself.
I will add that I will do my best to unlock my door and hopefully (eventually?) put out my welcome mat “Ring the Bell and let me sing the song of my people” – The Dog. (Everytime I see that mat in the magazine Signals I smile deeply.)
So thank you for being God’s 2×4 to this man on his journey.
He uses the same 2×4 on me! I’m so touched by your comment, and deeply moved that you would share your experiences. You’ve given me a gift. Maybe we can rest in the back of each other’s mind to spur on one another.
Hey, 10 out of 11 ain’t bad.
The timing of the post is interesting. We’re just a few days now from an election and, of course, everyone is trying to get your attention and focusing on how bad the other guy is, how things are bad and bad because of the other guy, etc. So it’s kind of a toxic moment that threatens to choke anyone who is reading their email, on certain social media, watching TV. So the post reminds us that there are things out there to be enjoyed. Most of them are free or modest cost and are not particularly affected by monetary inflation. While progressive are pursuing the GREAT RESET, just pursue your own small personal reset. Tune out the noise. If Tuesday goes like you want it to go, raise a glass and celebrate a win. But remember that there are disappointments ahead, so focus on the things that don’t disappoint. Keep your humor and enjoy.
I’ll offer a grateful toast to that.
Deal!
I am a big fan of Thanksgiving. That’s probably because eating is one of the things that I am really good at, but the giving thanks part is really important as well. It is necessary to step back and acknowledge that we couldn’t have done this all on our own and give thanks to the ones who make our lives better.
Thanks from another one who needed to read this. I will be trying to do the same! Much needed reminder. Maybe this is something we should all try to make into an annual practice.
You are so welcome, Kelly. I’ll put you in the back of my brain with Bunsen, and we can all support each other!
I’ll do the same with both of you!
This is going to be an interesting Thanksgiving for us this year because it may just be the two of us. Thinking of making turkey subs instead of the usual bird . . .
Maybe do a turkey breast and have the meat left over for subs?
I have to admit that I would at least do the turkey breast if only my husband and I were there. And a small batch of stuffing, mashed potatoes and my home-made cranberry sauce (even though my husband doesn’t eat it). Fortunately we will be having a small group over.
BTW, I thought about my Thanksgiving promise when I was at the gym–almost missed a couple of people!
I thought I saw “woman caught in men’s locker room “I was just saying hi!”” on Fox Business this morning!
Just don’t tell anyone else!
We will invite 3-5 folks with no place to go.
Lemme see . . . turkey breast, package of mashed potatoes, Stovetop stuffing, tube of bisquits, gravy from a jar . . . sounds like a plan!
Close enough! Enjoy!
Here’s a question – is my family the only ones that have pretty much anything other than Turkey for Thanksgiving? Over the years I’ve done a prime rib roast, beef and pork tenderloin, ham, horseradish roast, and perhaps one of the favorites ever – surf and turf, with ribeyes and king crab legs. I like stuffing (usually cornbread with andoulie sausage) and some of the other fixins, but I have a long term negative relationship with roasted turkey.
Perhaps I’ve deprived my wife and kids, but I’ve yet to hear any of them complain.
It’s the only time we have roasted turkey, so it’s a treat for us. But I’m in favor of people having whatever they desire. Your meals sound yummy!
That is lovely. And now I am now thankful in the knowledge that I am not the only person who will smile when DST is packed away for the winter. Thanks, Susan!
We go with something that we do not usually have–sometimes that’s turkey, but often it’s a special roast or a nice spiral ham. One year it was trout.
Let’s pray it is like old bears and just doesn’t wake up next year!
I was asking myself about the difference from just silently expressing gratitude throughout the day and this Thanksgiving practice. I’m doing both. I think the latter, for me, is not just about a specific occurrence, but a more universal expression of thanks, for my entire life, in this moment. So they are similar, but different. Just letting Bunsen and Kelly know that I kept you in my thoughts this week-end.
Ok, even though they were democrats (the masks gave it away), I did thank the election judges for their hard work and wished them a great day.
And the two workers at the store I encountered (I usually go at 7 in the morning for a muffin so not a lot of people there yet), “Good Morning”.
Reveled in the lunar eclipse this morning, just wow.
Good for you, Bunsen. I don’t know if we could see that eclipse in FL. If so, I missed it!
I always wave at people who drive by me on my walks. It just seems like lots of them actually waved back and smiled this morning–or waved before I did! I think we create a kind of positive energy when we try to make those kinds of connections. I don’t know that for sure, but I choose to believe it!
I have started waving at cars on my walks, but since it is dark (thanks Daylight Savings!) I can’t see if they wave back. I like to think they do.
You must go out really early! With the time change, the sun is up for me.
I take my 13yo Lab out at 5 AM and then out for my walk about 5:30. Fall sunrises can’t be beat!