Brace yourselves. Thanksgiving week is upon us. I’ve got a daily to-do list plotted out like a military commander preparing for battle.
Food to be prepared in various stages, cleaning and organizing to be done and any final trips to the store ( an adventure unto itself).
Of course I will start each day with some kind of workout ’cause that keeps me balanced and sane in a busy week 😉 For the past few years I’ve headed out before the morning gets started for a quick run, no music, no distractions, just me on the road watching the sunrise and thinking about all the ways I’m blessed in my life. Basically, getting centered before the day takes off and gets busy.
Thanksgiving is a day to reflect and think on how much we have and how blessed we are. If you’re reading this post from another place in our vast world and you are of course, not, celebrating Thanksgiving I hope you at least leave this post thinking in a new way about the good things you have each day in your own life =)
I got to thinking the other morning when I hopped in my car and started it how grateful I am for that… just having my car start. Pretty simple, right? You expect it, right ?
Years ago, in tighter times, we drove some really uh…classic… cars… haha a nice way of saying they weren’t super fancy but (usually) got us where we were going… actually some of them were horrible 😛 And there were many times I hopped in and the crazy thing didn’t start.
I remember one year, we were sooo poor, our car had died and a car dealership in town was “giving” away various cars. You showed up, put your name in a drawing for the chance to get it. If you won the “free” car you just had to pay tax, title and license on it. I was down there with a zillion other people.
They called my name. I squealed. I never win anything. I got evil eyed stares from others who were hoping to get the car.
I waited and wondered what our new wheels would look like.. something small? Sporty? It didn’t matter… we were gonna have a car.
Then they pulled it around. It had leaves all in the windshield. It was dirty.
It was huge. Massive.
It was a Plymouth Fury. Solid steel and could probably hold a football team. My brother was with me and checked it out under the hood and we took it for a test drive.
It handled with the efficiency of an army tank. The hood was probably 12 feet in front of me. It seemed unending.
And for 120.00 it was mine and we drove it home. I had never felt so grateful.
We christened it with the name White Fang… don’t even ask me …why ?? ’cause I don’t remember. I just seemed deserving to have a name.
We fixed it up and used it for quite awhile before we sold it and blessed someone else with it 😉
So I just got to thinking besides being grateful for cars that start, all the simple, sometimes ordinary things, in my life I take for granted but really am grateful for. This is by no means an exhaustive list….
Waking up and being given another day at this thing called….life.
Feeling my heart beat.
My health, my strength, and physical abilities I’ve developed. My body can run, lift, ride a bike and do so many things. I never take that for granted.
Eyes to see, ears to hear, senses to explore the world around me.
My God and My Savior who has given me life.
My beautiful children and grandchildren.
My awesome husband who loves me, supports me, cheerleads me, tells me I can do anything I put my mind to, tells me I’m sexy and still means it 😉 spoils me rotten, challenges me, listens to me when I need to vent, let’s me be myself and overall has always taken amazing care of me… how did I get so blessed with an amazing man for 33 years ?? Seriously.
Then there’s all those other things in life (we) I take for granted…..
an abundance of good foods, the ability to shop and buy those foods, a closet of nice clothes and shoes, a beautiful home with things in it to make me comfy, air for when it’s hot or cold to make the house cozy, my bed! snuggling with my pillow, the feel of my husband against my body, hot showers, waking up to the smell of coffee ’cause I can set the timer to have it waiting for me in the morning (spoiled!)
Our country and all the blessings and good things we’re afforded here.
Music. Is there life without it ?
A variety of friends in all ages.
People who believe in you.
My church home and family I love there.
Chocolate. Fresh bread. Summer strawberries and watermelon. A perfect banana. The smell of homemade cookies coming out of the oven. Turkey cooking on Thanksgiving morning.
Soft, thick sweaters on cold days.
Blustery, crisp fall days.
An unexpected card or message from a friend.
Resources that meet my needs.
The sound of my husband sleeping next to me.
People who make me smile and laugh.
The ability to love and feel emotions.
Long talks with good friends.
The loud and sometimes crazy chaos when allll the family is gathered together.
Sloppy clothes, a fire, and a hot cup of coffee on a dreary day.
The sound of my husbands voice.
Laughter.
Seeing an old friend.
Unexpected gifts.
A perfect sunny day.
Long hugs. Soft kisses.
Random lazy days.
Bubble baths.
I guess I could go on and if you’re with me to this point, thanks for reading this far. Hopefully, I’ve made you think a little bit about the things in life that might seem common or ordinary or maybe that we think we’re “entitled” to when really, everything we have is a blessing.
What are you thankful for ?
sassyfitnesschick 