Do We Even Know What Thankfulness Means?

Today is Thanksgiving, and I'm sure that by this time of the day turkey has been carefully roasted, potatoes have been boiled and mashed, green beans have been transformed into a 'casserole', and pies aplenty have been baked to perfection and all consumed.

But, are we really thankful?  Are we thankful everyday, like we say we are, or do we just store it up for today - for a day off (for most), for a time of travel, for paltry pleasantries, for forced 'traditions', and family reunions?

Are any of us really acknowledging the help the Native Americans offered to the Pilgrims, without which the outcome of this country right now may be very different?  Do we recognize that, right now, Native Americans are doing what most of claim WE WOULD DO, which is exercise our rights as American citizens?  Be brave enough to protest peacefully?  To stand up to Goliath, so to speak?  Did you get hosed by freezing water today?  Did you have clean water to bathe in today, to drink with your massive meal?

We all love the heartwarming story of the woman who accidentally invited a total stranger to dinner, thinking she had texted her grandson.  How many of you would invite a total stranger, no matter their color, sexual orientation, political beliefs, physical appearance, health, income status or religious beliefs (or lack thereof)?

Do you put your money where your mouth is?  Do know what organizations you support and why?  Are you willing to help, really help, those less fortunate than you or do you just view people who are having hardships as scum and freeloaders?  Really - what does your heart say?  Do you walk the walk or just talk the talk.  Are you all talk and no action?  Do you post Facebook statuses claiming to "Always choose to be kind" but know that you don't?  Are you rude to others in public because you're an entitled customer and 'are always right'?

Christ - the head of this house - The unseen host at every meal, The silent listener at every conversation.

I feel that thankfulness is to be acknowledged 12 months, 365 days, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day  in ACTION.  When you realize that you really have nothing to complain about, when ALL of your needs are met, when you have a roof over your head, food to eat every day, are in good health, are warm when it's cold and dry when it's wet - it's time to look outside of yourself and around to the needs of others.

Help someone.  Use your manners.  Feed someone.  Make a donation of money and/or time to a worthy organization.  Be patient with others.  Smile at someone, dammit!  Try having perspective - attempt to understand the struggles of others.  Be empathetic.  DO SOMETHING.

 Make being thankful a verb.  And do it.

Taking My Time

I have never been the kind of person that 'rushes'.  I don't perform better under pressure, as a lot of people do.  I cannot multi-task.  My brain does not very easily or very successfully go in three different directions at the same time.  I don't like feeling pressured.  I like to be prompt - on time.  What needs to get done will get done, but I'm not necessarily 'under the gun' to do it.

If I feel like I'm running late, there's a very good chance that a.) an article of clothing will be put on backwards and/or inside out, b.) a crucial item such as car keys will be missing in plain sight and I will become temporarily blind in the frenzy of being on time and not being able to locate such necessary item, or c.) I will become really cranky and snappy.  Nobody, especially me, wants that - again.  Yes, I was out shopping for myself and was really taking much more time than I allowed myself and was in my car in traffic when I realized my shirt was on inside-out and backwards and I had just run several errands since I tried on clothes in the thrift store. Or, when my son was in preschool and I had been engrossed in a magazine while his little sister was napping and I realized that it was time to pick him up and I could not find the car keys.  I looked everywhere.  Mind you, my house is the size of a shoe box.  I looked and looked.  The clock ticked.  Oh, God, I'm late.  Where are they?!  Hard to see now because of the tears.  They're going to think I forgot him.  I'm a horrible mother.  Why did I have to read that stinking magazine?  Relief! Found them! On the back of the toilet. And yes, I was the last mother at the school to collect her child.  Um, no need to get into the crankiness and snappishness of being irritated at being late - I'm sure the hubs and kids have a story or two.

All of that being said, I like to just focus on the task at hand.  If I'm folding laundry, I am all about that basket of clean clothes.  If I'm cooking, I am talking to myself and making sure that I am looking at the right recipe in the cookbook and not mixing up recipes on opposite-facing pages of the cookbook, as I have been known to do (and yes, tears were involved).  And washing dishes.  I do not have a dishwasher.  My dishwasher consists of mine (and my husband's) hands and my handmade dishcloths.  I find it to be very relaxing to wash dishes.  I have a window, that overlooks my perennial garden, directly over my sink.  It's amazing how quickly the task of washing dishes goes by when you can glance outside at flowers, birds, and butterflies.

www.etsy.com/shop/EmmasHeritage

And I don't mind waiting.  If I'm standing in line at a store and someone ahead of me in line needs a price check, or is writing out a check, or needs a rain check - yup, I just wait patiently.  If the doctor is running behind and I'm in the waiting room, I will read every magazine I can get my hands on *unless* they are golf related.

Time flies.  The kids grow up so quickly.  Now, the grandkids are growing up so quickly.  I want to enjoy everyday, not just blow through it.  I want to remember the day, not have it be a blur that I just 'got through'.  I think that's how memories are made.  I know that with my husband and kids, it's not necessarily the things we did or places we went that made a lasting impression.  The most memorable moments were made when we were just together.  Taking our time.